Following our review of the range-topping 2023 Kia Sorento recently, we were left wanting, perhaps of a bit more panache should we say, possibly because it offers the same powertrain found in the oh-so-good Kia Grand Carnival, thus expectations were justifiably high.

For the most part, the Sorento 2.2D offers a nicely designed and well-balanced overall package, and comes packed with goodies and features (though at a cost), but lacked the driving composure that the Carnival so beautifully delivers.

Also read: Review: 2023 Kia Sorento 2.2D AWD - Not cheap but you get what you pay for

Now, however, we call on the entry-level Kia Sorento 2.5G which costs nearly RM 45k less than the 2.2D. Is this the sweet spot we were looking for? Let's drive.

Overview

The Sorento 2.5G is the only 7-seater variant of the 2023 Kia Sorento range that was officially launched in early March. Further up from the 2.5G, there is the 2.5G AWD 6-seater and 2.2D AWD 6-seater which are priced at RM 235,498 and RM 255,228 respectively.

The Sorento 2.5G is offered in both 2WD and AWD powertrains, mated to a 6-speed automatic, whilst the range-topping 202 PS / 440 Nm 2.2D AWD gets an 8-speed dual-clutch (wet type) automatic transmission with terrain mode selection.

As it stands, the 2.5G is superbly equipped at the outset, packing Kia's complete ADAS suite as well as a comprehensive range of equipment such as keyless entry and start, LED headlights, powered front seats, Qi wireless charging and AA / AC connectivity.

Also read: From RM 211k, 2023 Kia Sorento launched in Malaysia - CKD, 2.5L NA, 2.2L turbodiesel

The middle child 2.5G AWD does add quite a few pub bragging features - crucially leather seats, the 12.3-inch digital cluster, 360-degree camera and Bose 12-speaker premium audio setup.

In terms of rivals, the closest competitor to the Sorento comes from Bermaz's own stable - the Mazda CX-8. The variant closest to parity is the CX-8 2.5G High Plus which retails for RM 205,000. You could also consider the RM 192k Toyota Fortuner 2.7L SRZ if you are in the market for a D-Segment 7-seater SUV.

Other indirect 7-seater rivals include the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace which retails from RM 160k to RM 237k depending on trim level and powertrain.

Exterior

Make no mistake, the Kia Sorento is a properly handsome SUV. Given its stature and overall proportions, the Sorento will turn heads when you pull up to your local mamak.

With muscular lines and sharp creases, the Sorento's design is very American in nature, and all the better for it. As opposed to its competitor, the CX-8, which is almost indistinguishable from a CX-5 unless you catch its badge, the Sorento is unique, and you'd know it once you glimpse its brawny front end.

Another cool fact is that regardless of a RM 45k price difference, the Sorento 2.5G gets all the styling and design elements of the more expensive variants, save smaller 18-inch wheels versus the 19-inch numbers available on the upper 2 variants.

Personally, one isn't losing out too much as the 18-inch wheels are pretty well designed too, and with thicker rubber, comes greater comfort whilst on the move.

Interior

Stepping inside, the Sorento is just as impressive, starting with a superb driving position and a well-designed dashboard, it takes just a few minutes to get in, get acquainted and start driving. Much like the Sorento 2.2D, the build quality is superb, as are the overall ergonomics of the cockpit.

Also read: Hybrid and PHEV variants of 2023 Kia Sorento ruled out for Malaysia

The Sorento 2.5G misses out on the slick-looking 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and makes do with analogue dials instead, but they work pretty well nonetheless. Elsewhere, the 2.5G also loses out on a 360-degree camera, Bose 12-speaker audio system and rear sunshades.

Of all the above, the one you'd need the most is the 360-degree camera, because make no mistake, the Sorento is a large SUV, which is helped mightily, especially during parking with the 360-cam. With that said, the Sorento 2.5G's reverse camera offers a pretty decent view of the rear even in low light and rainy conditions.

Elsewhere, audiophiles will love the Bose audio setup, which thumps out great notes, and stages it across the large cabinspace of the Sorento. Of course, it's nowhere near as powerful as the Bose, but the 2.5G's 6-speaker setup does manage to beam music with impressive clarity which I surmise should be good enough for most owners.

But once you get past the downsized equipment list, it's all upsides in the Sorento 2.5G. For starters, whilst it loses out on the leatherette seats, the fabric items are nicely designed and beautifully padded, and in my opinion, more comfortable than the leather items. On testing day, I got out of the Sorento and jumped into the new Honda Civic e:HEV RS which immediately felt like going from a soft sofa to a banquet chair.

