Over the past 12 months I've driven pretty much everything in the South Korea-based manufacturer's range, and I've been impressed by them all in their own way, but the Sorento raises the bar.Launched back in 2002 as the company's first SUV, the third generation-model now offers a smoother, swept-back profile and deeply sculpted surfaces, as well as more space and numerous innovative features.So confident are Kia in the new look of the Sorento that they got none other than former James Bond Pierce Brosnan to make the "Perfect Getaway" in a 60-second commercial which made its broadcast debut during the third quarter of Super Bowl XLIX.They're right to be confident too as the striking looking all-wheel drive 4x4 is bigger and better than ever before, and is packed full of standard kit.Take the exterior for example, which is longer, lower and wider, with an extended wheelbase than the outgoing model .The front features a larger, more upright 'tiger-nose' grille, with a distinctive three-dimensional diamond pattern, and long, swept-back headlamps. The lower roofline, higher beltline and more muscular, rounded shoulders at the rear give the car a dramatic appearance.The interior styling was led by the brand's European design team, based in Frankfurt, and Kia's designers have created a more sophisticated, more luxurious cabin, featuring significantly higher quality materials.The styling of the cabin follows a 'modern and wide' theme, providing the interior with a stable, horizontal layout and appearance. This width is echoed in the wider instrument cluster, interior garnish and the wrap-around shape of the dashboard which extends into the door trims. A higher proportion of soft-touch materials and leather creates a modern luxury feel to the cabin and gives the new Sorento a genuine premium vehicle ambiance.One of the most distinctive interior styling features is the Swiss watch-inspired center-console, which incorporates Kia's latest HIM (human-machine interface) technologies.And then there's the practicality side of the Sorento, which compares favorably to anything I've ever driven. The extended length and width of the new model has resulted in a bigger boot and greater head and legroom. The third row of seats fold flush into the boot floor, while the second row also folds flat by pulling a handle in the boot and can slide back and forth to accommodate larger passengers in the third row.Starting from just shy of £30,000, choosing a new Sorento couldn't be easier as there's only one engine available – a 2.2-litre CDR diesel which has 197 bhp.So the only choice you have to make is which trim option to opt for and whether to opt for a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. The entry level KX-1, which is only available as a manual, boasts a raft of standard features – everything from a DAB radio, manual front and rear air conditioning 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and speed limiter, electric folding mirrors and a rear spoiler.I drove the second from top-of-the-range KX-3 which benefitted from numerous extras including a panoramic sunroof that flooded the cabin with natural light, 18-inch alloys, an eight-inch satellite navigation system featuring the latest media and a rear view camera and a lane departure warning system. This model costs just less than £36,000, while the KX-4, which adds numerous further features costs £41,000.It's a lot of money, but then again you get a lot of car and technology for it. Kia has paid specific attention to detail, and it shows. The steering wheel mounted controls are easy to use, and by pressing a button you can choose between Normal, CEO or Sport mode to adjust the transmission to to your preferred driving style and driving environment.The model I drove also came with a Smart power tailgate which opens automatically when the smart entry system key is detected behind the car for three seconds –ideal when you've got your hands fullThe outside looks great, and the plush inside oozes quality and grandeur that you would more associate with some of the leading European manufacturers such as Mercedes, BMW or Audi.The drive is as comfortable as anything I've driven, and the steering was remarkably light for such a big car and the automatic gearbox was smooth. It's also remarkably quiet once up and moving. Road and wind noise never become an issue, and it felt faster than its 0-62 mph time of just under 10 seconds suggests when I took it on a dual carriage way.Kia has worked hard to make the Sorento as economical and safe as it possibly can, and the industry-leading seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty offers owners peace of mind.
