Kia does not hide its pride in the fact that the target audience celebrates appearance Among the advantages of the model, and therefore the goals of restyling did not include a radical change in image. The Koreans followed the beaten path, simply adding a couple of win-win and proven solutions - for example, the massive halogen fog lights in older trim levels were replaced by branded diode “ice cubes”, while diode running lights, combined with turn signals, ran along the lower edge of the headlights, and diode The same content with three blocks was received by the head optics itself - again, in older versions.
The headlights, by the way, are active and can look into turns - but for the basic halogen light, this feature was replaced with a simpler solution with an additional cornering lamp. There are no xenon options left - they were replaced by LED headlights, but there is no need to regret this loss, since the cold diode light with a clear upper limit showed itself to be excellent.
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Diodes are also included in the rear lights - the new design distinguishes them from the pre-restyling version. The notorious optics, new wheel designs, bumpers and a slightly modified radiator grille - that’s all that distinguishes the updated crossover from the outside. Oh yes, to the classic (read: boring) colors of black gradients they added a couple of more interesting ones: dark brown and dark blue. And yet, an inexperienced person, perhaps, may not notice the restyling if he is not prompted, and features like the hot stamping technology used for the new false radiator grille will remain alive only in press releases. However, as we remember, this was the task - to give a couple of fresh touches and not change the overall appearance.
1000 trifles
However, there were not so many global changes inside - the main innovations were included in the “10,000 little things” category. A slightly different steering wheel, a slightly different climate control unit, a slightly different gearshift lever - and these “slightly” can be filled on half a page. Among the more noticeable and useful innovations, we can note the AVN 5.0 multimedia system with navigation and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are needed today. Such a system implies the presence of an eight-inch touchscreen, and the basic version is “satisfied” with a seven-inch one, but functionally they differ only in the presence of a navigation system. It’s just that the eight-inch screen is complemented by a Harman/Kardon audio system, so the final “pack” still looks more solid, although it does not outright surpass the younger one in its capabilities.
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However, we became interested in multimedia and innovation early on - first we need to get behind the wheel. The seats here are quite voluminous in size and can accommodate the rider, but the side bolsters both at the back and at the pillow are soft, and the support is very unobtrusive. Traditionally, only top-end versions were present at the test (in our case, Premium and GT Line), and in this case, even the front passenger is not deprived of electrical adjustments, including lumbar support. The driver has two lumbar adjustments, but the backrest is solid and does not “break.” The steering wheel is adjustable, naturally, in height and reach, but there are no electric drives here, but the ranges of movement are not “nominal”.
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The finishing materials throughout the “perimeter of contact with the body and limbs” are soft - in some places they are plastic, and in others there are leather inserts. There is hard glossy plastic only at the edges of the central tunnel, and on the tunnel itself it is replaced by matte soft-touch. By the way, Kia emphasizes that the silver trim on the edging of the multimedia system and side air ducts is not just painted plastic, but a metallized coating. On plastic, of course - but it adds tactile sensations. In the front part of the tunnel there is a niche for wireless charging - this function is also gradually becoming one of the “must have” options, so check the box and, before you fall asleep from exciting stories about soft plastics and the finest coatings, jump into the second row.
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It, in turn, can please you with two properties. The first is the quite expected space in which a person of normal height can sit behind himself (at 170 cm, I didn’t even check this possibility), and the second is the ability to adjust the seats not only in the longitudinal direction, but also in the angle of the backrest. The range, by the way, is quite decent, and you can recline in the right rear seat comfortably. In addition, Kia added to the GT Line equipment a somewhat strange in spirit, but essentially convenient function for adjusting the front right seat from the back row using keys on the left side of the backrest. A kind of all-wheel drive “member truck” with a hint of sportiness - and the Premium version, which is strange, lacks such an option. But it can have a third row of seats, but the GT Line, as a bastion of sportiness, exists exclusively in a five-seater version. The only consolation for owners of “premium” versions is the curtains on the rear windows.
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Trunk volume
Before starting the engines, we look into the trunk, which is also not without its pros and cons. Among the latter is the absence of any socket, and the former include a third row of seats that folds into a completely flat floor, a useful volume of 660 to 1,700 liters depending on the interior configuration, and a large niche in the rear into which you can put the entire travel kit, including even a small shovel. By the way, it contains a rail into which the standard luggage curtain is folded - a small thing, but nice. And another nice thing: the trunk is equipped with an automatic opening function - if you approach it with your hands full and the key in your pocket, you just need to wait a few seconds, and after a few warning signals it will open itself. The opening height of the fifth door can be adjusted and this indicator can be recorded in memory.
