Kia Sorento 2014 Review

In the mid-size SUV market, family attributes and cost-effectiveness have always been the core of consumer decision-making. The Kia Sorento Public, launched in 2014, targets those family users who need ample space and multiple configurations but are unwilling to pay a premium for redundant features. In this test drive, we focus on its space practicality, dynamic driving quality, and daily usage costs to see whether this model meets the core needs of the Malaysian market for a family SUV.

From a distance, the design of the 2014 Sorento Public leans towards stability, without overly aggressive lines. The front features Kia's signature tiger-nose grille, with chrome trim running through the headlights on both sides, giving it a decent level of recognizability. The side profile has straight lines, with a waistline extending from the front to the rear to avoid monotony. The 17-inch alloy wheels are standard size for mid-size SUVs, suitable for daily city and highway driving. At the rear, the taillights are arranged horizontally, echoing the chrome trim on the rear bumper. The overall design is coordinated and consistent with the positioning of a family car. As for the lighting system, halogen headlights and taillights are standard. Although there are no LED light sources, they are sufficient to meet basic lighting needs.

Sitting inside, the interior is mainly in dark tones, accented with a small amount of silver trim. The overall style is simple and practical. The center console adopts a layered design, with the audio and air conditioning control area on the top and a storage compartment and gear lever below. The layout is clear and easy to use. Regarding materials, the upper part of the center console uses hard plastic, but its textured surface does not feel cheap; the inner sides of the door panels and seats use fabric material, which is easy to maintain daily. Core configuration-wise, the 8-inch central control screen supports Bluetooth connectivity and USB input. Although it lacks CarPlay or Android Auto, it can effectively cover basic music playback and phone call functions. For the seats, the driver's seat supports 6-way manual adjustment and the passenger seat supports 4-way manual adjustment. The rear seats can be folded proportionally, providing good flexibility.

Space performance is one of the advantages of the 2014 Sorento Public. With body dimensions of 4685mm×1885mm×1700mm and a wheelbase of 2700mm, it falls within the standard size of mid-size SUVs. The front row offers ample space; for a passenger with a height of 175cm, there’s about one fist of headroom left after adjusting the seat. The rear space is even more practical - a passenger of the same height has two fists of legroom in the rear, and one fist of headroom, ensuring comfort even with three people seated. In terms of storage capacity, the front door panels can hold two bottles of water, there is a storage compartment below the center console, and the center armrest box has moderate capacity suitable for daily items. The trunk capacity is 551L in its standard configuration but can be expanded to 1662L by folding down the rear seats, making it sufficient for luggage or large items. The rear row is also equipped with air vents and a USB charging port, enhancing passenger comfort.

In terms of power, the 2014 Sorento Public is equipped with a 2.4L naturally aspirated engine, with a maximum power of 175PS and a maximum torque of 225N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. During daily driving, the acceleration is not particularly quick, but the throttle response is linear. Low-speed driving is smooth, making it suitable for city commuting. During acceleration, the transmission has a clear shifting logic, with a responsive upshift. When overtaking at high speeds, pushing down on the throttle prompts the transmission to downshift promptly, and the power output is adequate for daily needs. There are three driving modes to choose from: eco, normal, and sport. In eco mode, the throttle response is slightly muted, suitable for highway cruising; in sport mode, the shift delay allows for more immediate power output, suited for scenarios requiring rapid acceleration.

The handling and chassis performance are oriented towards comfort. The steering wheel has moderate effort, with minimal play, making daily driving very easy. The chassis features a front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension, which is tuned to be soft. It handles small bumps on city roads quite well, ensuring there are no significant vibrations while sitting inside the car. When going over speed bumps, the suspension quickly absorbs the impact, and the body does not exhibit excessive bouncing. At high speeds, the body remains stable without feeling floaty; when cornering, body roll is within an acceptable range, meeting the handling needs of a family car.

In terms of fuel consumption, we conducted a test under mixed driving conditions: 60% urban roads and 40% highways. The final fuel consumption is about 9.5 liters per 100 kilometers. This performance is middle-of-the-road for 2.4L fuel SUVs in its class, and the daily operating cost is not high. Regarding braking performance, the brake pedal provides linear feedback, the braking force output is even, and the car’s body posture remains stable during emergency braking without any obvious front-end dip, meeting the safety requirements of a family car.

For ride comfort, the noise insulation is moderate. At low speeds in the city, engine noise and tire noise are controlled quite well; however, at high speeds, wind noise becomes slightly more noticeable but does not affect normal conversation. The fabric upholstery of the seats has good breathability, so long periods of sitting will not feel stuffy, and lumbar support is adequate, making it comfortable for daily commutes or long-distance driving.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2014 Kia Sorento Public lie in its practical space and balanced dynamic performance. Compared to its class competitors like the Honda CR-V 2.4L or Toyota RAV4 2.5L, it has an edge in rear-row space and trunk expandability, and its pricing is more affordable, highlighting its value for money. However, its interior materials and tech features are relatively basic, lacking a sense of luxury.

This vehicle is suitable for families that prioritize space and practicality, especially those who often need to transport family members or carry items. Its power is sufficient for everyday use, fuel consumption is within an acceptable range, and its comfortable chassis can meet the needs of urban commuting and occasional long-distance travel. If your budget is limited and you need a spacious family SUV, the 2014 Sorento Public would be a good choice.

Overall, the 2014 Kia Sorento Public is a practical family SUV with a spacious interior, easy handling, and low running costs. While its configurations are not cutting-edge, it meets the core needs of family users.