Kia's tough-guy cred

By DAVID LINKLATER

Meet the Kia Sorento (no relation). No relation to Hyundai, that is. Given that Hyundai took over its Korean rival in 1998, you could be forgiven for thinking that the new Kia was heavily based on some Hyundai 4WD model, or vice-versa.

Not so, says importer Kia Motors New Zealand (no relation to Hyundai Automotive New Zealand): development work on the wagon started before the buyout and was too far advanced to change tack, so the Sorento's underpinnings are unique.

The company did take advantage of the Hyundai parts bin with the powerplant, though. Although Kia won't say as much, the Sorento's 145kW/295Nm, 3.5-litre V6 is a retuned version of the unit used in many Hyundai vehicles, including the Terracan.

In fact, look even further back and the engine is derived from Mitsubishi. Ditto for the four-speed automatic gearbox.

Confusing? Actually, the Sorento formula is rather simple: it's a handsome, roomy and modern 4WD wagon with loads of equipment at a very attractive price. At $44,995 it's smack in the middle of mid-size "soft roader" territory - Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester - but serves up V6 power instead of four, a separate chassis/rigid-rear-axle for hard-core off-roading capability and lots of cabin space. It's 17mm longer than the CR-V and occupies as much roadspace as some full-size 4WDs.

Standard equipment includes dual-stage front and side-curtain airbags, anti-lock braking with force distribution, cruise control, alloys, climate-control air conditioning and an MP3-compatible Kenwood CD player. It's an impressive list, marred only by the lap belt in the centre-rear seating position - but Kia New Zealand promises it's looking into that.

Some of the materials used in the cabin are modest, with hard plastics around the dash and door trims. But the styling is undeniably swish and the build quality is excellent. So while it's not particularly touchy-feely, it's satisfyingly well screwed together. A leather-trim package is being developed locally and should cost less than $3000.

The Sorento boasts a clever Borg Warner four-wheel-drive system called Active Torque Transfer (ATT). In normal driving the power goes to the rear wheels, but when slippage occurs drive is automatically shared with the front. A brief test drive on gravel highlighted the seamless nature of the system - as the car starts to slide, there's a gentle tug on the steering wheel as the front wheels pull the 2027kg wagon back into line.

Low-range is activated by a dashboard switch, which also locks front and rear axles together.

In low-speed urban driving the Kia still feels like an off-roader - shudders through the steering wheel and lots of lateral body movement over small bumps - but on the open road it can be driven with enthusiasm. Steering is direct and body roll is well contained through tight corners.

Kia claims the vehicle will also appeal to the horsey and boaty set, with an impressive 2.3-tonne braking towing capability and self-levelling rear suspension.

Loading is made easier by a hatchback-style rear door, while the glass also opens separately for smaller items. The rear seats can be folded flat without having to remove the headrests.

The Sorento seems to have a lot going for it: good looks, power, space for the family and - essential for any urban assault vehicle - tough-guy cred thanks to proper off-roader underpinnings.

There's only one area left for the Kia to conquer: image. When Sorentos are seen around the better suburbs or on the school run, the Korean brand will really be getting somewhere. Ask any Yummy Mummy - no matter how capable a vehicle is, it must also impress the relations.