Jointly with the 3.5-litre V6 petrol automatic, this is the most expensive variant in the Sorento range, but it's still pretty competitively priced compared with cars which Kia (optimistically in some cases) regards as its direct rivals. It's fair to say, though, that none of them comes with the same kind of finance package - as with other Kia models, the Sorento can be bought with a deposit as low as £1.It's no surprise that most versions are marketed with the 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine, because it remains a very impressive affair, thanks partly to the mid-range pull of an engine producing 231lb/ft of torque from 1850rpm, and partly to its almost class-leadingly smooth and quiet running.The automatic transmission does, of course, affect the fuel consumption, but it's noticeable that there's very little difference in the 0-62mph time and top speed between the manual and automatic versions. Unlike a number of other 4x4s, the Sorento automatic transmission is a three-speed plus overdrive design.This system may be regarded in some quarters as a little passé, but I find it very convenient, when wanting to drop down a gear for a spot of overtaking or some extra oomph on hills, to press an overdrive button on the selector lever rather than haul the lever about or rely on that crude business of kickdown.The entry-level Sorento XE manual is priced at £17,995. Automatic transmission as on the test car costs £1000, which leaves the XS specification valued at an extra £3000. That's a considerable addition, and I'm not entirely sure where it all goes.Full-time rather than part-time four-wheel drive, a rear spoiler, leather upholstery, climate control, heated front seats with electrical adjustment for the driver's, cruise control, chromed doorhandles, electrically operated fold-in door mirrors, front wiper de-icing - well, I suppose there's a lot of upgrading there. And while the XS gets wood-grain effect trim on the fascia and centre console, it's a lot less garish than the stuff we've seen on some other Pacific Rim cars in the past.As our launch reports pointed out, the Sorento has a pretty roomy cabin, although it's another 4x4 with a high rear floor. The load floor is high off the ground too, with some hidden storage spaces underneath. High is also the word for the way the tailgate opens; there's little danger of banging your head against it. And Kia has sensibly built in a separately opening tailgate window.We've covered the Sorento's off-roading capabilities in the UK launch report, and also made mention of the fact that Porsche and Sachs both worked on the self-levelling suspension system. Kia says that this was "fine-tuned by Porsche following road testing in Spain and Germany. The set-up has paid particular emphasis to directional stability and ride quality at motorway driving speeds."Well, that's just dandy, but what came across very clearly during our home-ground test was that the Sorento feels very jittery at more modest speeds on less than billiard-table-smooth surfaces. We keep having to say that surfaces in the CARkeys neck of the woods are often third-rate at best - far below the standards expected in Germany and (after all the EU investment in the road network) in Spain. But those are the surfaces on which local motorists have to drive.There's no faulting the powertrain, though, and the Sorento is still a good-looking vehicle at a keen price.Second opinion: The Sorento rides well enough when the suspension isn't having to react quickly, such as on gentle undulations or on turn-in to corners, but its behaviour over sharper bumps could certainly do with some attention. And the comments above about switching off the overdrive rather than relying on kickdown are very pertinent considering the kickdown facility is almost non-existent, as I discovered when trying to overtake on uphill stretches. The XS's full-time 4x4 transmission, which felt less secure than the part-time system on the XE while off-roading at the UK launch, made several clunking noises on this test, and I think I'd prefer the XE in this respect. Despite these minor flaws, though, I still like the Sorento, and while it undoubtedly feels cheaper than cars that cost £10,000 more, it doesn't feel anything like £10,000 cheaper. David Finlay. Engine 2497cc, 6 cylinders Power 138bhp Fuel/CO2 31.7mpg / 238g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 14.5 seconds Top speed 104mph Price £21,995 Details correct at publication date
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