I drove the new Kia Sorento – it’s a whopping 7-seater which has everything you need and comes with a bargain price tag

WE’RE supposed to be best buddies with America, aren’t we?

We send them Bentleys, Adele and English tea.

3

3

3

They send us Teslas, Taylor Swift and KFC.

Yet one thing we can never seem to agree on is sizes.

Why are American shoes one size bigger than ours? US10 is a UK9. And their clothes two sizes smaller? So a US women’s size 6 is a UK size 10.

Confusing.

READ MORE ROAD TESTS

GONE TWO FAR

BMW X2 has slick tech but ugly looks mean your £50k is better spent elsewhere

TOTAL LEXURY

Inside Lexus LM VIP limo with palatial interior & fully flat reclining seats

A bit like this Kia Sorento.

In America, Sorento is a popular “mid-sized SUV”. But for us, it’s a whopping seven-seater.

Kia has another seven-seater, EV9. But that’s electric only.

Sorento is for families not ready to switch to battery power just yet and comes in three power types – diesel, petrol hybrid or plug-in hybrid.

Most read in Motors

GOING POTTY

Map lays bare Britain’s pothole hell – do you live in a road danger zone?

FEELING FROSTY

How 2p bathroom item you likely already have defrosts windscreens in seconds

NEW DRIVE

Major car brand launches direct rival to the Range Rover with ultra-luxury EV

BIG WIN

UK 'Car of the Year' revealed - including best value for money & family motor

It’s £20k cheaper than EV9. Which means it’s a bit of a bargain. Actually, this updated version is £3k LESS than the current entry-level Sorento, starting at £41,995 for the 2.2-litre diesel. Not very often that happens.

The diesel is best for towing and does 43mpg.

Big tax benefits

The self-charging petrol hybrid is just as efficient, with the interplay between electric and engine power smooth and tight. They’re like best buddies.

The plug-in hybrid will do short trips as an EV but the real advantage is the tax benefit for company car users.

Whichever you choose, all versions have the added assurance of four-wheel drive to take you from farmhouse to townhouse in any weather, and while looking good.

The refreshed cabin is spacious and easy to use with sliding and fold-down second-row seats and six USB-C charge ports dotted about the place. Everyone has somewhere to put their slurpies and smartphones. Everyone will be happy.

The standard “2” trim has curved display screens up top with satnav, wireless Apple CarPlay, reversing camera, heated seats and heated steering wheel. All you need. But also what you’d expect in a £40k car.

We like the slim touch panel which alternates between stereo and air con at the push of a button. It’s a nice piece of design, first seen in EV6 and Sportage.

Many of the interior fabrics are made from recycled plastic water bottles.

So, there you have it. The smarter, more sophisticated Sorento.

As satisfying as a cold beer on a sunny afternoon.

That reminds me. The Americans can’t do pint sizes either.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

BALANCE BOOST

How to get an extra £1077 from your Tesco Clubcard in time for Christmas

STAR IN TEARS

Joel Dommett breaks down in tears ahead of I’m A Celeb Unpacked