THERE are but few traditional, separate-chassis 4WD wagons with part-time 4WD left on the market, so in a sense they are a dying breed amid a sea of soft-road crossovers. But the Kia Sorento, updated late last year and now featuring an up-to-the-minute common-rail 2.5-litre turbo-diesel and (optional) five-speed automatic transmission, proves that you can pack a lot of technology and value in a rugged ‘small-medium’ SUV wagon. There are not many wagons that combine the nimble exterior dimensions that city SUV buyers need with the tough underpinnings and 4WD system to really hit the trails like the Sorento does, and it’s a practical towing proposition, too.
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Kia Sorento
Released: October 2004
Ended: August 2007
Family Tree: SorentoTHE BL Sorento was first introduced in February 2003 with a 3.5-litre V6 mated to a four-speed auto. Kia updated the Sorento in October 2004 with a five-speed auto and also introduced a five-speed manual version. A bigger V6 petrol engine was added in April 2007. The 3.8-litre quad-cam V6 produced 196kW of power (an increase of some 35 per cent) and 353Nm of torque (up about 20 per cent). Cabin revisions included a redesigned dashboard and centre console, and reshaped front seats, the latter offering a bit more legroom for rear-seat occupants. Rear seatbacks were also claimed to be easier to manoeuvre.
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