Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi vs 2.5 MPI: Which Version Should You Choose?

The Kia Sorento has no shortage of demand. Word spreads fast about stock availability, and buyers are lining up in semi-annual queues — sometimes without even knowing the final price. It’s easy to see why: the ratio of equipment to cost is simply too attractive to pass up.

Diesel or Gasoline: The Core Dilemma

Choosing the right Kia Sorento powertrain is not straightforward. Here’s the crux of the issue:

• The 2.2 CRDi turbodiesel is paired exclusively with a dual-clutch automated robotized gearbox — a transmission surrounded by skepticism and a still-unknown long-term reliability record. Its sales have already been suspended multiple times due to software issues.
• The 2.5 MPI naturally aspirated gasoline engine comes with a traditional 6-speed automatic — a proven, predictable unit, though the engine itself has a long-standing reputation for higher oil consumption.

Trim Levels and What You Actually Get

The diesel engine is more popular — and more expensive — available only in the two top-tier trim levels: Premium and Premium+. These are the only trims that offer:

• Electronic parking brake with Hold function
• Head-up projection display (Premium+ only)
• Adaptive cruise control (Premium+ only)
• 12-inch digital instrument cluster instead of analog dials
• Remote self-parking system

Buyers of any gasoline version must settle for an old-fashioned foot-operated parking brake. The rotary shifter — arguably more elegant and space-saving — is also exclusive to the diesel Premium+, while even the diesel Premium retains a traditional gear selector.

Known Problems with the Diesel Sorento

Before choosing the 2.2 CRDi, buyers should be aware of two recurring issues:

• Ride comfort: The diesel is only available with large-diameter wheels (19–20 inches). The test car ran on 255/40 R20 Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV tires. The suspension already handles small and medium road imperfections with noticeable firmness — wide, low-profile tires amplify vibration and cabin noise. Even at the prescribed 2.4 atm tire pressure (which drops further in cold weather), harshness is evident.
• Dual-clutch behavior in traffic: The robotized gearbox tends to disengage the clutch at any slight lift off the throttle at low speeds. When you reapply the gas, there’s a delay before drive is re-engaged — sometimes a full second without torque — followed by an abrupt jerk. Software updates have been released to address this (most recently noted in April of last year), and improvements are ongoing.

On the Road: Diesel Performance

In normal traffic flow and highway driving, the dual-clutch gearbox finds its rhythm and the diesel engine’s strengths become apparent. The silver CRDi Sorento feels noticeably more effortless to drive than its gasoline counterpart — pulling cleanly at speed without strain. For daily urban commuting, the diesel is the more comfortable choice.

However, it has its weaknesses during spirited driving:

• The Sorento exhibits inertia under hard acceleration — not ideal for quick responses
• After lifting off the throttle, the engine continues revving briefly before settling, making it harder to use engine braking for trajectory adjustment
• Off-road, the dual-clutch is more hesitant than a conventional automatic, leaving the Sorento struggling in mild cross-axle situations
• The Sport mode — which proactively locks the clutch — is the best off-road option, but it causes noticeable understeer on icy surfaces
• Idle vibration is significantly higher in the diesel compared to the peaceful, quiet gasoline variant

Fuel Consumption: Real-World Numbers

Based on actual fuel receipts during the test, real-world consumption figures were:

• Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi (diesel): 9.5 liters per 100 km average
• Kia Sorento 2.5 MPI (gasoline): 13.2 liters per 100 km average

The diesel advantage in fuel economy is real and significant — but so is the price premium.

The Case for the Gasoline Sorento

Despite the diesel’s appeal, the gasoline Sorento 2.5 MPI has several genuine advantages:

• More predictable throttle response in all driving situations
• A conventional automatic gearbox that behaves reliably in difficult conditions like off-road or tight parking
• No significant difference in steering feel or feedback compared to the diesel — both use electric power assistance
• Noticeably warmer cabin during short winter trips — diesel engines take longer to heat up
• Lower purchase price, with smaller wheels (17-inch on base, 18-inch on Luxe/Prestige) that ride more comfortably
• No need to budget for an aftermarket pre-heater, which many diesel Sorento owners end up installing despite a factory electric heater already being included

Advanced Driver Assistance: What’s Exclusive to Diesel

The diesel Premium+ stands apart thanks to a more advanced front radar, which enables the full DriveWise assistance suite:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Remote self-parking (operates from the key fob, even on uneven surfaces)
• Cyclist detection and protection

These systems are entirely absent from the gasoline lineup. The diesel Premium (without the Plus) drops adaptive cruise and remote parking, but still includes the 12-inch digital cluster. Despite this, the diesel Premium — not the Premium+ — is actually the most in-demand diesel trim among buyers.

What Do Real Buyers Actually Choose?

Sales data from the first quarter of 2021 reveals some interesting trends:

• Diesel versions accounted for approximately 47% of all Sorento sales
• Among diesel buyers, the Premium trim is the most popular choice
• Among gasoline buyers, the most popular model is not the Prestige, but the five-seat Luxe

Which Kia Sorento Version Offers the Best Value?

The Luxe 2.5 gasoline is likely the most balanced option in the lineup — even without having tested it directly. Here’s why it makes sense for most buyers:

• The 2.5 naturally aspirated engine is not so underpowered or fuel-hungry as to justify spending over half a million rubles more for the nearest diesel equivalent
• Kia dealers already charge a significant premium — adding a diesel surcharge on top makes the math harder to justify
• The Luxe does without ventilated front seats, electrical passenger seat adjustment, sound-absorbing front glass, and the Bose audio system — but these are luxuries, not necessities
• The smaller multimedia screen and simpler headlights are minor trade-offs for a substantially lower price

Looking ahead, the anticipated arrival of a gasoline V6 3.5-liter engine in the Sorento lineup is unlikely to disrupt the Luxe 2.5’s dominant position — but it would finally give the diesel an alternative at the top of the range.

This is a translation. You can read the original here: https://www.drive.ru/test-drive/kia/605372cb175e9e50eca9cc43.html