On The Road
For a vehicle that is likely to attract customers with its low price, the Sorento provides a surprisingly cultured drive. While it doesn’t set the pace when compared with the competition it doesn’t feel out of place either.
The engine comes with the modern manners expected of common-rail technology, idling solidly even from cold. A useful dose of torque once the revs pick up makes driving with a full load undemanding. It isn’t the smoothest as the revs build up but it does maintain its dependable power delivery.
As an indication of this, when running unladen the Sorento managed to stay in fourth gear at the speed limit up Titsey Hill. The five-speed manual shift is not ultra-slick, but it suits the easy nature of the engine and goes from gate to gate in a relaxed manner.
This laid-back approach is not carried into the corners, where it behaves uneasily, wallowing considerably as the chassis feels the affects of lateral forces. You wouldn’t want to push it; but if you do, prepare for sharp oversteer – and wet weather will bring it on a lot quicker.
But as with all vehicles in this category, the Sorento performs better on its home ground, which is off-road. Many people will be attracted to this vehicle for its appearances, but it also comes with decent 4x4 ability.
Grip is there in abundance and all that torque allows it to dig in when tackling inclines. One negative is the lack of decent damping; the suspension does feel clunky over more severe undulations. But that doesn’t detract too much from its overall strength.
Cab Comfort
For a vehicle that is likely to attract customers with its low price, the Sorento provides a surprisingly cultured drive. While it doesn’t set the pace when compared with the competition it doesn’t feel out of place either.
The engine comes with the modern manners expected of common-rail technology, idling solidly even from cold. A useful dose of torque once the revs pick up makes driving with a full load undemanding. It isn’t the smoothest as the revs build up but it does maintain its dependable power delivery.
As an indication of this, when running unladen the Sorento managed to stay in fourth gear at the speed limit up Titsey Hill. The five-speed manual shift is not ultra-slick, but it suits the easy nature of the engine and goes from gate to gate in a relaxed manner.
This laid-back approach is not carried into the corners, where it behaves uneasily, wallowing considerably as the chassis feels the affects of lateral forces. You wouldn’t want to push it; but if you do, prepare for sharp oversteer – and wet weather will bring it on a lot quicker.
But as with all vehicles in this category, the Sorento performs better on its home ground, which is off-road. Many people will be attracted to this vehicle for its appearances, but it also comes with decent 4x4 ability.
Grip is there in abundance and all that torque allows it to dig in when tackling inclines. One negative is the lack of decent damping; the suspension does feel clunky over more severe undulations. But that doesn’t detract too much from its overall strength.
