KX-2 2.2 CRDi 5dr 4 X 4

Excellent and reliable all-rounder.

Following on from my review of a couple of years ago, this car has been a delight to own and worth far more to me than highly-priced but unreliable so-called "top marques." The only issue I have had since my last report is that a rubber section of the key fob I used daily had split. It was replaced FoC under the Kia seven year warranty. The two or three problems I have had since buying the car in 2014 have therefore all been attended to under warranty, so my experience with that has been totally positive. I had more problems on a monthly basis with home-built SUVs than with this car over two and a half years and, unlike with the Kia, they were not always dealt with under warranty.

As to the car itself, It is comfortable, has all the bells and whistles we need, and there were no complaints even on long journeys from any passengers, even the two smallest in the third row of seats. Actually, the kids love it right at the back. I am a normal driver but don't particularly hang about. Even so, I have never noticed the rolling that some motoring correspondents have suggested. The Sorento handles fine and I have always found it easy to park too. A big plus for me is that, in manual form anyway, it still has a proper parking brake hand lever. I loathe the foot-operated ones and that, in fact, stopped me from looking at current Jeep Grand Cherokees. The Sorento is more economical than many "top marques", despite its size, because it normally runs in front wheel drive, switching only to 4wd (automatically) when conditions demand. I do not need an out-and-out off-roader but I do need something that will get me up and down a steep, winding, ungritted country road in winter. With winter tyres fitted, the Sorento has sailed up and down with no problems at all, on icy and snow-covered icy surfaces. I have not had to contend with deep snow during my three winters of ownership so cannot comment on that, other than to say that I would be happy enough to try it. The only thing I do exercise caution about is deep water. As I mentioned above, the Sorento is not a "real" off-roader and it copes no better than most other cars on the road as far as wading is concerned. Don't go into water deeper than mid-hub depth! That is a Kia recommendation, obtained by a 'phone call to their head office.

My mpg over nearly 30,000 miles has been 34.5, much less than the official figure but pretty much in line with what I expected, and 10mpg better than my previous Land Rovers and a big Jeep - which I also loved and was also totally reliable. I should point out that my average has included mostly local running (DPF has been no problem) and towing a loaded horse trailer. Maintenance via the local Kia dealership in Windermere has been superb and I have followed my usual practice of getting them to change the oil etc. every six months.

In short, my first Kia Sorento experience has been totally positive, to the extent that I have now moved on to a 2014 facelifted version. These are good cars and seem to be just getting better. I still wish that Kia UK would make more colours available. They do exist, because they can be seen on USA and Australian websites for starters. I also wish they would consider bringing that tasty-sounding 3.2 V6 petrol version into the UK.

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