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Cats don't walk like that
Well, now let’s sit behind the wheel with peace of mind - first, it will be a perforated GT Line steering wheel with a diesel engine. Yes, yes, the “sport” can also be diesel - only the basic 2.4-liter gasoline engine is not available in this version. At the same time, the diesel engine not only did not lack stainless steel thresholds and gear shift paddles on the steering wheel, but also featured dual square exhaust pipes instead of a single round one. We adjust the seats and steering wheel - and off we go.
In principle, the diesel engine has not changed compared to the pre-restyling version, but we have been driving the Sorento Prime for so long that it is not a sin to say a few words about its behavior. Literally a couple: talking about the torque plateau at 1,750-2,750 rpm is a sin, and the torque of 441 Nm (a good hundred more than the older gasoline engine) is also almost unnecessary to mention. But it’s worth noting that it packs exactly 200 horsepower: Kia understands perfectly well that their target audience knows how and loves to count money.
In practice, the 2.2-liter diesel turns out to be an almost ideal unit for the Sorento Prime. Not hurricane, but smooth traction is now additionally “smeared” by a new eight-speed automatic transmission, which has replaced the six-speed on all engines except the base gasoline one: the direct transmission is now not the fifth, but the sixth, and there are, accordingly, two overdrive steps.
Elasticity and pick-up at highway speeds allow you to accurately plan overtaking, and consumption on a “cruise” tends to the declared value (that’s praise for any modern car). On slow off-road climbs, the traction is also confident... probably - during the entire test drive we never left the road, even a dirt road.
We didn’t move out, because this is the positioning of the Sorento Prime - this is a typical urban crossover for an active family man who, although he loves to travel, does it only on well-trodden paths. During the entire presentation of the car, the word “family” was heard three or four times, but the concepts “off-road”, “fording depth”, “clearance”, “off-road capabilities”, “all-wheel drive control modes” - exactly none.
Yes, there is an imitation of interaxle locking, but the Magna clutch, which transmits part of the torque back and works with a small constant preload, is needed here primarily not for driving in the mud, but to improve the car’s behavior on asphalt, and only sometimes to overcome the classic “last hundred meters to the dacha.” So the Koreans quite soberly assessed the off-road capabilities of the Sorento Prime and... tactfully kept silent about them.
Okay, in the absence of fun, all that remains is to sweeten the pill with numbers - this is where the diesel engine does its job properly. The torn test mode with sharp accelerations increased consumption, but the figure of 8 liters per hundred was almost never exceeded. Given such modesty, one can almost believe that if you use the pedals correctly, there is a chance to achieve the promised 6.5 liters in mixed mode.
A couple more words about highway modes and cruise - contrary to expectations, even the updated crossover did not receive some modern functions like active cruise control and keeping the car in the lane. However, there is still a reverse parking assistant, blind spot monitoring and all-round visibility. But Kia said that the absence of the above-mentioned options at the time of the start of sales does not mean their absence in the future - they exist on cars for other markets, and work on adapting them for our conditions is already underway, and upon completion of tests, this functionality should appear in Russian crossovers.
By the way, about other markets and adaptation. In response to our questions about the “refinement” of cars for Russia, representatives of the Kia press office said that all cars are assembled on a common assembly line, and as such there is no adaptation for a specific country: the car was immediately designed taking into account the requirements of all target markets. Conveyor assembly only means equipping cars with different options according to different specifications: for example, copies for Europe are equipped with active hood squibs that “accept” pedestrians, but for us they install the ERA-GLONASS system. For the same reason, the Sorento Prime, unlike some of its other brothers, did not receive heating of the entire surface of the windshield - the Russian market is not among the most “consuming” ones, and in others this option is simply not so in demand.
Okay, let’s get back on the road, especially since we just left the road onto the dirt road (more precisely, the “ice road”) leading to the Kivach waterfall. And this is where the main disappointment awaited us...
No, the waterfall did not disappoint us. The Kivach waterfall consists of two rapids, and if black icy water slides down the first like a thick, viscous resin, the second swells the stream, turning it into solid white chaos, which, falling from a small slope, calms down again after a few tens of meters. But what did not calm down after several tens, hundreds and even thousands of meters was the suspension of the Kia Sorento Prime.
KIA Sorento Prime (2.4 / 3.5 l)
Claimed fuel consumption per 100 km
From a large seven-seat crossover with a tiger nose and a family purpose, you expect a soft cat's tread. But in our case, the big cat turned out to be a little nervous and lame: he shuddered with his whole body on large bumps, trembled slightly on the comb, jumped up on throws, and once even closed the suspension to the limiters after landing from one such “springboard”.
