Kia's new Sorento has added class

The old one, introduced in 2002, earned a solid reputation for its strength and towing ability, not to mention a fine reliability record and affordable prices.

The new one takes a different direction; deliberately turning from a semi-rural mud plugging role to become a SUV any trendy urban family might consider instead of some already upmarket names.

And the chase for people dreaming of a Volvo XC60, BMW X3 or even a new Land Rover Discovery Sport is matched by a price that puts the dearest new Sorento well into Sloane Street territory at over £40,000.

Before you say 'what? For a Kia?' you really need to stroll round the car and admire lines that would happily adorn any SUV with upmarket ideas and consider that a very decently equipped Sorento can be had for a lot less.

Prices start at £28,795 for the KX-1 version, although not many of those will be sold. Head instead to the KX-2 (£31,995) or the KX-3 driven here, costing £35,845 (or £37,595 with automatic transmission) and about as well equipped as anyone might reasonably expect, or need.

After that it gets simpler; every new Sorento is powered by an upgraded version of the old car's 2.2 diesel engine and they all have seven seats, with the two foldable perches in row

three genuinely big enough for a couple of grown ups.

The Sorento may be built in Korea but it was shaped under the direction of a European who has turned Kias from budget buys into cars that look good in any company. The newcomer carries on his good work in a car that is a bit longer and lower than before and a tiny bit wider.

Inside, the march upmarket comes across even more strongly with an attention to fit and finish easily the match of the competition and complete with all the modern must-haves, from a dash covering that looks as though it has been finely stitched at the edges to flashes of glossy piano black lacquer and air vents set in alloy mouldings.

This apparent craftsmanship is no more than skin deep (and solidly plastic, whatever it looks like) but everyone short of a Bentley plays the same game, and it works.

Technology aplenty is available on the new Sorento, from adaptive cruise control to cameras that show you a view all around the car and warn of an approaching pedestrian if you try to back out from a parking bay without a proper look round first.

Kia thinks lots of Sorentos will be sold in KX-2 form. They come with satellite navigation, heated front and outer rear seats and dual automatic air conditioning. There is little need, surely, to march upwards to the KX-3, although once there you will enjoy a bigger map for the satnav, a big glass sunroof and power adjustment for the driver's seat.

Whatever grade you choose you'll discover a car that rides indecently well for something that will switch itself instantly to all-wheel drive if the car heads off-road on to slippery surfaces and is built tall to shrug off a bumpy mountain trail.

And 39mpg showing on the concisely clear dash after runs up some steep Spanish roads in dreadful weather was a pretty decent return.

This latest Sorento also goes about its duties with a composed air, never raising its voice above a distant diesel rumble and feeling every inch a genuine competitor for a host of Europeans chasing the same comfortably off customers.

By Ian Donaldson