#02#They say that time flies when you're having fun. It doesn't seem like almost four years ago when I was sent on my first assignment for The Car Enthusiast, a trip up to Scotland for the launch of the then-new Kia Sorento. But almost four years it has been, and in Kia's eyes, it's time to facelift the Sorento. For us, this time it's a full review.

The Sorento has been a big success for Kia; it was the first vehicle in the range that made the jump from "it's a cheap good value car" to "it's a good car in its own right." The market has recognised this; the Sorento has consistently been a top-six seller in its sector, has won countless "Tow Car of the Year" awards and has topped the 4x4 section of the JD Power survey for the past two years. Rather than rest on its laurels, Kia has taken the opportunity to revamp the Sorento to make sure it stays at the front.

Externally the changes are subtle; new projector headlights, new tail lights and new bumpers and mouldings bring the Sorento right back up to date and give it a fresher look without changing the basic shape - why fix what isn't broke? Inside, the trim is smarter, more expensive looking and the equipment level is up. All this, and the price remains the same as the outgoing model, the range starting from just £19,995.

The new Kia Sorento comes in three trim grades (XE, XS, and XT) and with a choice of petrol (3.3-litre V6) or diesel (2.5-litre turbo) engines. Our test vehicle was a middle of the range 2.5 CRDi XS with five-speed manual gearbox. The 2007 Sorento diesel engine has an electrically actuated, variable geometry turbocharger - this has upped the power over the old model by 21% to 168bhp and torque increases even more, by 25% to 289lb.ft. The 3.3-litre V6 develops 48bhp more than the outgoing 3.5-litre V6 engine if petrol is your preferred fuel choice. [Ed: Looks like the petrol version is not being offered for sale at the time of writing] #p##01# Thinking back those four years, it was easy to make comparisons. The relatively minor changes are a success; the Sorento was always an attractive 4x4, but now it's even better looking, and our XS model came with body coloured cladding rather than the dark grey contrasting cladding of the old model, which is much more expensive looking. Same story inside; there was never much wrong with the old Sorento's interior, but the new model is just that little bit nicer, more stylish and more up to date. And it's still simply massive inside, with space for five people (lots of space) and even more room for their luggage. The rear cargo area is simply cavernous - 0.9 cubic metres with the rear seats in place, and more than double that with the seats folded. You really could move house with one of these.

The XS model has the same switchable 2/4-wheel drive as before and for most of our test this was left in 2wd, which was more than capable across flat muddy fields, and all the better on the road. With a combined fuel economy figure of 35.8mpg (we managed somewhere in the low-mid 30s), and an enormous 80-litre fuel tank, the Sorento also goes an awful long way between fuel stops. And don't forget those towing awards; it can tow 3000kg (the automatic model is even better with a towing capacity of 3500kg).

One disappointment was the ride quality. Up in Scotland I'd either been hooning the Sorento of old across fast B-roads and revelling in the handling, or cruising down flat motorways. But down south, on a mixture of more normal roads, the ride didn't feel as good as I had remembered, a little too fidgety for my liking. At least the handling was as I remembered it; the Sorento clings on around roundabouts in a way something so tall and heavy has no right too, and then settles into gentle understeer, subtly pointing out to the driver that enough is enough. #p##04# The more powerful diesel engine made making good progress effortless, the Sorento could build up quite a turn of speed without the driver or (more impressively) the occupants realising. At any engine speed much above idle, the torque is enough to haul two tonnes of 4x4, although when towing I'd imagine a few more revs would be necessary.

All in all, the Sorento seems to be going from strength to strength. Kia has avoided making changes for change's sake; the upgrade have been just what is needed to make up for four years of progress and builds on the original Sorento strengths rather than risk losing them.

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2007 Kia Sorento UK range overview

- Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi XE: £19,995
- Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi XE Auto: £21,095
- Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi XS: £22,995
- Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi XS Auto: £24,095
- Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi XT : £24,995
- Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi XT Auto : £26,095