Cloudless comfort ended where the suspension should have begun to work in earnest - but it turned out to like asphalt roads, not country potholes. And it transferred the asphalt profile to the body very accurately: you knew exactly where you were under the wheels sewer hatch, and where is the major oversight of the city road services. The annoyance was intensified by the fact that in conditions of excellent sound insulation of the engine compartment, through which neither the rumble of a diesel engine nor the grumbling of a gasoline unit made its way, and a good “remoteness” from the noise of the wheel arches from the passenger compartment, all the “flaws” of the suspension were perfectly audible, and impacts were audible is directly proportional to the size of the bumps and the speed of the machine.
This behavior of the crossover seemed strange - neither the rear independent suspension on double wishbones (which, by the way, was the subject of most of the complaints), nor the difference in the settings of these same suspensions due to the 100 kilogram difference in weight between the gasoline and diesel versions could help , nor the automatic body height leveling system in the Premium version (although it would be strange to assign this responsibility to it). The main intrigue in these conditions was how the car behaved on basic 17-inch wheels: all the test cars, of course, sported top-end 19-inch wheels. But, perhaps, a fair share of road “trifles” could be filtered out by higher profile tires alone...
Before swapping the diesel GT Line for the petrol Premium, we took another look at the car and remembered the two main technical differences between this version and the others. Perforated leather on the steering wheel and contrasting stitching are, of course, beautiful, but the Koreans also saved a couple of functional features for the “sports” version. The first is a steering system with an additional damper to cut off vibrations and an electric power steering motor located not on the steering shaft, as in conventional versions, but directly on the steering rack, and the second is front brake discs enlarged from 320 to 340 millimeters with red calipers.
The first is designed to improve the accuracy and responsiveness of the steering, and the second, as expected, improves braking performance. However, in all honesty, I will say that the most noticeable of all this in practice were the red calipers - and, to the credit of the car, precisely because there were no complaints about the “regular” brakes and steering, and it was possible to track the subtle difference between versions in civilian driving modes failed. By the way, it’s worth saying that this “sports steering mechanism” is not new, and moreover, it was previously available also for the Premium package, but now it has been deliberately “cut off”, leaving it exclusively the prerogative of the GT Line version.
After changing the car to the Premium version, we had two main tasks to complete: evaluate the new 3.5-liter V6 and indirectly compare it with the diesel unit, and also finally understand the new Drive Mode Select mode, which was called Smart.
And the motor didn’t make me think about it for long. It’s new for us, since previously the Sorento Prime had another member of the Lambda family with a capacity of 3.3 liters under the hood. Now, from the line of multi-volume units, they chose the one that is 200 cubic meters larger, but its power was kept at a tax-advantageous 249 horsepower (again remembering the ability of Kia customers to count money). The gain in volume was mainly due to a reduction in the maximum torque shelf and the threshold for achieving maximum power, as well as improved acceleration dynamics. The V6-equipped Prime now takes 8 seconds to reach 60 mph in 7.8 seconds - 0.4 faster than before. Well, the notorious eight-speed gearbox made it possible to keep consumption at approximately the same level as the previous 3.3-liter unit: “theoretical” figures say 14.5 liters per hundred in the city and 10.4 in mixed mode. Torque increased to 336 Nm at 5,000 rpm.
In practice, this means that the petrol Sorento Prime has become even more fun to drive - in the absence of the opportunity to compare it with the pre-restyling version, the reference point has become diesel car. Yes, compared to a diesel engine, the voice of the engine from about 4 thousand revolutions makes it impossible to mistake its origin, and the accelerating dynamics turned out to be more perky and interesting... by 15 percent. The logical dependence of thrust on engine speed for an atmospheric unit allows you to vary movement styles, and a decent volume - don’t worry that you will be left without traction at the wrong time. But I would consider the main subjective advantage to be precisely the fact that the gasoline engine did not overshadow the diesel engine in its capabilities.
Kia Sorento Prime
Brief technical specifications:
Dimensions (L x W x H), mm: 4,800 x 1,890 x 1,690 Engine capacity, l: 2.4 / 3.5 Transmission: six-speed automatic / eight-speed automatic Maximum speed, km/h: 195 / 210 Acceleration 0 -100 km/h, s: 10.5 / 7.8 Fuel tank, l: 71
Yes, in raw numbers, CRDI loses quite clearly: 9.4 seconds to hundreds versus 7.8 already removes all questions. But in real life the difference between the engines turned out to be not so stunning, allowing you to leave the choice within the framework of “family” and personal preferences without the feeling that you have lost something. This is especially interesting given the fact that prices for the same configurations with gasoline and diesel engines should be quite comparable. As a result, diesel lovers will receive a balanced and high-torque unit, while those who have doubts can opt for the more familiar, voluminous gasoline engine, which is also naturally aspirated.
