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Kia Sorento PHEV is an easy car to get along with

Kia Sorento PHEV drive by Steve Rogers

Not so long ago Kia was shaking up the car industry. Reasonably priced, well built and with a ground-breaking seven year warranty.

From humble beginnings the Korean company has become an unstoppable force always ahead of the game, the strength of its electric car range is a case in point. But, there is always a but, does it have what it takes to fend off the cut price Chinese onslaught?

Sorento is a good example of how things have been turned on their head. Go back a year or so and it would be lauded as one of the best value seven seaters on the market. And then the Chinese arrived. The likes of Chery Tiggo 9 and the MG S9, a contender for my car of the year, have come along with plug-in hybrids at a fraction of the price of not just the Kia but every other seven seater outside their own market.

So how is Kia meeting the challenge? Let’s be clear, the Sorento is a fine car in all sorts of ways and the telling factor for me is that it is an easy car to get on with. If the Chinese models have one big fault it is that they can be bland and complicated. You are basically faced with two screens and have to get on with it.

Sorento, on the other hand, has arguably the best dashboard layout I have come across with a curved wide screen split into two 12.3in sections, driver’s display and central touchscreen. The driver’s display is big and bold with several steering wheel buttons to select a wad of information.

Sounds complicated but it’s not, although it might take a little time to find some of the clever short cut features like holding down the volume control to turn off the overspeed beep. Actually I found that useful and left it on. And there is a button to turn off lane hold rather than dabbing through the touchscreen menus.

Below is a clever mini touchscreen strip which alternates between quick keys for the radio and such like, or heating selections. Or just be lazy and use voice control for navigation destinations, changing the heating settings or radio stations. See what I mean about being easy to live with.

The most useful feature on the central screen takes the stress out of keeping within the limit on long stretches with an average speed camera. It monitors and displays your speed at all times, particularly useful on A roads where you are reluctant to overtake a slower driver for fear of being over the limit at the end.

Is Sorento really big enough to take seven people? The short answer is ‘yes’ because I put two adults in the third row who were satisfied with leg room and the full size seats while I had ample legroom sitting in the middle row.

Getting in and out is relatively easy as well thanks to a one touch button with a motor to tilt and shift the middle row forward. At 4.8 metres long there is a mound of space with all back seats levelled, sleep there if you like, or take advantage of huge boot space as a five seater.

An area where Sorento steals a march on Chinese rivals is ride comfort and driving enjoyment. With self levelling rear suspension, it absorbs everything our rubbish roads throw up while all wheel drive offers up sure footed handling. Remember this is family transport not a rally car but is still surprisingly steady through twisting roads considering its bulk.

If there is a drawback it is the miserly 34 miles of electric range. Kia has opted for a 13.8kW battery while rivals go bigger and therefore achieve more miles on electric, 63 for the MG S9 and 91 for Tiggo 9, but the extra battery weight carries a penalty making Sorento a better car to drive.

For a big all wheel drive the Sorento’s 1.6 litre engine packs a punch and outguns the MG on horsepower. Once down to petrol power only expect low forties to the gallon, I averaged 44mpg over 500 miles and shaded 50mpg on a couple of motorway runs which goes to show how petrol efficiency has soared in the last decade. Diesel is very much a thing of the past although Kia still offers it.

In all but price Sorento matches or betters its Chinese rivals particularly on driver safety aids, comfort, layout and, for the moment reputation and reliability,

My choice is Evolve, in the middle of the range, because it has everything you need.

Fast facts

Sorento Evolve PHEV AWD

£52,655 (starts £48,425)

1.6 litre 6sp auto, 283bhp

0-62mph 8secs; 128mph

Battery 13.8kW

72.4mpg with electric boost

35g/km. 1st VED £115

Boot: 809-1988 litres

Insurance group 36

Towing: 1700kg

Working Denbighshire sessions at Llangollen Library

 

Police appeal over missing teen last seen in Llangollen

North Wales Police say they have growing concerns for 15-year-old Kohan who last seen in the Llangollen town centre area at 10am yesterday (Friday).

He is described as 5'11", with short brown curly hair and a slender build.

Police say: "He is wearing a black new balance hoodie, black joggers, a beanie hat and trainers. He is believed to currently be in the Llangollen area.

"However, he has links to Corwen and could also head to Wrexham."

* Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to get in touch with officers on 101, or via the website, quoting reference 0154640.

Can you help Llangollen Round put new QR codes on trial?

* One of the new QR codes in place around the Llangollen Round course.

The famous Llangollen Round is looking for volunteers to help it put a new QR Challenge to the test.

The often gruelling 35-mile run/walk through the beautiful yet tough terrain of the hills surrounding the town was launched in 2012 by members of the Llangollen Ramblers group and is based roughly on the Alpine Walk Tour of Mont Blanc. And over the years it has raised many thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK.

A spokesperson for the organising team said: "We now have a QR Code Challenge, which means you can navigate around the 35 miles using our strategically placed QR Codes and get yourself a time and a certificate at the end. 

