Review: Kia XM Sorento (2012-14)

Overview

Released in October 2012, the Kia XM Sorento was a seven-seat SUV. Manufactured in Hwasung, South Korea, the XM Sorento range consisted of front-wheel drive models with 3.5-litre V6 petrol engines or all-wheel drive models with 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. As per the table below, the XM Sorento range consisted of Si, SLi and Platinum variants.

G6DC petrol and D4HB diesel engines

Of the engines,

• the 3.5-litre G6DC ‘Lambda II’ V6 petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder heads, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake and exhaust valve timing (D-CVVT), a variable intake system and compression ratio of 10.6:1; and,
• the 2.2-litre D4HB ‘R’ diesel engine had an aluminium engine block and cylinder head, common-rail direct injection with piezo injectors (operating at 1800 bar), a variable geometry Garrett GTB1752VLK turbocharger, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 16.0:1.

Transmission options consisted of six-speed manual and automatic units.

Dimensions

Compared to its eponymous XM Sorento predecessor, the 2012 XM Sorento had the same length (at 4685 mm), width (1885 mm) and wheelbase length (2700 mm); height, however, was reduced by 10 mm (1700 mm), while minimum ground clearance was 185 mm. Sharing its bodyshell with the Hyundai DM Santa Fe , the XM Sorento bodyshell also achieved an 18 per cent increase in torsional rigidity due to the use of ultra-high tensile strength steel for 25 per cent of its bodyshell.

Suspension and steering

The XM Sorento had MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension (both with dual flow dampers), while suspension tuning for local conditions was conducted by Kia Motors Australia. For the Sorento SLi and Platinum, Kia’s ‘FlexSteer’ system enabled the driver to select from Normal, Sport and Comfort modes for differing levels of steering assistance.

AWD system

XM Sorento models with turbo-diesel engines were fitted with an on-demand all-wheel drive system which, in normal conditions, provided drive to the front wheels. In the event that traction was lost, however, up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque could be redirected to the rear axle. There was also a ‘lock’ mode which provided a fixed 50:50 front:rear torque split for speeds up to 40 km/h.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the XM Sorento included dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags (for the front and second row occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The Sorento was also fitted with downhill brake and hill-start assist controls.

Brakes

The Sorento had 320 mm by 28 mm ventilated front brake discs and 302 mm by 11 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a 2009 XM Sorento with a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine received a five star safety rating with an 87 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 84 per cent child occupant protection rating. Based on technical information provided to ANCAP, the 2012 XM Sorento was assessed to provide comparable occupant protection.

In the frontal offset impact test, the steering column and ignition barrel presented a potential injury risk to drivers of different sizes; in the pole test, rib deflections indicated marginal protection of the chest. Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 33.21 out of 37.

Features: Sorento Si, SLi and Platinum

Standard features for the Sorento Si included 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/65 R17 tyres, a six speaker audio system with a CD player, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary inputs (USB/iPod) and Bluetooth audio streaming, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, LED daytime running lights, front and rear parking sensors, front fog lights, static cornering lights, 60/40 split and flat folding second row seats, 50/50 split and flat folding third row seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, two 12 volt power outlets, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

The Sorento SLi was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/60 R18 tyres, a 4.3-inch colour LCD touch screen for the audio system, leather trim seats, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a rear view camera with parking guidelines, seven-inch TFT instrument cluster, parking sensor dash display, automatic headlights, ambient lighting, alloy scuff plates, alloy pedals and an electrochromic rear view mirror. Visually, the SLi (and Platinum) variants could be identified by their rear LED combination lights, roof rails and rear lip spoilers.

The range-topping Sorento Platinum was distinguished by its 19-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels with 235/55 R19 tyres, a nine speaker sound system with a subwoofer and an external amplifier, a satellite navigation system with a seven-inch colour LCD touch screen, heated and ventilated front seats, a four-way power adjustable front passenger seat, directional xenon headlights with washers, driver’s seat memory settings, rear privacy glass, second-row window blinds and powered panoramic sunroof.

October 2014: Family Pack standard

From October 2014, the Sorento was fitted with a ‘Family Pack’ – which consisted of an alloy nudge bar, side steps, tow bar kit, cargo may, floor mats and weathershield set – as standard.

Brochures

• Brochure: Kia XM Sorento (November 2012)
• Brochure: Kia XM Sorento (August 2013)
• Brochure: Kia XM Sorento (September 2014)

Related links

• Specifications: Kia XM Sorento (October 2012)
• Specifications: Kia XM Sorento (September 2014)
• Wikipedia.org: Kia XM Sorento