But the new “smart” Smart driving mode could not be given an equally smooth and coherent summary even in conditions of “approximate parity” of engines. Its essence is simple: it was added to the already existing Eco, Comfort and Sport, so that, depending on the driving mode, you can independently switch between them, allowing you to get the most effective result. An important point in this regard was the “learnability” of this mode, which theoretically should allow each driver to move at a rhythm convenient for themselves, without worrying about pressing buttons.
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However, actual operation showed two expected facts: an “untrained” Smart on a car with a mileage of several hundred kilometers simply worked in the “post-switch” mode, adjusting the options to the degree of pressing the accelerator pedal. You pressed the pedal to the floor - you received the inscription “Sport”, let go - and after half a minute you are again an adherent of ecology and common sense. In addition, switching from Eco to Sport - for example, when overtaking sharply - is still not possible without a short jump to the intermediate Normal, which completely negates the original intent of the existence of the “smart” mode. In addition, other colleagues noted that switching to Sport also meant changing the power steering settings, making it heavier right during the maneuver, which, given the unexpected, can also hardly be considered a plus. In general, the idea is good, all that remains is to hone the implementation... Well, if you don’t quibble and consider Smart as a simple automatic replacement for manual mode switching, then there will be no questions about it at all.
When, how and how much
Parting after a two-day test drive left behind only one open question: how close to the current price of the car will be after restyling. This issue, however, will most likely be resolved in favor of the buyer: we remember that Kia knows about the rationality of its customers, and the market share must be kept at a level. After all, a couple of years after its debut, it was able to win about 7% of the consumer audience of the entire segment of mid-size crossovers, and this is worth a lot.
By the way, the “old” Sorento also remains with us - so far the company has no plans to remove it from the model line. Moreover, last year the Koreans were convinced that it is not too dangerous for its younger and more progressive brother: Prime sales exceeded those of the previous generation and now amount to about 5.5 thousand units per year versus 4.5 for the “regular” Sorento . With these optimistic calculations and ambitious plans, the Koreans are bringing an updated model to the market: the start of sales is scheduled for February. Well, the notorious prices, which will also have a certain impact on the final result, will be announced closer to the start of sales. With that, the plump kind tiger and I say goodbye - but not for long. Literally for a couple of months.
The KIA brand received a pass into the premium crossover segment in 2015, when the first Sorento Prime appeared, offering consumers excellent design, driving properties and quality. And at an adequate price. After the update, the Sorento Prime crossover became even better: prettier, more modern, more technologically advanced. When the KIA Sorento Prime appeared, its appearance was rated quite highly by the public. Moreover, the model received a couple of prestigious international design awards. Taking this into account, when updating the Sorento Prime, it was decided to limit ourselves to minimal changes that emphasize the status of the car.
The front and rear bumpers of the new product have changed (due to which the overall length has increased by 20 mm, reaching exactly 4.8 m). The main and fog headlights and rear lights received a new design. And the radiator grille in the corporate style “Tiger Smile” was made according to new technology, which made it more textured. Has Prime become more attractive in appearance? In my opinion, yes. After all, high style is determined by details. For the updated KIA Sorento Prime, a new “ornament” of alloy wheels, 17th, 18th and 19th dimensions, is reserved. The color scheme of the body has also changed: noble dark brown and dark blue colors have appeared.
The interior of the KIA Sorento Prime has retained all the nuances that guarantee the driver and passengers a high level of comfort. At the same time, the “habitat zone” has become even more modern and attractive. The interior of the updated Sorento Prime is now available in four colors: black, brown, combined black and gray or black and beige, and not two, as before. The design of the steering wheel, behind which the dashboard with easy-to-read graphics is located, has become modernized and sporty. The climate control unit is made in a new, more ergonomic solution.
In terms of interior, the Prime is now available in four colors: black, brown, combined black and gray or black and beige.
Passengers in the second row in Prime “live” quite freely.
This knob adjusts the backrest angle of the second row seats.
