Kia Sorento (2015) Review

Kia Sorento (2015) At A Glance

Easy to drive. All-wheel drive as standard. Well-equipped. Capable tow car. Seven seats. Five star Euro NCAP rating. Excellent 8-speed auto from 2018.

KX-1 models lose some of the best equipment. Old 7-speed automatic has higher emissions than manual.

Real MPG average for a Kia Sorento (2015)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

Satisfaction Index

Reviews for Kia Sorento (2015)'s top 3 rivals

Skoda Kodiaq

Very quiet, comfortable and easy to drive. Practical, spacious cabin. Good value for money. 2018 Honestjohn.co.uk...

Kia Sportage

One of the best crossovers on the market, well-equipped, seven-year warranty, practical and spacious.

SEAT Ateca

Very comfortable and refined with impressive ride quality. Lots of room for those in the back along with...

Ask Honest John

What are the best medium-sized SUVs with 1800kg towing capability?

"Could you please advise me which are the best three medium SUV tow cars with 1800kg capability? I currently tow with a Kia Sorento, which is marvellous but is now too high off the ground for easy access by my wife who has developed mobility difficulties. I should be looking to buy secondhand with a budget of around £22,000. Many thanks."

We'd recommend a Skoda Kodiaq. It's a very capable tow car with all models capable of lugging up to 1800kg. Also consider another Kia Sorento or a premium alternative like the BMW X3.

Answered by Andrew Brady

Can you recommend a large car to replace my Discovery 3?

"I currently drive a Land Rover Discovery 3 (2004), which I'm looking to replace. I need something with a big boot for 2 large dogs and capable of towing a caravan. I love my Discovery not only for its capability but how comfortable and easy it is on a long journey. I'm looking at up to three years old with a max budget of £22,500 and assume a diesel is still the best option. I doubt there is an electric vehicle that can fulfil my needs but would be pleased if you can suggest one! Any suggestions welcome."

If it's a small, lightweight caravan and you regularly cover short journeys, a petrol or hybrid might be a better option. Otherwise, stick with a diesel. We'd recommend a Skoda Kodiaq – your budget will get a 2017 model with a 2.0-litre diesel engine and four-wheel drive. It's got a big boot and will be cheap to run, while its 2000kg towing capacity is enough for a fairly hefty caravan. We'd also recommend a Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe.

Answered by Andrew Brady

Can you recommend a used, seven-seater that's ULEZ compliant?

"I have a 2015 Land Rover Discovery 4. I live in London and it does not comply with the ULEZ regulations coming into force in October 2021. I need a second-hand seven-seater that does comply. I like the Disco 4 as it is roomy. Are there other makes that are comparable and ULEZ compliant? My budget is around £32,000? "

Skoda Kodiaq, Volvo XC90 or the Hyundai Santa Fe. All are large, comfortable and available with seven-seats. I would also add the Kia Sorento to the shortlist, it's the only model to come with a seven-year-warranty. A budget of £32,000 would get you a near-new Sorento with the majority of its warranty still left to run: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/cars-for-sale/search/Kia/Sorento/?l=0&p2=35000&s=PriceDesc

Answered by Dan Powell

I want a diesel SUV but the future looks grim in terms of resale value for diesels - do you suggest I go for petrol instead?

"I’ve just returned to the UK from New Zealand and planning to stay for three years. I was planning to buy a one or two-year-old Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento or Peugeot 5008 diesel. Good SUV with nice engines reviews. I would sell on when returning to New Zealand. Since I’ve arrived, I’m constantly being informed through the media not to touch diesels and the future looks grim from an on-sell perspective with higher than ‘normal’ depreciation likely. I’m fine buying petrol but I’m not seeing any good petrol engine reports on the mid-range, quality SUV. Your view would be welcomed."

Diesels often suit the size of SUVs you're looking at. It depends on the kind of mileage you do, though. Diesels are great for towing or for covering high motorway miles, but you'd be better with a petrol or hybrid if most of your miles are short journeys or around town.

Answered by Andrew Brady

On the inside of an Kia Sorento (2015)

• Boot space is 142–1662 litres
• Euro NCAP rating of five stars

The Kia Sorento looks big from the outside, so it’s no surprise its cabin is spacious. There are seven seats as standard and the rearmost pair are big enough – at a push – for adults, though children will be more comfortable in them, particularly on long journeys. The middle row is fine even for taller occupants.

When not in use the rear two seats fold flat into the boot floor, providing a large 605-litre load volume. Folding and unfolding them is very easy, thanks to simple pulls on the seat backs. They can be tugged up from the boot floor and locked in place with one hand, so if you’re carrying a load of bags or a crying child there’s no faffing around. Conveniently there is a space under the boot floor to store the load cover.

