Kilometres travelled
50,000 - 75,000 km
Did you buy this car new or used?
Used
If used, what year did you buy it used?
2023
How much did you pay? (including all on-road costs)
37000
What were your needs when you bought this car? Has it fulfilled those needs?
We wanted a family friendly 7 seater SUV which was fuel efficient, comfortable yet enjoyable to drive, plenty of cargo space and all wheel drive for the ski fields and South Island winter driving. We wanted a vehicle which could do it all from family trips away to being the weekly bus around town.
What were your initial thoughts about the car? Tell us why it appealed to you.
While shopping around I found that the Sorento used price was less than many other models in the same segment. It shares a lot with the Santa Fe such as engine and transmission. Top of line models are not much more than the base ones. You can definitely get a lot for the money. We looked at the Mazda CX9 but at over 5m (5.2m?) long we realised it would not fit in our garage. This is our second Sorento. We liked the first one (a 2016 premium) but this facelift model came with a raft of updates such as a 8 speed transmission (previously 6), re tuned suspension, 360 degree camera, 9 speaker Harmon Kardon audio system with app car play and a suite of safety updates. We had the previous one for 2 years, and with the kms getting up a bit we felt it was time for an upgrade.
What have you discovered since owning the car?
The fuel economy is great on long journeys getting late 6s to mid 7s per 100km on trips to Dunedin to see family. The Snow White pearl colour is eye catching and is easy to keep clean
What do you like/dislike about the car?
Over the previous Sorento? We like the improved handling and body control, my wife no longer has to brace herself for corners . The bumps on the road no longer thuds through the cabin. The adaptive cruise control system is much more snappier to respond. The vehicle keeps in the centre of the lane and can steer around around small bends The extra couple of gears makes a big difference, it feels well mated to the engine . The 8th gear at highway speeds sets the revs down to 1500 RPM. While fuel consumption is similar on the weekly around town runs, on the highway we get down into the late 6s litres per 100km . One thing that had surprised us is the 360 degree camera. It make it very easy to park because you can see the carpark lines and everything around you. The led adaptive headlights are very bright and auto dip feature works a treat Otherwise the space inside the vehicle is perfect for our family of five. We like how there is a flat floor in the rear. Practicality is excellent. The car doesn’t feel big to drive and visibility is great. Love the heated steering wheel and seats on those colder days. The large sunroof lets the light pour into the cabin and kids love watching the stars on those night time travels. Visually the car looks great not over styled like some others . More subtle in my view . The only dislike is that the diesel engine can be a bit noisy at lower speeds . But you can just turn up the volume on the stereo system and it’s no longer a problem!
Any other comments on the car?
Our old Sorento was good but this one is even better. The Sorento is a practical, reliable all rounder SUV which are underrated in my opinion.
Reliability
4
Features/technology
5
Performance/economy
4
Value for money
5
Overall rating
4
Lastly, would you buy this vehicle again?
Yes
Why would/wouldn't you buy it again?
The practicality and reliability of the vehicle. value for money. Fuel economy. Great family SUV. If you are looking for a SUV I would recommend taking one for a test drive.