Plus, the updated flagship crossover offers expanded multimedia capabilities. The multimedia system provides integration of iOS and Android smartphones thanks to the Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto platforms. This solution allows you to use the main services and applications installed on the smartphone: the device screen is displayed on the main touch screen of the car with a diagonal of 7 inches. In this version, the driver can use the usual navigation program installed on his own smartphone. The top versions of the crossover offer multimedia system with built-in navigation that displays real-time traffic information, four all-round cameras and an 8-inch display. The center console now also has a cradle for wireless charging of mobile devices. The new premium Harman/Kardon sound system with proprietary surround sound technology is very impressive. Perhaps even a music lover will be satisfied.
If we talk about the ergonomics of the front panel, the quality of its manufacturing and the style, we will have to use mostly enthusiastic epithets. As well as the convenience of the cabin in general. The reason for this, for example, could be a flat floor in the area of the second row occupants and personal air deflectors for them. As well as a central armrest, window shades and USB ports for mobile devices. For passengers in the third row, a separate climate control unit is a bonus.
The updated four-spoke steering wheel has become more aesthetically pleasing and more comfortable.
The luggage compartment volume in the 5-seater version of the crossover is 660 liters, which eliminates problems with transporting luggage. The updated KIA Sorento Prime is equipped with an automatic tailgate opening system with memory for the upper door position. Moreover, the car automatically opens the fifth door when the sensors detect a transponder key in the immediate vicinity of the trunk. No additional actions, special gestures or contact with the car are required for this.
The new climate unit displays the set temperature.
The former flagship of the KIA crossover line won many safety awards in tests using the most stringent methods in the world. The safety of the updated Sorento Prime is also at the highest level. Thus, 52.7% of its body structure is made of modern ultra-high-strength steel. This provides a “power cage” effect to the body in the event of an accident, and also improves torsional rigidity of the body, which has a beneficial effect on handling and comfort. Of course, other elements of a safe car, such as an assistant when leaving a parking lot in reverse, a surround view system with four video cameras, a blind spot monitoring system, etc., are also excellent.
System all-wheel drive has an intelligent action algorithm that is triggered before the wheels begin to slip, which ensures excellent motion stability. The cornering traction control system adds additional stability to the gait of the updated flagship crossover. It also comes into effect before the stabilization system is activated. And it does not affect the fuel supply. The system controls the distribution of traction and braking forces applied to specific wheels, thereby preventing skidding.
As with the previous version, the updated version is available with the GT Line package, reflecting the individuality of the owner. Technical details of the GT Line include the original electric power steering design, which creates more precise steering responses and more transparent feedback, as well as larger front brake discs to 18 inches, which provides better braking performance. Aesthetic highlights of the GT Line include badging, LED ice cube foglights, door sill trims, dual muffler tips (on diesel versions) and red-painted brake calipers. Inside, this version features exclusive black trim with GT Line logos on the seatbacks, a perforated leather steering wheel and a specially designed transmission selector knob.
The updated KIA Sorento Prime has a range of three engines. Two of them are already familiar power units. And the most powerful is a new engine with an increased displacement compared to the previous version. The volume of the most powerful V6 with multipoint injection has been increased to 3.5 liters, which makes it possible to reduce speed at maximum power. It is set at the optimal value for Russian customers of 249 hp. With. (taking into account tax law gradations), which are now achieved at 6300 rpm. Torque has increased by 5.6% (+18 Nm) and is 336 Nm, and the maximum is now available 300 rpm earlier - at 5000 min -1. Such torque characteristics made it possible to achieve better dynamics of the flagship crossover. Now acceleration to 100 km/h takes only 7.8 seconds, 0.4 seconds less than before the update.
The new 8-speed automatic transmission, which is KIA's own development, also contributes to improved dynamics. Fewer control valves in its design allows for a clearer mechanical connection with the engine and faster gear changes, reducing fuel consumption.
The updated KIA Sorento Prime will also be available with a 2.4 GDI petrol engine with direct fuel injection (188 hp, 241 Nm) and a 2.2 CRDI diesel engine (200 hp, 441 Nm). The 2.4 GDI engine is coupled with a modernized 6-speed automatic transmission, and the high-torque diesel engine is also paired with a new 8-speed automatic transmission. With any of the power units, the new product evokes positive emotions. But the updated Prime is especially good with top-end engines.
When the Drive Mode button is activated, the computer analyzes your personal driving style, adapting the settings of all electronically controlled vehicle systems to suit it.
