Motor Torque with David Berthon Radio 2GB

Driving the facelifted the 2.2-litre turbo diesel Kia Sorrento GT-line all-wheel-driveSUV today – the best-selling variant – at $72,690 drive-away able to travel nearly1000km on a full tank and I averaged 7.1 L/100 with mainly around town driving.The Sorento a seven-seater but like most large SUV’s best as a five-seater withabove average luggage space. Access to the third row in seven seaters alwaysdifficult and the Sorento is no exception. The 2.2-litre turbo diesel has averagepower and torque and drives through an 8-speed dual clutch automatic withmanual shift paddles – importantly. it doesn’t sound like a trusty diesel but issmooth, quiet and refined. The Sorrento GT-line’s high point is suspension tune –Kia Australia always does its homework with local ride and handling tune and it’sjust so polished whether fully laden with luggage or just with a driver. Thesteering now also further refined, the drive experience overall simply first class.Towing somewhat limited however at a max 2000 kilos braked. It has all the latestdriving assist modes and safety elements apart from the curtain airbags notextending to the third-row seats. It gets a full-size spare wheel while servicingcosts over three years $1308, over five years $2427. I’m David Berthon
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In January Kia upgraded its seven-passenger Sorento SUV with enhanced stylinginside and out, and with more comfort and convenience equipment and safety, Inaddition to petrol and diesel models a petrol/electric hybrid has now been added,each power source available in front or all-wheel drive. I drove the 2.2-litre turbodiesel eight-speed automatic Sorento GT-line all-wheel drive at $72,690 driveaway– the most popular model and with nearly a 1000km range this is a big SUV for abig country. The petrol versions simply too thirsty. The new chiseled styling is inthe mould of Kia’s all electric EV9 and new EV5 and along with new 20-inch alloywheels the Sorento GT-line has real visual appeal. The interior has alwaysappealed especially with the new curved dual 12.3-inch display screens featuringlarge menu icons and with Kia’s latest infotainment system now able to offerwireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Disappointingly, the interior of the GT-line is only available in a dark grey/charcoal interior which limits its appeal. Seatcomfort on the other hand with a power drivers and passenger seat first class,the trim plush Nappa leather. Kia quality overall impressive while the support of a7-year/unlimited kilometre warranty very re-assuring. I’m David Berthon
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Sydney City Council proudly tells us that bike share schemes have a key role toplay in our future transportation, healthier lifestyle choice and thedecarbonization of Sydney – around 4700 trips are taken daily on share bikes inthe City of Sydney area, saving around 1326 tonnes of carbon emissions eachyear. Really – in short, they’ve turned the inner city into an untidy environment –spread across pathways in large groups, making pedestrian movementdangerous. Pitt Street is a case in point, bikes scattered usually on their side Isuspect from unhappy pedestrians, many without helmets. Council tell us theydon’t manage bike sharing and you should report bikes damaged and parked in adangerous place directly with operators. It’s a cop out, it seems nobody ismonitoring bike parking and the Council needs to do more to police their use. I’mDavid Berthon
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I use the new Westconnex M8 tunnel on a regular basis, with a new 90km/hourlimit a great piece of road infrastructure, expensive yes but a real time saver.Surprising news this week – a new speed camera installed in May in the M8tunnel at Newtown heading southbound has generated more than $1.3 milliondollars in fines in its first month of operation from 1622 infringements. It appearsmost of the drivers caught speeding were using business-registered vehicles –camera detected fines issued to companies can be five times the amount paid byan individual, the company required to nominate the driver responsible within aspecified time – if they nominate the driver the fine reduces to the applicableindividual amount. With the tunnel speed indicated at 200 metre intervals itsstaggering that so many drivers throw caution to the wind. I’m David Berthon
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Driving Mitsubishi’s evergreen small SUV today – the long-standing ASX, not thelatest and best described as an oldie but a goodie, very well priced but bestspecified and best value in the second tier ES grade backed up by an industryleading 10-year/200,000km warranty as long as its serviced by a Mitsubishidealer. But how does it drive – the ASX ES grade at just under $30,000 drive-awaypowered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder driving the front wheels through a CVTautomatic. Step into the cabin and it feels a little dated, very comfortable andpractical with great seats but there’s no smart key or wireless phone charger, butthankfully, it has dials for the climate control air-con, radio tuning and volume asdistinct to the frustrating and distractive menus on a touch screen. The driveexperience also shows its age – the engine no fire breather and the CVT lets offan unusual sound under load, the noise vibration and harshness levels such thatit feels a little unrefined when pushed hard. No problems with economy however,8.0L/100 on 91 grade petrol while it exhibits good steering feel and a pleasantride. But the overriding feature of the Mitsubishi ASX is the value story and itsimpressive. I’m David Berthon
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Talking about Mitsubishi’s small ASX SUV today – the ASX has been around for along time – first surfacing in 2010 but updated visually three times since. Sharplypriced it remains our fourth best-selling small SUV, strongly recognised for itsvalue story and a 10-year warranty. A roomy small SUV in seven front wheeldrive grades from $24,490 plus on-road costs for the entry manual GS – I drovethe next grade up, the ES automatic, the best seller and frankly the one to own at$27,990. A 2.0-litre four-cylinder driving through a CVT or continuously variableautomatic. This year the ES gained lane departure warning for the first time, but itlacks rear cross traffic alert and autonomous emergency braking. Featuresinclude a rear-view camera, climate control aircon, rear parking sensors, rainsensing wipers and air-con ducts to the rear seats. The Mitsubishi ASX EScompetes in a super competitive small SUV segment – not the latest design butthis trusty small SUV with great interior room has been kept competitive withsmall tweaks along the way. For a small family in today’s cost-conscious world, ithas one outstanding feature – an industry leading 10-year/200,000 km warranty ifyou keep it serviced by a Mitsubishi dealer. Drive details next segment. I’m DavidBerthon
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