With the arrival of a trio of hybrid options, Kia’s V6 Sorento GT-Line is repositioned to the middle of the pack. If outright fuel efficiency isn’t high on the list of priorities, the most affordable of the high-grade Sorentos looks like a bit of a bargain.
2023 Kia Sorento GT-Line
There was a time when selecting a large front-wheel-drive SUV as the family car was purely a pragmatic decision, giving in to compromise like those people who commute to work in full corporate attire and runners.
Large crossovers and SUVs used to be hulking, unwieldy things that felt more like vans with seats than aspirational freedom machines, but the market couldn’t be more different today.
With increasing demand, the various brands have responded with a broad range of options that make light work of day-to-day duties, are genuinely enjoyable to live with and, most importantly, don’t resign themselves to mediocrity.
Few vehicles exemplify that point better than the Kia Sorento. Now in its fourth generation, the South Korean manufacturer’s largest SUV has evolved into a handsome machine that offers quality and practicality in a package that fulfils a ‘want’ as much as a ‘need’.
Kia recently introduced the first plug-in hybrid version of the Sorento range, creating a new flagship of the line-up and succeeding the previous GT-Line range-topper that we’re driving here.
With V6 power combined with the most generous equipment of the family and mid-range pricing, the 2021 Drive Car of the Year has never looked more alluring.
How much does the Kia Sorento cost in Australia?
There’s a fair bit of choice in the Kia Sorento line-up with four grades on offer, choices of four powertrains, and front- and all-wheel-drive options depending on the combination.
From October 2021, a trio of hybrids joined the range. The most affordable closed-loop hybrid front-drive costs $66,750, the AWD equivalent ups the price to $69,750, while the only plug-in hybrid is the most expensive priced from $81,330 plus on-road costs.
There are no budget hybrid versions on offer with all three offered in the Sorento’s most generous GT-Line specification.
At the most affordable end of the range, however, is the Sorento S V6, which gets a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive for $47,650, above that is the Sport for $50,270, and the Sport+ completes the middle of the range from $54,850, all before on-road costs.
In all cases, a turbocharged diesel four-cylinder powertrain with all-wheel drive can be optioned for $3000, but we’re going to focus on the most premium of the V6 petrols – the GT-Line that is priced from $62,070 plus on-road costs.
All GT-Line Sorentos get LED head and tail-lights, panoramic sunroof, quilted nappa leather upholstery, seven seats, digital instrument displays, and a whole heap of technology and safety features. All colours except flat white attract a $695 premium and ours is dressed up in Snow Pearl White. Other than that, the one you see here is as the GT-Line comes out of the box with no other extras or options added.
| Key details | 2023 Kia Sorento GT-Line |
| Price | $62,070 plus on-road costs |
| Colour of test car | Snow Pearl White |
| Options | Premium paint – $695 |
| Price as tested | $62,765 plus on-road costs |
| Drive-away price | $66,715 (Melbourne) |
| Rivals | Toyota Kluger | Hyundai Santa Fe | Nissan Pathfinder |
How much space does the Kia Sorento have inside?
The Kia Sorento is a large three-row SUV, which means it has space for up to seven people on board – two in the front row, three in the middle and two at the back.
The third row is often a bone of contention for seven-seaters, with some appearing to include the feature as little more than a gesture, while others are a genuinely practical offering. In the case of the Sorento, it’s the latter.
Not only is there among the most space you’ll find in a three-row SUV, getting people in and out is made much simpler with push-button electric folding of the second-row seats. Once back there, occupants have their own blower fan and speed control, one USB charger socket each side, and a generous cubby for devices and cups.
The second row is an even nicer place to be with heaters for the outside seats, proper cupholders built into the door trims (Not cluttering the centre console or small versions in the folding armrest typical to many SUVs – the Sorento also gets this type too) plus bottle holders below, a pair of USB charging ports, and even a 12-volt power socket.
Not only do the second-row seats split-fold 60:40, but they also tilt and slide for position adjustment too. There’s heaps of space and the seat comfort is excellent.
Even with all three rows of seating in place, the Sorento still offers 187L of boot space (that’s 57L bigger than the Hyundai Santa Fe), but if more space is required, the third-row seats stow easily with the tug of a strap.
Once folded, the Sorento boot expands to 616L, which is generous but more importantly is a useful shape with 110cm between the wheel-arch intrusions. There are also some excellent touches, such as a special storage tub hidden under the boot floor for hiding the load-area blind when not in use.
