Kia Sorento

It was a vehicle built for lugging great loads and crossing difficult terrain, and one which the family may have found difficult to fall in love with because of its foibles in an urban environment, If ever an example were needed of a car design being taken back to the drawing board, this it it.

In fact, Kia took it to some swish design studios in California, where they know a thing or two about lifestyle SUVs and where chief designer Peter Schreyer masterminded some radical changes.

With one eye on the market research that showed today’s SUV buyers are younger, more likely to be female and want the car for family use rather than a traditional country lifestyle, the sophistication level and perceptions of quality were given a thorough going over.

In all but the entry-level petrol option, the number of seats was upped from five to seven. Across the range, weight was reduced, engines hushed, fuel made to go further, drag reduced, a monocoque frame used and the appearance made more modern and sporty.

The extra seats should prove attractive to families. The second row has space for three passengers and the third row will take a couple of children. Both rows fold flat to provide 1,525 litres of space, and with the third row folded down there is still bags of room (531 litres), whereas the is only 111 litres on offer if all the seats are upright. And adjustment is made by simply pulling down a strap.

Power in the diesel options comes from a 2.2-litre Kia/Hyundai state-of-the-art engine that delivers a whopping 194bhp and is better than the previous 2.5-litre version in every respect.. It is mated with either a manual or automatic six-speed gearbox that decreases fuel consumption by 12 per cent. I achieved about an average of about 40mpg during a week-long test in various environments, although the official figure is slightly higher at 42.2mpg.

There are seven diesel models available, offering a choice of two or four-wheel drive and four specification levels. The tested KX-2 version offers cruise control, automatic climate control, heated leather seats, privacy glass and steering wheel-mounted audio controls, reversing sensors and a clutch of cosmetic touches above the already-generous standard specification. Step up to the KX-3 and you get a raft of luxury touches straight out of premium class and an electric panoramic sunroof.

In making the Sorento more family-focused and less aggressive, it is less capable off-road than its predecessor. The ride height has been reduced by 19mm and its towing limit is a reduced to 2,500kg (2000kg for the auto), which is from 3,500kg – the maximum allowed by law.

That said, there is plenty of power and torque on offer, and while the petrol model is only available in front-wheel drive for, the diesel offers a choice of two or four-wheel drive.

There is no low ratio to tackle severe terrain, but it remains capable away from Tarmac and is more than a soft-roader. Drivers can select a Lock mode for improved traction in snow or mud or for off-roading, and traction is boosted by hill-start assist to prevent wheelspin and slip when setting off and downhill brake control that limits speed to 5mph during steep descents.

Having made all these improvements, Kia may find that the pricing presents an obstacle to ownership. The range starts at £20,830 for the petrol five-seater and rises to £30,005 for the range-topping KX-3 model.

The world of the SUV has changed enormously since the first-generation Sorento arrived in 2002. In revising it, Kia realised that it was a case of adapt or die in the new climate of frugal fuel consumption and awareness of global warming.

If some of the rough-and-tough features have gone, then so be it. This is a re-invented SUV firmly planted in the future rather than dwelling on its past.

Kia Sorento

Model: 2.2 CRDi KX-2 4WD, £25,620.

Engine: 2.2-litre diesel.

Transmission: Six-speed manual driving all four wheels.

Performance: 0-60mph in 9.2 seconds; top speed 118mph.

Economy: 42.2mpg combined.

CO2 Rating: 177 g/km.