The Prime all-wheel drive system is based on a Magna Dynamax active multi-plate clutch with an intelligent electronic control algorithm integrated into the overall vehicle control system. It is highly resistant to overheating, which has a beneficial effect on the stability of driving characteristics. A technical innovation was the appearance of an additional operating mode of the Drive Mode Select system, designated Smart. In this mode, the computer analyzes your personal driving style, adapting the settings of all electronically controlled vehicle systems to suit it. As a result, the system, which guards fuel economy, is ready to activate at the first request (when you press the gas), turning the car into a rocket.
The folded third row of seats turns into a flat luggage compartment floor.
To summarize, it is worth noting that the previous Sorento Prime was good. The current one is even better. As for the prices for the updated KIA Sorento Prime, this is still a closely guarded secret. The government's games with the amounts of excise taxes and recycling fees do not allow operating exact numbers. But, according to KIA representatives, the base price of 2.2 million (as well as the cost of other versions) will change only slightly, if at all.
Technical characteristics of KIA Sorento Prime 3.5 V6 8 AT
Dimensions 4800x1890x1690 mm Base 2780 mm Curb weight 1828 kg Full mass 2560 kg Clearance 185 mm Trunk volume 660/1732 l Fuel tank volume 71 l Engine gasoline, V-shaped, naturally aspirated 6-cylinder, 3470 cm 3, 249/6300 hp/min -1, 336/5000 Nm/min -1 Transmission automatic, 8-speed with torque converter, all-wheel drive Tire size 235/55R19 Dynamics 210 km/h; 7.8 s to 100 km/h Fuel consumption(city/highway/mixed) 14.5/8.1/10.4 l per 100 km Competitors Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Grand Santa Fe, Ford Explorer
- Driving performance, interior space, equipment, workmanship, price.
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Verdict
The updated KIA Sorento Prime makes a favorable impression. As a result of evolution, the car has improved where it was quite appropriate. Particularly impressive are the driving properties, quality, and richness of all kinds of systems.
(!) Please note that the article was written BEFORE the publication of prices and configurations for the Kodiaq in Russia. You can see current prices and configurations for Kodiak available for ordering in our country.
When choosing a car, we pay attention to the design, engine power, completeness of equipment, interior comfort... But when it comes time to go to the dealership, the main criterion almost always becomes the price. Some people get tired of saving for their dream car, some are approved for a loan for an amount less than needed, and others simply fall in love with a more budget model after seeing it in person. That is why the Skoda Kodiaq's competitors will include not only cars in its price range, but also more expensive models, including the Kia Sorento Prime.
Exterior and dimensions
When developing the new (third) generation Sorento, which received the prefix Prime on the Russian market, KIA wanted to attract the attention of young and progressive people to the car, who value not only a spacious, comfortable interior, practicality and reliability, but also stylish design and advanced equipment . The creators of Skoda set themselves approximately the same goals - they tried to make a crossover that would perfectly cope with the functions of a family car, but at the same time not look like a boring “barn on wheels.” Both the Czechs and Koreans managed to achieve their goals. Sorento Prime and Kodiak look really fresh and interesting.
Distinctive features Kia Sorento Prime - a massive raised hood, fashionable narrow headlights, a huge radiator grille. There are no special design delights in the Korean’s appearance, and where would they come from if the German Peter Schreyer was responsible for the design. Sorento Prime looks dynamic, powerful and quite European.
Kodiaq looks more compact in appearance than its competitor. The reason is obvious - its body is more proportional and balanced. It’s not for nothing that Skoda designer Josef Kaban boasts that all his cars evoke mostly positive responses - he really knows how to capture the tastes of the majority and reforge them in his own way. The Sorento Prime is 8 cm longer than the Skoda Kodiak; the cars are identical in the other two overall dimensions, although the Korean still has a slight advantage. Despite KIA's superiority in length, the Czech SUV has a longer wheelbase.
As with the previous generation Sorento, the Skoda Kodiaq is seriously ahead of it in terms of luggage compartment volume. But this is not surprising - in terms of capacity, Skoda cars have always been ahead of the rest.
Comparison of dimensions of Skoda Kodiaq and Kia Sorento Prime
* According to the VDA method.
Dimensions of Skoda Kodiaq
Interior of Skoda Kodiak and Kia Sorento Prime
The difference in the price classes of the Skoda Kodiaq and Kia Sorento Prime is most visible in the interior design. The interior of the Czech crossover, even with LED lighting and a large screen of the multimedia system, looks spartan and simple. The plastic is high-quality and soft, as is the seat upholstery; there are only three color options - black, brown and beige. We are pleased with the traditional Skoda “smart solutions” such as compartments for small items or umbrellas in the doors.
