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Kia makes a convincing case, but infuriates
I've been driving the latest revised
Kia Sorrento. It makes a very convincing case and is certain to
become a more common sight on UK roads, particularly with the new
more powerful 2.5-litre turbo diesel.
Thus equipped Sorrento offers a good mix of performance and economy, with a huge dose of practicality. It's a 4x4 but one that is very much at home in daily road use.
I took it off road, where - with the flick of the dashboard knob - the Sorrento drops down into low ratio. The only bar to more serious off-roading is the ground clearance. There were a couple of points on the off-road route where the Sorrento kissed the ground.
Still, as a vehicle that would keep you going in the occasional snow, or across a muddy field to the local fete, the Sorrento makes good sense - especially when prices start at just £19,995.
But for all that, the Sorrento is also infuriating.
Yes, I know that the logical place for the indicator stalk on a right-hand-drive car is on the right and up until the 1960s that's where most British cars had them. But, we are now used to the European/US norm which is to have the indicators on the left.
Sure, if you owned a Kia, going to the right for the indicators and dipswitch would become natural. But, for those of us who only occasionally drive one, it is not just annoying but potentially dangerous.
Just ask the driver I inadvertently dazzled with my windscreen washers.
Thus equipped Sorrento offers a good mix of performance and economy, with a huge dose of practicality. It's a 4x4 but one that is very much at home in daily road use.
I took it off road, where - with the flick of the dashboard knob - the Sorrento drops down into low ratio. The only bar to more serious off-roading is the ground clearance. There were a couple of points on the off-road route where the Sorrento kissed the ground.
Still, as a vehicle that would keep you going in the occasional snow, or across a muddy field to the local fete, the Sorrento makes good sense - especially when prices start at just £19,995.
But for all that, the Sorrento is also infuriating.
Yes, I know that the logical place for the indicator stalk on a right-hand-drive car is on the right and up until the 1960s that's where most British cars had them. But, we are now used to the European/US norm which is to have the indicators on the left.
Sure, if you owned a Kia, going to the right for the indicators and dipswitch would become natural. But, for those of us who only occasionally drive one, it is not just annoying but potentially dangerous.
Just ask the driver I inadvertently dazzled with my windscreen washers.
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