In todays global motoring market, discerning customers, more and more, are demanding vehicles for all seasons, all climes and all condition writes Syd Taylor.

From the sunny bliss of the Mediterranean coast to the chilly harshness of the Siberian Tundra, canny manufacturers have cottoned on to the way forward – and that is to offer increased versatility without sacrificing fundamental principles.

So it is that with Kia’s imposing and yet seductive Sorento, customers are blessed with comfort, style, good economy and a dash of brio in a vehicle that combines the DNA of the off-roader with the sophisticated utility of a town and motorway cruiser.

When it comes to the four wheel drive market, many macho vehicles are decidely dodgy on the environmental front and little is guaranteed to enrage the environmentalist as much as the prospect of Mr.and Mrs.Suburbia pulverising our green and pleasant land to a pulp in their ‘rufty tufty’ 4×4 with its mud-splattering power. Oh dear.

Sensitivity to matters of green concern are not on the agenda where many off-roaders are concerned and those that make like they are from McAlpines aren’t viewed in an awfully favourable light by the green lobby.

Gung-ho off-roaders driven by brash uncaring capitalists quite simply court ill-feeling, because the environmental issue is of increasing importance to the residents of Acacia avenue.

So which manufacturer gets things right? Well Kia do with the new Sorento which now focuses more on family use rather the traditional country lifestyle.

The result is a five or seven seater with urban sophistication, top levels of quality and equipment and MPV-like space and versatility.

Kia themselves make no apology for it not being quite as rough ‘n’ tough as before.You can even have a Sorento with two wheel drive only.

Quite why escapes me because a vehicle of this size and dynamic can only benefit from 4WD in safety terms. (To my mind if you look as if you can go off road, then you should be capable of doing so).

New diesel and petrol engines, new six speed transmissions and the choice of front or four-wheel drive mean there is a Sorento to suit all types of use.

With prices starting at £20,495 rising to £29,795, there are seven models powered by the new 2.2 diesel and one 2.4 five seat, front wheel drive petrol model.

There are four trim options, each offering a generous specification including a top level sound system and everything to make travelling a luxury experience.

It is, of course, established that few people in Britain need the ability to cross Siberia or the Sahara.

What most want is the visibility and security that comes from a high stance, an ability to keep going through modest floods, snow or a rutted car park and the feel-good factor offered by having a high status vehicle that shouts ‘interesting lifestyle’ from the driveway.

That’s just where the new Sorento fits: perfectly.

Performance

It’s difficult to find a box that this vehicle – with its unrivalled seven year,100 thousand mile warranty – doesn’t tick.

It has presence, comfort, performance, economy, good smooth ride characteristics on normal roads allied to an off-road capability that is only slightly compromised now that the Sorento has a monocoque chassis instead of its former ladder frame arrangement.

Comfort has not been sacrificed to utility, but utility is available in bucket loads as and when required.

Safety too has been enhanced and airbags abound as well as Electronic Stability Control and other electronic salvation devices. It has a full five star Euro NCAP rating.

Under way, the diesel Sorento tested was lively, smooth and good handling. A top speed of near 120 mph, plus all the torque you’re likely to need – and economy of nearly 43mpg overall – makes this Sorento something of a bargain.

For the school run the Sorento offers high visibility, peerless safety and a solid sense of security. For the motorway journey one is never intimidated by other less considerate road users because the Kias dignified, stylish presence is not one to suffer fools gladly.

Performance is there when needed and even the most tedious journey can be transformed by the prescient alchemy of clever design.

Kia need no lessons from Mr. Punch in knowing ‘That’s the way to do it’. And the range is priced so competitively that you don’t need to be beaten over the head with a stick to see that this car represents super value for money.

And while it might not be an Italian job, you can take me back to this Sorento anytime. For the amateur crooner, this 4×4 cruiser gives you an interior so well insulated from the nastiness of the modern world that in the event of being stuck in a traffic jam, it will double as a practice room for a rendition of your best ‘Volare’.