The Sorento Prime, which claims to be premium, has a richer interior. The non-standard shaped dashboard looks interesting; the decoration uses leather and inserts that imitate metal and wood. There are two interior color options – black and brown.
Both the Korean and the Czech have options with a third row of seats. It is suitable for children or luggage, but adults no taller than average height can fit in the rear seats, although not with maximum comfort.
Technical equipment of Skoda Kodiaq and Kia Sorento Prime
The undoubted advantage of the Sorento Prime over the Kodiak is, of course, its larger and more powerful engines. The “Korean” is equipped with a 3.3-liter gasoline engine and a 2.2-liter turbodiesel. Depending on the type of engine, 200 or 250 “horses” are hidden under the hood of the crossover. It is certainly very pleasant to boast of so many horses. But when we're talking about Regarding the cost of the car and fuel consumption, the Kodiaq, with its modest units of 1.4 and 2 liters and a power of up to 190 horsepower, begins to seem not such an outsider in comparison with its Korean counterpart.
Since January 2017, Kia has introduced a new 2.4 GDI petrol engine with direct injection into its engine line, developing a power of 188 hp, which has become the base engine for the Sorento Prime. However, only a 5-seater version of the crossover is available with this engine, and it “eats” 2 liters of fuel per 100 km (in mixed mode) than its counterpart - the Skoda 2.0 TSI.
The Kodiaq has both a 6-speed manual transmission and two DSG options. Buyers of the Sorento Prime were not given a choice - the car with both engine options is equipped only with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Moreover, the “automatic”, according to many experts, does not work perfectly. Here's how Robert Esinov from Drive.ru describes it:
“Hyundai-KIA’s own gearbox can softly change ranges, but they haven’t taught it how to do it quickly. As soon as you drive a little faster, hitches arise and the Sorento’s zealous desire to accelerate within one gear begins to interfere. When you sharply press the accelerator, switching down two steps occurs in stages, with pauses. Moreover, in sport mode, thanks to which the car reacts more quickly to the fuel supply, the same process for some reason takes even longer.”
The Kodiak can be either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Sorento Prime, in order not to depart from the image of a premium car, is available only in the 4x4 version.
As for the various driver assistance systems, safety, multimedia, it is difficult to give preference to one of the cars - both have a lot of useful electronics both in the base and in the list of additional options. So those who want to “stuff” their car with electronic gadgets can safely choose both the Skoda Kodiaq and the Kia Sorento Prime.
Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 150 hp vs KIA Sorento Prime 2.2 CRDi 200 hp - video from Igor Burtsev
This video compares the loading length and width of the trunks of two cars, real dynamics and fuel consumption, suspension performance on asphalt and rough terrain. Igor Burtsev is trying to climb a hill where even good SUVs give up. See for yourself what came of it.
Comparison of engines and transmissions of Skoda Kodiak and Kia Sorento Prime
** Not available for imported Czech-built vehicles manufactured in 2017
Driving performance and fuel consumption of Skoda Kodiak and Kia Sorento Prime
Studying the Kia Sorento Prime, you can see that when driving under standard conditions, both cars behave quite well and do not cause any particular complaints from experts. They don’t try to test them on real off-road conditions - after all, they are “SUVs” and not serious jeeps (although, how can we not remember the Skoda Yeti, which, even with smaller dimensions than the Kodiak and Sorento Prime, traveled on expeditions and through deserts , and across the steppe, and across endless snow).
The maximum speed for both cars is limited to 210 kilometers per hour. True, the Skoda with the weakest engine has a speed of only 190 kilometers per hour. The Kodiak accelerates to “hundreds” faster. It weighs significantly less than its competitor (maximum curb weight, for example, for 5-seat petrol versions) - 1707 kilograms versus 1939 kilograms for Kia).
In terms of fuel consumption, the Czech crossover also looks preferable to the Korean.
Comparison of dynamics and fuel consumption of Skoda Kodiaq and Kia Sorento Prime (diesel)***
***Data taken from the top-end Kodiaq diesel engine from its entire range.
Comparison of dynamics and fuel consumption of Kodiak and Sorento Prime (gasoline)****
****Data taken from the top-end Kodiaq petrol engine from its entire range.
Prices for Skoda Kodiaq and Kia Sorento Prime
As of June 2017, the Kia Sorento Prime costs in Russia from 2 134 900 before 2 714 900 rubles Kodiak price range for imported Czech-assembled cars produced in 2017: from 1 999 000 before 2,615,000 rubles. In the first year of sales, the Czech manufacturer offers only all-wheel drive vehicles and only with the premium Ambition Plus and Style Plus trim levels. Additionally, you can purchase a third row of seats, a panoramic roof, atmospheric lighting, etc. In 2018, assembly will be launched at a plant in Russia. According to preliminary information, in 2018 the cheapest localized Kodiaq will cost about 1,500,000 rubles (front-wheel drive, 1.4 TSI 125 hp)
Conclusion
The Kia Sorento Prime is half a step higher than the Kodiaq in terms of interior quality, but is inferior to the Czech in terms of modern electronic equipment and assistants. The lower price for the Skoda Kodiak after localization may well force those who wanted to buy a Korean crossover to turn their attention to the “bear”.
