An escape from city life is always a treat, and to hit the road in a luxury SUV to explore the southern tip of Africa, staying in upmarket lodges and hotels, feels almost unreal. We’ve worked out a packed itinerary with Cape Country Routes who market a countrywide selection of stayovers and activities, and our ride for this four-day excursion is Kia’s recently launched flagship SUV, the Sorento SXL, which has every comfort amenity one could be wishing for.
I’m a 100% camping and 4x4 enthusiast for my escapes, so this is way out of my comfort zone, but I had no trouble persuading the Prof (as my partner is affectionately known) to come along for the ride. All it took was a few key words: cold-water swimming, four-star accommodation and a car with aircon.
It’s perfect late summer weather, warm and windless, when we hit the N2 mid-morning early on a Friday, beating the crowds to Peregrine Farm Stall for the essential coffee and venison pie. The Sorento has been an absolute treat. It’s a big car that carries its heft well, and the newly fettled 2.2-litre CRDi diesel punches far above its cubic capacity. Its paired with a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, and the shifts are almost imperceptible, even when kicking down a few cogs to get ahead. It’s very relaxing to be inside this magically insulated capsule, wafting up Sir Lowry’s Pass with no fuss and little roll, and I have to reign things in to stay within the speed limit.
We flash past the turn-off to Hermanus, and turn right at Caledon onto the R316, a great stretch of road that dips, twists and turns through the famous Overberg wheat fields, taking one through Napier and into the agricultural hub of Bredasdorp. I can’t believe the fuel consumption. Admittedly I’m cruising along, but the digital readout stays between 7.2 and 7.4 litres/100km. Remarkable for a hefty seven-seater with four-wheel drive.
The finishes on this Kia are perhaps a little blingy with all that chrome, piano black and diamond-textured plastic surfaces, but there are great touches that make this an ideal family wagon. Like the always-there head-up display, a blind spot view that pops up in the driver’s TFT-type instrument panel when you indicate left and right, and the panoramic sunroof that lets in acres of light and lifts upward to give extra ventilation – a premium touch. The high-set heated and vented leather seats keep you warm and cooled, plus they have easy auto-adjustment (and driver’s seat memory settings), so any body type can get comfy. Phone pairing is easy, and
