Kia Sorento 2019 Review

The D-segment 7-seat SUV market has always been a focal point for family users locally. Consumers value practicality in space, while also having certain expectations for configuration and driving comfort. The 2019 Kia Sorento 2.4 EX AT, as a popular choice in this segment, has attracted much attention with its balanced configuration and five-year unlimited mileage warranty. This test drive focuses on its daily driving performance, space utilization, and whether its features meet family needs, to see if it has enough competitiveness among similar products.

In terms of appearance, the 2019 Sorento 2.4 EX AT maintains Kia's family-style tiger-nose front design, with a chrome trim running through the grille and connecting the headlights on both sides, which is highly recognizable. The body lines are simple and smooth, with a waistline extending from the fender to the rear, preventing the side view from appearing bulky. The 18-inch wheels paired with 235/60 R18 tires are proportionally coordinated with the body. At the rear, the LED taillights adopt a horizontal layout, with a clear visual effect when lit, and the silver skid plate on the lower rear bumper adds a touch of robustness to the SUV. The lighting system comes standard with LED daytime running lights and automatic headlights. During actual use, the sensitivity of the automatic headlights is moderate and switches timely according to ambient light.

Upon entering the interior, the cabin adopts a dark color scheme with silver trim accents, giving it a practical overall style. The center console layout is clear, with an 8-inch touchscreen located in the middle. The operation fluency is acceptable, supporting Bluetooth connection and basic multimedia functions. Regarding materials, the upper part of the center console is wrapped in soft-touch materials, which feel pleasant. The door panels also have leather coverings, enhancing the interior quality. In terms of features, the front seats offer electric adjustment, and the driver's seat comes with lumbar support, making long periods of sitting less tiring. The dual-zone automatic air conditioning is convenient to adjust, and the rear independent air vents cater to the needs of second- and third-row passengers. The instrument panel is a traditional self-illuminating analog type, with clear information display, providing a direct view of data like RPM, speed, and fuel consumption.

Space performance is a core concern for 7-seat SUVs. The Sorento 2.4 EX AT has a wheelbase of 2780mm, with a body length, width, and height of 4800mm × 1890mm × 1690mm, ensuring a solid foundation for interior space. The second-row seats support sliding and backrest angle adjustment. For passengers with a height of 175cm, the legroom is approximately two fists, and headroom is more than one fist, providing good comfort. The third-row seats are more suitable for children or adults on short trips; with the second row pushed to the foremost position, legroom in the third row is about one fist, and headroom is slightly cramped. In terms of storage, the trunk offers a standard capacity of 320L, which can be expanded to a larger space by folding down the third-row seats, making it easy to place strollers or suitcases. The cabin also has multiple storage compartments, including a center armrest box, door panel storage slots, and front-row cup holders, making it convenient to store small items for everyday use. Additionally, the rear row is equipped with ISO FIX child seat anchors, making it easy and straightforward to install child seats.

In terms of power, the 2.4L naturally aspirated engine produces a maximum output of 172PS and a maximum torque of 225N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. During daily driving, the power delivery during start-up is smooth, with linear throttle response, making it suitable for urban traffic conditions. When accelerating at low to mid speeds, the transmission shifts smoothly without obvious jolts. Switching to Sport mode improves throttle sensitivity, with the RPM staying at a higher range. The power reserve is generally sufficient for overtaking, but high-speed acceleration can feel slightly lacking. The drivetrain is an all-wheel drive system, which provides stable grip when driving on wet roads or slightly unpaved surfaces, enhancing driving safety.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, the combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension is tuned for comfort. When going over speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension effectively filters out most vibrations, making them barely noticeable to passengers inside. During cornering, the body roll is kept within a reasonable range, the steering wheel offers moderate resistance, and the directionality is decent, making daily driving effortless. The braking system adopts a front and rear ventilated disc design, providing prompt braking response and linear brake force output. During emergency braking, the vehicle maintains a stable posture.

Regarding fuel consumption, we drove about 100km each in the city and on the highway, and the combined fuel consumption was approximately 10.5L/100km. In congested urban conditions, the fuel consumption rose to around 12L, while during highway cruising, it dropped to about 8.5L, meeting the expected level for a 2.4L naturally aspirated engine. Noise control performance is excellent; at speeds below 80km/h, wind and tire noise are not noticeable, and the engine noise is well suppressed. At speeds above 100km/h, wind noise slightly increases but remains within an acceptable range.

Compared to competitors in the same segment, the 2019 Sorento 2.4 EX AT's advantages lie in its balanced configuration and warranty policy. It comes standard with six airbags, automatic parking, rain-sensing wipers, among other features, which are considered above average in vehicles at the same price range. The five-year unlimited mileage warranty helps to reduce maintenance costs in the later period. However, the third-row space and power reserves are slightly inferior compared to some competitors equipped with turbocharged engines.

In summary, the 2019 Kia Sorento 2.4 EX AT is a seven-seater SUV suitable for family users. Its space caters to the needs of multi-member outings, it is practically equipped, provides a comfortable driving experience, and has an attractive warranty policy. If you are looking for a vehicle that balances daily commuting with family outings and do not require high power, this model is worth considering.