2023 Kia Sorento 2.5 2WD 7-seater Review

The D-segment SUV market in Malaysia has become increasingly competitive in recent years, as family users' demand for spacious interiors and high-end features continues to rise. The 2023 Kia Sorento 2.5 2WD 7-seater version aims to target this niche market as a popular model. As an SUV focused on being "all-round family-friendly," it not only continues Kia's signature design language but also features targeted upgrades in safety configurations and ride comfort. This has led many consumers with a budget of around RM200,000 to consider it as a top choice. In this review, we will focus on evaluating its space practicality, whether its performance meets the needs of family users, and if its configuration advantages truly stand out in its class.

From the exterior, the design of this Sorento balances ruggedness and sophistication. The overall silhouette is square, with body lines extending from the hood to the rear, and a waistline running through the front and rear doors, paired with 18-inch alloy wheels, giving it a steady and imposing presence. The front features Kia’s iconic tiger-nose grille, adorned with chrome accents, and sharply designed LED headlights seamlessly connected to the grille, enhancing the overall recognition. At the rear, the LED taillights adopt a through-type design, which looks striking when lit. Additionally, the silver skid plate under the rear bumper adds a tough, off-road vibe to the SUV. Notably, both front and rear fog lights come standard, making them highly practical in Malaysia's rainy weather.

Stepping inside, the interior style leans towards simplicity and practicality, with a clearly organized dashboard and an intuitive operating layout. The interior materials primarily consist of soft-touch plastics, complemented by chrome accents and piano-black trim. While the luxurious feel isn't particularly prominent, the overall texture matches the price range. The instrument panel features an illuminated analog display with clear information, and the HUD (head-up display) allows drivers to keep track of key information like speed, enhancing driving safety. The central control screen is a 4.2-inch touchscreen, supporting basic multimedia functions. While the size is not large, the operation remains smooth. In terms of features, the front seats are electrically adjustable, while the second-row seats fold in a 60:40 split, offering good flexibility. The dual-zone automatic climate control system allows independent temperature adjustments for the front and rear, and rear air vents are standard, ensuring comfort for third-row passengers. Furthermore, convenience features such as keyless entry, power-folding mirrors, and automatic wipers are included, making daily usage more convenient.

Space performance is one of the core advantages of this 7-seater SUV. The dimensions are 4810mm×1900mm×1695mm, with a wheelbase of 2815mm, providing ample layout space for the three rows of seats. The front row offers a spacious seating area, where a 175cm-tall passenger still has a fist width of headroom after adjusting the seat. The second-row seats can slide forward and backward, offering up to two fists of legroom, and even with three adults seated, it doesn't feel cramped. The third-row seats, although relatively compact, are suitable for children or adults on short-distance trips, with legroom ranking above average compared to other 7-seater SUVs in its class. In terms of storage, the trunk can accommodate several carry-on suitcases when configured as a 7-seater, and folding down the third row significantly expands the space, meeting the loading needs for family road trips. Additionally, the interior includes multiple storage compartments, such as the central armrest box and door panel pockets, which make organizing daily small items convenient.

In terms of power, this Sorento is equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine, with a maximum power output of 179 PS/6000rpm and a peak torque of 232 N·m/4000rpm, paired with a 6AT gearbox and a front-wheel-drive layout. During actual driving, the power output is smooth and linear, with no noticeable delay at the initial start. When driving at low speeds in urban areas, the throttle response is sensitive, making it suitable for daily commutes. During acceleration, the gearbox's shifting logic is clear and shifts are proactive. However, when rapid acceleration is needed for overtaking, the power reserve feels slightly insufficient, requiring a firmer press on the accelerator for a stronger push-back sensation. The vehicle offers driving modes like Economic and Normal; in Economic mode, throttle response becomes more gentle, making it suitable for highway cruising to reduce fuel consumption. The official combined fuel consumption is 7.8L/100km, while actual testing showed about 9L/100km in urban conditions and around 7L/100km on highways, with fuel efficiency being fairly average.

The handling and chassis performance are tuned toward comfort. The steering wheel is light in effort, with decent precision, and does not feel too heavy during daily drives. The combination of a front MacPherson strut independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension effectively absorbs minor bumps in the road. When passing speed bumps or uneven roads, the body vibration suppression is quite good, avoiding any harsh impacts. However, when making high-speed turns, the body roll is slightly noticeable, which is a common tuning characteristic for family SUVs, prioritizing comfort as the main focus. The braking system performs steadily, the brake pedal travel feels reasonable, and the braking force output is linear, providing adequate confidence.

Safety features are a major highlight of this Sorento, as it comes standard with six airbags (including front and rear side airbags and curtain airbags), ABS, vehicle stability control, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, among other features, making its safety performance among the best in its class. Additionally, the combination of front parking sensors, rear parking sensors, and reversing camera makes parking and maneuvering more convenient. In terms of noise control, tire noise and wind noise are well-contained during city driving. On highways, the wind noise increases slightly but does not affect normal conversations among the passengers inside the cabin. The seat comfort is commendable, with adequate support and wrapping in the front seats, making long drives less tiring.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2023 Kia Sorento 2.5 2WD 7-seater version are its spacious three-row seating, comprehensive safety features, and practical convenience configurations. Compared to competitors like the Toyota Fortuner, it offers more comprehensive safety features and a more spacious third row; compared to the Honda CR-V 7-seater version, it boasts larger body dimensions and greater loading capacity. However, its slightly insufficient power reserve and relatively small central control screen are its shortcomings. This car is more suitable for consumers who prioritize family utility and value safety features, especially families who frequently need to seat 5-7 passengers, as it can handle daily commuting, short trips, or long-distance travel with ease.

In conclusion, the 2023 Kia Sorento 2.5 2WD 7-seater version is a well-balanced family 7-seat SUV with no significant shortcomings. Its performance in terms of space, safety, and features is sufficient to meet the core needs of family users. If your budget is around 200,000 MYR and you need a reliable 7-seat SUV, then this Sorento is worth considering.