"Although completely in place, we don't want to advertise it widely until it has been beta tested. So we are looking for volunteers.

"If you can help, please email sjerman@gmail.com.  Steve will facilitate your entry. You won't be charged for entry at the moment but once advertised, all monies raised will go to Cancer  Research UK,  so you will be helping a very good cause." 

Owner gives date for Star Inn's re-opening after facelift

 

The man behind the massive facelift of Llangollen's Star Inn has now given November as the date for its grand re-opening.

The historic pub on Queen Street  had been closed and derelict for some time until it was bought last year by former Ysgol Dinas Bran pupil David Anderson (pictured above) whose company is carrying out a major renovation to turn it back into a community pub - or hub - with the emphasis, he says, on making it a place where people feel safe and comfortable. 

He has been giving regular updates on the work's progress and in his latest video post on the pub's own Facebook page he reveals that Saturday November 7 has been chosen for the grand re-opening, with a sift opening having taken place the day before.

In the post, which sees him interviewed by a colleague, Dave describes how the last couple of weeks have seen a lot of work taking place in areas such as the pool room and toilets, with lots of effort going into setting up the bar, which he calls "mission control".

In that area he points to an overhead glass rack he says was acquired from an antique shop in keeping with the heritage theme he has been aiming to create for the whole project.

Walking outside he tales a look around the hive of activity which is currently the garden area at the side of the pub, where he points to the high-efficiency drainage system going in along with some sophisticated lighting.

Dave says that over the next few weeks other jobs such as plastering the upstairs guest rooms, the downstairs vinyl flooring and carpeting will be tackled.

And he apologises in advance for any inconvenience caused by a temporary three-way traffic system which he says will have to be introduced soon on the A5 outside the front door while repairs are carried out to the roof.   

Festive afternoon teas to be served up at railway

* The Tickles celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with the afternoon tea on the railway.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway is giving passengers the chance to keep the Christmas magic going right into the New Year, with Festive Afternoon Tea aboard its popular Mince Pie Specials between December 27 and Saturday, January 2.

The special experience combines a winter heritage railway journey through the beautiful Dee Valley with a specially created Festive Afternoon Tea, served directly to passengers at their own table aboard one of the railway’s heritage coaches.

The specially created menu includes homemade cranberry and white chocolate scones with jam and clotted cream, a mince pie, chocolate Yule Log cake and a choice of bread and butter pudding or apple strudel.

Passengers will also enjoy a selection of turkey and cranberry, beef and horseradish, and egg mayonnaise sandwiches.

And because Christmas isn’t quite over yet, every afternoon tea also comes with a bowl of pigs in blankets.

Unlimited tea or coffee is included and served to passengers at their table during their Mince Pie Special journey.

Those looking to add a little extra festive sparkle can also add a glass of Prosecco for £10 when booking.

Jordan Edge, Catering Manager at Llangollen and Corwen Railway, said: “We’ve had a huge amount of demand from passengers asking us to offer something like this over the festive period, so we’re really excited to bring our Festive Afternoon Tea to the Mince Pie Specials.

“Those days between Christmas and New Year are a really special time to get together with family and friends, and what better way to spend them than travelling through the Dee Valley aboard a heritage train while enjoying a proper festive treat?

“We’ve put together a menu packed with Christmas favourites, from cranberry and white chocolate scones and Yule Log to turkey and cranberry sandwiches and, of course, pigs in blankets.

“There is so much happening at the Railway throughout the festive season. We want Llangollen & Corwen Railway to be the place where families come to make Christmas memories, whether that’s meeting Santa before Christmas or joining us for Afternoon Tea and a trip through the Dee Valley afterwards." 

Before the big day itself, the railway’s popular Santa Specials will once again transport families through the Dee Valley for a magical journey to Lapland, with Santa Claus travelling through the train and a special gift for every child.

The Santa Specials operate from November 28 through to Christmas Eve, with festively decorated heritage carriages, mince pies and mulled wine helping to create the Christmas atmosphere.

* Find out more and book Santa Specials:
https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/santa-special/

The Railway will also welcome back Siôn Corn Arbennig, its special Welsh-language Christmas experience. Travelling from Corwen to Lapland at Carrog, the service gives families the chance to enjoy Christmas through the Welsh language, with Siôn Corn travelling aboard and welcoming youngsters to his grotto.

* Find out more about Siôn Corn Arbennig:
https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/sion-corn-arbennig/

And when Santa has returned to the North Pole and Christmas Day is over, the Railway’s Mince Pie Specials and new Festive Afternoon Teas will keep the celebrations rolling through the beautiful Dee Valley and into January.

Festive Afternoon Tea advance ticket prices

Adult, aged 16 and over: £55
Child, aged 3 to 15: £20
Infants, aged 2 and under: Free of charge
Dogs: £3

* Book Festive Afternoon Tea aboard the Mince Pie Specials:

https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/special-events-in-2026/festive-afternoon-tea-ser