Things bring me to the proper 2nd-row bench seats of the Sorento 2.5G and why I say it's the pick of the lot. Deemed as a luxury feature, the 6-seater Sorento variants offer two individual seats in the second row, which would be fine if they were proper captain seats like you get in an MPV, but they aren't.

Instead, Kia has simply lopped off the central 20 percent of the bench and added thin armrests - which leaves you with smallish 2nd-row seats, a central runway you can't really use to get to the back and if you have five passengers, one is forced to use the third row which isn't as spacious, whereas carrying 5 passengers in the Sorento 2.5G is easy-peasy, not to mention more comfortable.

As for the 3rd-row, kids will be fine back there, and perhaps for adults 170 cm or less, for short trips. In this regard, the Mazda CX-8 executes this configuration far better than the Sorento.

Refinement levels

As for refined, the Sorento 2.5G delivers a pleasurable and pleasant driving experience on par with the Sorento 2.5D.

With double-glazed windows (at the front) and a quiet engine, the Sorento 2.5G returned the following cabin noise levels in testing.

Some tyre and wind noise does creep in at the lower footwells around 110 km/h - 120 km/h, but one could hardly call it a deal-breaker.

Driving experience

Having tested the powertrain of the 202 PS / 440 Nm Sorento 2.2D, in truth we expected the 180 PS / 232 Nm Sorento 2.5G to be asthmatic at best, but it wasn't. Whilst it won't win any drag races, the Sorento 2.5G does offer a decent turn of speed on the road.

Completing the 0-100 km/h dash with a best time of 11.0 seconds, it's quite a bit slower than the Sorento 2.2D which races to 100 km/h in just 8.8 seconds, but the Sorento 2.5G is fit for purpose.

Torque is delivered early, from about 1,800 rpm and sustained up to around 4,500 rpm, thus when combined with the sharpish gearing of the 6-speed automatic, the Sorento 2.5G gets up to highway speeds without much fuss.

Rest assured, power is adequate when you're driving in the city, highway or even for overtaking. In fact, over a short excursion down the Karak Highway, I felt the Sorento 2.5G only ran out of puff when I pushed it hard on some of the steeper sections, otherwise, progress was fluid and very smooth.

With that said, there's still that common disconnect in modulation I have experienced on many Kias before. For the most part, the transmission and engine are superbly modulated when driving moderately, and the transmission shift points are precise.

However, once you start to push the car for a while, the transmission logic becomes muddled and starts to hold gears for too long, as a result, the downshifts become unpredictable too. So let's say you drop a gear, and sweep through a few bends to overtake a few cars, once you want to settle back into a cruise, the transmission will unnecessarily hold the gear, perhaps thinking that you're still trying to have fun.

For the most part, it's just a bugbear and not something that will bother you 98 percent of the time. The Sorento 2.5G isn't a rip-roaring hot hatch after all.

But despite its size, the Sorento 2.5G isn't very hefty, weighing in at 1,719 kg, the Sorento isn't exactly a featherweight, but it isn't porkish either.

When coupled with impressive body rigidity, strong brakes and nicely weighted steering - the Sorento 2.5G is a delightful steer for the day-to-day grind. Plus, it has a very poised and balanced suspension setup too.

Thus, in terms of just being a smooth, enjoyable SUV to drive, it's right up there with my personal favourites, the Honda CR-V and previous-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC 200.

Fuel efficiency

Over a 60/40 mix of highway and city driving, the Sorento 2.5G returned an average fuel consumption of 10.8 litres/100 km.

Again, nothing extremely impressive but par the course for a naturally-aspirated SUV of its size.

Also read: Koreans prefer Kia over Hyundai, Kia Sorento and Kia Carnival leads 2022 sales tally

Maxing out almost all the available fuel from its 67-litre tank returned a total driving range of approximately 550 km, and this included the aforementioned driving on the Karak Highway which did not do any favours for fuel economy.

Conclusion

What it all boils down to is the pricetag. The Kia Sorento 2.5G is a well-packaged and capable family SUV, but as it stands, it's also more expensive than its immediate competitors and falls a tad short in terms of the 3rd-row space when compared to the Mazda CX-8.

However, it regains ground for its macho design, superb equipment list, overall build quality and composed driving experience.

But perhaps, another deciding reason to buy a Sorento 2.5G is its uniqueness. In a sea of ubiquitous SUVs, it stands out, it gets curious gazes - and if I'm spending in excess of RM 200k on an SUV, I should hope to have that. Additionally, given its pricetag and overall value, it's also the pick of the bunch with regard to the 2023 Kia Sorento.