Fold the second row of seating and the boot increases in volume again to more than 2000L. Boot space is increased by locating the spare (and it’s a full-size wheel) under the car at the rear.
Scattered about the Sorento cabin are a plethora of handy storage cubbies and bins. The front central storage tub under the armrest is deep, and there are a number of smaller pots in front, including a generous void under the dash that includes a wireless device charger pad.
| 2023 Kia Sorento GT-Line | |
| Seats | Seven |
| Boot volume | 187L to third row 616L to second row 2011L to first row |
| Length | 4810mm |
| Width | 1900mm |
| Height | 1700mm |
| Wheelbase | 2815mm |
Does the Kia Sorento have Apple CarPlay?
Interestingly, while all Sorentos have both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, it’s only the entry-level S that allows connection wirelessly, but it’s only the GT-Line that gets wireless device charging. Ordinarily, you’d find both wireless features offered in combination at the pointy end rather than separated at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Beyond that, the levels of specification are distributed much more logically, and when you get to the most premium GT-Line end, there’s plenty of standard kit included.
The central information and entertainment screen measures an impressive 10.3 inches, and is complemented by a 12.3-inch digital driver’s instrument cluster that’s unique to the GT-Line. As if that wasn’t enough digital information, the GT also offers a full-colour 10-inch head-up display.
Other unique GT-Line tech includes colour-changing ambient lighting and a 12-speaker Bose sound system, along with some clever touches. We particularly liked the Passenger Talk system that allows front seat occupants to talk to rear passengers without raising their voices thanks to microphones that relay chat through the sound system.
Kia has not skimped on equipping its Sorento flagship with comfort kit either, with a long list of features for all occupants. In the front row there are heated and ventilated seats, three USB-A ports but no more contemporary USB-C, and heating for the fine leather-upholstered steering wheel.
Lovely quilted leather and a vast sunroof lift the general cabin quality feel, along with a sporty black roof lining. And while tech levels are good, the dash design with silver plastics is looking a little basic at best and dated at worst, perhaps even cheap.
The rotary gear selector is unorthodox but not hard to get used to, and our only other criticism is in the volume and hot button keys, which are on the left side of the screen – fine for left-hand-drive vehicles but a long reach for divers of the RHD versions.
And while the build quality is typically impressive, as per the entire Kia family, a few squeaks and rattles in our particular test car were a surprising occurrence.
Storage is another Sorento strength with a huge central bin in the front row, lots of little cubbies, deep door pockets all round and that huge boot.
Is the Kia Sorento a safe car?
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) tested the Sorento when it launched in 2020 and awarded the model with its full five-star rating.
Vulnerable road user protection was not its strong point with the omission of AEB back-over prevention and a 63 per cent score, but it redeemed itself with an above-average 89 per cent score in safety assistance.
| 2023 Kia Sorento GT-Line | |
| ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2020) |
| Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the Kia Sorento have?
While the GT-Line has a significant amount of extra comfort and luxury kit compared with the rest of the range, all Sorentos share the same excellent levels of passive and active safety features.
All Sorento variants are offered with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and intersection intervention, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping and lane-centring assistance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, auto high-beam headlights, driver attention monitoring, safe exit assist, and rear occupant alert.
That said, the GT-Line adds a cool blind-spot monitoring camera which, thanks to its larger digital instrument cluster, momentarily substitutes either the speedometer or tachometer for what’s in the Sorento’s blind spot from a camera positioned on each door mirror.
Seven airbags are standard across the range, although curtain airbags only protect occupants in the first and second rows of seating.
ISOFIX-type child seats can be installed in four of the rear seats, while all five offer top-tethers.
How much does the Kia Sorento cost to maintain?
Kia offers one of the longest new car warranties with all its models, and a seven-year deal that includes roadside assistance and capped-price servicing for the same period.
Scheduled servicing for the Sorento GT-Line is due every 15,000km or 12 months. The first visit for planned maintenance will cost $345, while the most expensive servicing attention occurs on the fourth visit – $733.
The first three years of Sorento GT-Line planned maintenance will cost $1304, five years will total $2425, while the full seven years of capped-price servicing will cost $3502.