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/autovoditel/
Let me introduce
Remember what Honda cars were like ten to fifteen years ago? Progressive design, pronounced sportiness. We even called them “Japanese BMWs.” But Honda is a small company, there is nowhere to expect support in times of crisis - and technical delights are a thing of the past. Sic transit gloria mundi - Honda's image has faded considerably.
But in Russia, things are in shambles: by this summer, only the CR-V SUV, which is seven years old, remained in service.
There is safety in numbers. In June, the CR-V was joined by the full-size crossover Pilot - thanks to it, Honda believes, things should get better.
To be successful in the market, you need to be better than your competitors, and they are by no means weaklings - in any case, the Ford Explorer and Kia Sorento Prime, which we took for a comparison test. All cars have naturally aspirated V6 petrol engines with 249 hp. and six-speed automatic transmissions. Everything is fair.
Marks of Excellence
You look at the Pilot and wonder: why was it made an enlarged copy of the CR-V? Where is the original identity? The former angular, muscular appearance was immediately remembered - the Pilot always stood out in the crowd. And the follower is too average, too unemotional.
The Ford Explorer was just like that recently. Unprepossessing and dull. But after restyling he became more dignified - now he is stately and respectable. The length of the Explorer is over five meters. Superbison! It is so monumental that it seems like the sun never sets above it: it’s sunset in front, and dawn is already behind it.
The Sorento Prime is slightly shorter, narrower and lower. From some angles you might even mistake it for a raised station wagon. “Squat” bumpers also contribute to this.
The Kia's interior also makes a car-like impression. Low-slung, progressive design - some of the style is reminiscent of premium cars. For example, an arc along the lower edge of the windshield, like in Jaguars, or wide decorative trims on the doors, looking at which you involuntarily recall Mercedes. Not bad examples for comparison, right? Of course, in terms of the level of materials, the “Korean” does not match them, but compared to its rivals it looks advantageous. And it also has the best front seats: with an excellent profile and many adjustments - you can even move the popliteal bolster.
The Explorer has even more adjustments, and in addition there is a massager, but the seats themselves are not so well designed. In particular, tall people lack the length of the pillow. As is usual with the “Americans,” they could not do without an electric drive for the pedal assembly. An interesting thing, but, in my opinion, it would be better to make a normal platform for the left foot - the one that is there forces you to turn the foot to the right. I also didn’t like the speedometer, which was overloaded with double digitization (why do we need these miles?). But otherwise the interior is quite pleasant, although it still feels five years old.
The interior of the Pilot no longer evokes associations with military all-terrain vehicles - not a trace remains of the soldier's asceticism. Nice design, rich equipment. The upper part of the center console is given over to the advanced Honda Connect multimedia system with Android OS. Internet access, a navigator with a traffic monitoring system - competitors cannot offer such a service. The driving position is comfortable, but the seats are clearly not designed for thin drivers: you want to tighten the sides of the backrest. On the contrary, make the rim of the steering wheel more plump.
Visibility in the Honda is good: the windshield pillars are thin, the outside mirrors are large, and when you turn on the right turn signal, the screen displays the image from the right mirror - you can see everything! This signature feature debuted on the current generation Accord.
There is also an additional mirror for monitoring rear passengers. And there could be as many as six of them, since the Pilot is an eight-seater. The second row is the most spacious of the trio. You can move parts of the seat back and forth, like competitors, and change the angle of the backrests. But the multimedia system with a screen that folds down from the ceiling is only available from Honda. I move to the seat of the last row: my legs are not cramped, there is also enough headroom, but my shoulders feel tight - you can’t go far with three people.
Ford's second row is more cramped. The lack of space is also felt in the luggage areas. But they can be folded and unfolded using an electric drive.
In the second row of the Kia, the space is approximately the same as in a Ford, but there is no separate “weather” control panel - individual air conditioning is provided only for third-row riders. A strange decision: how often will it be busy if only preschool children can sit quietly there?
