ON FRONT PAG E N O R T H E AST V I C TO R I A , A L P S A N D H I G H CO U N T RY
FEBRUARY 12 - 18, 2016
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KIA: Big, bold and practical, the all-new Sorento has a lot going for it.
Kia Sorento Platinum is keeping up appearances
ALMOST a third of vehicles sold in Australia in 2015 were crossovers or SUVs and Kia is keen to get a big share of the action. As part of this plan the Korean company’s big all-new Sorento has gone ultra stylish, something that will do it no end of good in the rapidly changing sales market in Australia. All-new Kia Sorento is offered in Si, SLi and Platinum grades. Prices begin at a reasonable $40,990 for a petrol two-wheel-drive Si and run up to $55,990 if you chose a Platinum with the turbo-diesel and all-wheel-drive. Even the Sorento Si is well equipped, with 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control,
By EWAN KENNEDY power windows and mirrors and wood-look interior trim. The SLi has 18-inch alloys, the wood-look is extended to the steering wheel and centre console and there are sporty looking alloy pedals. Topping off the range is the Sorento Platinum, with a huge sunroof, 19-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel and a more powerful stereo. A feature we particularly liked in the Sorento Platinum is the choice of two-tone interior trim. It really makes a pleasant change from the endless all-black interiors in most current
cars and SUVs these days. There’s even better news on the two-tone look – it comes at no extra charge. Kia spoiled us by providing a Sorento Platinum with attractive light grey and off white trim for our week’s road test. Gone are the days when SUVs pretend to be tough, angular 4WDs, it’s well known that most owners are buying station wagons and like a bit of flair in their shapes (the wagon’s shape, not the owners … or is it both?). The third generation look-at-me style certainly drew more than its fair share of looks during our test period. Sorento’s front end is big and bold, the bonnet is high and the grille has the
familiar new-Kia design. Large cutouts for the foglights add to the effect and give it a bold wide look. The side profile also takes the big ‘n’ bold look with a deep window line that continues all the way to the rear. A current fad among stylists is a sharp kick up in the rear-side windows. Okay, it can look sleek, but often ruins the view for the children in the rearmost seats. Sorento is a seven-seater, indeed almost a people mover, so it’s important that the kids can see what’s happening out there. Sorento Si has an AM/FM audio system with six speakers. There’s MP3, Bluetooth streaming, USB and Aux. Continued page 2 n21d11337-V33/0716
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