The boot is large enough for big, bulky items, but it does have a high load deck which can make life difficult when loading heavy objects. It might pose problems for dog owners too, since older or less brave pets will struggle to leap in. On the plus side, folding the middle row of seats frees up a huge 1662 litres, which is enough for awkward flat packs and other bulky items.

Up front the Sorento feels like a high-quality car. Most of the materials feel plush and luxurious, plus there are lots of big cubby holes and storage bins for drinks and other odds and ends. Even rear-seat passengers get USB connections and air conditioning controls, while up front there is plenty of technology to make life easier.

Entry-level KX-1 models miss out on the touchscreen system, but they still have Bluetooth for phone and audio streaming. There are also reversing sensors and alloy wheels, but we’d go for a higher equipment grade. KX-2 models offer a good blend of price and equipment, gaining a touchscreen system with navigation, cruise control and leather upholstery.

The best equipment comes with the top trim KX-4 model, which gets a 360-degree around-view monitor to help with reversing or manoeuvring in tight spaces. It also comes with adaptive cruise control that maintains a safe distance to the car in front, blind spot warning and smart parking assistance, which can park the car automatically.

Standard Equipment:

KX-1 trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels,  roof rails, tinted glass, LED-running lights, wiper de-icers, air-conditioning, steering wheel mounted controls, front and rear electric windows, cruise control with speed limiter, six-speaker audio system with DAB, USB and AUX inputs, Bluetooth and reversing sensors.

KX-2 adds larger 18-inch alloy wheels, auto lights and wipers, leather upholstery, heated front and outer middle-row seats, dual-zone climate control, electric parking brake (auto only), seven-inch touchscreen with navigation, reversing camera plus optional self-levelling suspension.

KX-3 adds panoramic glass roof, xenon headlights, adaptive front light system, LED tail lights, power adjustable driver’s seat, keyless entry and start, electric tailgate, premium audio system, eight-inch touchscreen system with navigation, seven-inch TFT instrument cluster screen and a lane departure warning, speed limiter.

KX-4 is the top trim level and comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, grey or black leather upholstery, 10-way adjustable driver’s seat with four way electrically operated lumbar support, eight-way adjustable front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, rear side window blinds, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree around view monitor, smart park assist, blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert. 

Child seats that fit a Kia Sorento (2015)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

Which car seat will suit you?

Driving Kia Sorento (2015)

• Engines range from 2.2 CRDi Automatic to 2.2 CRDi
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 26–41 mpg

The Kia Sorento is available with just one engine choice –a 2.2-litre diesel. It’s powerful, producing 200PS and 440Nm of torque with emissions of 149g/km and economy of 49.5mpg in the KX-1. That’s thanks to its smaller 17-inch wheels - opting for larger 18- or 19-inch wheels reduces economy to 46.3mpg and increases emissions to 161g/km, while the automatic produces 177g/km and is capable of 42.2mpg.

All models have all-wheel drive as standard and it’s a capable system for dirt tracks or slippery surfaces. It lacks selectable low range or locking differentials for proper off-road use, but for occasional adventures across fields it’s perfectly decent. It also provides added peace-of-mind on the road in poor weather.

The Sorento performs very well on tarmac. It’s refined, with little noise intruding into the cabin save for a bit of engine grumbling when accelerating hard. The ride quality isn’t too bad, though it is slightly on the firm side over the very worst surfaces. Thankfully that does mean body roll is kept at bay through bends for the most part, unless pushing on hard.

There’s a reassuring amount of traction in corners, so the Sorento is capable as well as easy-to-drive. Manual cars have a smooth gear change and a light clutch, but the automatic is smoother and easier still. It does comes at the expense of increased emissions, reduced economy and a lower tow-weight rating though, which might put some buyers off.

The Sorento has a braked trailer rating of 2500kg for the manual or 2000kg for the automatic. All but basic KX-1 models can be specified with optional self-levelling suspension, which alters the rear ride height depending on load. This is particularly useful for people who tow trailers and caravans, but it’s also beneficial to those who regularly drive a fully-laden car. 

Long term test

Kia Sorento KX-3 2.2 CRDi

Kia Sorento (2015) Models and Specs

Currently on sale

On sale until March 2018

Good

Bad

What to watch out for

Model History

• August 2014
• March 2015: Prices announced
• September 2017: Updated Kia Sorento for 2018 revealed
• January 2018: Kia Sorento GT-Line launched