Insuring the Sorento GT-Line will cost $1787 per year based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates will vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
It’s also worth noting that the GT-Line has 20-inch wheels as standard, which is on the large side for the segment and replacing tyres will be more expensive as a result, especially if you exchange like-for-like and the recommended Continental Premium Contact 6 rubber.
| At a glance | 2023 Kia Sorento GT-Line |
| Warranty | Seven years, unlimited kilometres |
| Service intervals | 12 months / 15,000km |
| Servicing costs | $1304 (3 years) $2425 (5 years) $3502 (7 years) |
Is the Kia Sorento fuel-efficient?
If outright fuel efficiency is high up the list of priorities, the Sorento diesel with AWD is offered in all specification grades and claims to use 6.1 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle, which is very good for a large SUV with all-wheel drive.
As this is the V6 petrol, however, its larger capacity non-turbo engine is more thirsty using a claimed 9.7L/100km.
As it’s naturally aspirated, Kia does not recommend high-octane fuel, and the option to pump 91RON at the bowser will certainly help with fuel costs.
That said, our test car actually improved on its maker’s claim, using an average of just 9.1L/100km over a combination of city and freeway driving.
Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 9.7L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 9.1L/100km |
| Fuel type | 91-octane unleaded |
| Fuel tank size | 67L |
What is the Kia Sorento like to drive?
Large, hulking seven-seaters aren’t normally marketed for their sporty credentials or performance ability, and while the Sorento V6 isn’t exactly a sports car, it does still pack a surprising performance promise.
V6 petrol power is not unique to the segment, but the Kia 3.5-litre V6 Smartstream unit is free-revving and produces a useful 200kW at 6300rpm and an equally handy 332Nm at 5000rpm.
The latter isn’t quite as good for towing as the 2.2-litre diesel’s 440Nm at 1750rpm, but with peak performance positioned high in the revs, the Sorento GT-Line can really pick up its heels and make a satisfying sound in the process.
The V6 is bolted to an eight-speed torque-converter-type automatic transmission, which is smooth and stoic for a majority of the time, but not as peppy as the dual-clutch type you get with the diesel. It’s also a little reluctant to shift gears at times.
As the abundant power is only sent to the front wheels, traction can be a problem especially from a standstill, while torque steer is a regular occurrence if the throttle is prodded enthusiastically.
When up and rolling, though, the Sorento has a really excellent turn of pace and carries speed confidently with strong acceleration.
Its locally tuned suspension does a good job of soaking up bumps, while keeping enough roll resistance and damper flexibility in reserve to allow a bit of fun at the wheel.
Complicated deflections or a series of bumps in quick succession can upset the ride with the suspension struggling to recover, but otherwise the ride is relaxing and comfortable.
The same applies to the general cabin comfort with large, generous seat accommodation that doesn’t sacrifice much in the way of support despite the wide cushioning.
And while we were expecting a bit of roar and rumble from the large, good-looking alloy wheels, road noise is well insulated from the interior.
| Key details | 2023 Kia Sorento GT-Line |
| Engine | 3.5-litre V6 petrol |
| Power | 200kW @ 6300rpm |
| Torque | 332Nm @ 5000rpm |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Eight-speed torque converter automatic |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 109kW/t |
| Weight (tare) | 1835kg |
| Spare tyre type | Full-size |
| Tow rating | 2000kg braked 750kg unbraked |
| Turning circle | 11.6m |
Should I buy a Kia Sorento GT-Line?
If towing anything, whether it be a caravan, trailer or small boat, the V6 petrol version of the Sorento GT-Line is probably not the best option to go for, with its fraternal twin’s four-cylinder diesel and AWD combination providing the more utilitarian pairing.
Other manufacturers also offer a decent combination of generous specification in partnership with torquey engines that lend themselves better to hauling duty. Mazda’s CX-9 and the Hyundai Santa Fe are two to consider.
The same can also be said for off-road applications, with the Sorento diesel’s all-wheel drive lending itself better for more adventurous applications. However, when it comes to more suburban work, the V6 Sorento comes into its own.
A surprisingly sporty package brings excellent performance combined with the looks to match and a big bus that’s happy to hustle. Combined with an almost unrivalled standard set of equipment that manages to be technologically superior, as well as offering some desirable comfort and luxury touches, the GT-Line brings a lot for the cash.
With more fuel-efficient versions now available in the higher tiers of the Sorento family, the V6’s thirst is really starting to show. But what it costs in fuel consumption, the GT-Line V6 makes up for in purchase price and the most affordable way into the most premium-specced Sorentos.
Think of it as the comfort and performance of a running shoe with the sophistication of full corporate attire.
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