Verdict
The Kia Sorento UM is the rational used-buy proposition: RM60,980 less buys a 197 hp, 441 Nm 2.2-litre diesel with all-wheel drive, a 320-litre boot and a quoted 7.8 L/100 km. Its RM599 annual road tax also undercuts the MQ4’s RM838. The Kia Sorento MQ4 costs RM211,498, but brings a longer 2,815 mm wheelbase, far stronger active safety, 18-inch wheels and much better cabin tech. Choose the UM for torque and carrying capacity; pay for the MQ4 if driver assistance and family-facing equipment matter more than outright shove.
Pick the Kia Sorento UM if you want RM60,980 in savings, 441 Nm of diesel torque, all-wheel drive and the larger 320-litre boot.
Pick the Kia Sorento MQ4 if you want autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, a 10.25-inch screen and more comprehensive rear-seat ventilation.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Sorento UM RM150,518; Kia Sorento MQ4 RM211,498.
- Power and torque: Kia Sorento UM 197 hp and 441 Nm; Kia Sorento MQ4 177 hp and 232 Nm.
- Driveline: Kia Sorento UM all-wheel drive; Kia Sorento MQ4 front-wheel drive.
- Dimensions and boot: Kia Sorento UM is 4,780 mm long with a 2,780 mm wheelbase and 320 litres; Kia Sorento MQ4 is 4,810 mm long with a 2,815 mm wheelbase and…
- Wheels: Kia Sorento UM gets 17-inch alloys with 235/65R17 tyres; Kia Sorento MQ4 gets 18-inch alloys with 235/60R18 tyres.
- Safety assistance: Kia Sorento UM has no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist; Kia Sorento MQ4 has autonomous braking and steering-correction lane-keeping…
UM
- RM60,980 lower price and RM599 annual road tax.
- 197 hp, 441 Nm diesel and all-wheel drive.
- 320-litre boot and quoted 7.8 L/100 km economy.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning, blind-spot system or lane-keeping assist.
- 3.8-inch radio/CD unit lacks Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth.
- Manual front-seat adjustment and rear vents only.
MQ4
- Autonomous braking, adaptive cruise with Stop & Go and blind-spot collision-avoidance assist.
- 10.25-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and six speakers.
- Third-row vents with blower control, USB ports for all three rows and a powered hands-free boot.
- RM60,980 higher purchase price and RM838 annual road tax.
- 177 hp and 232 Nm trail the UM’s 197 hp and 441 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive and a 187-litre boot, versus the UM’s all-wheel drive and 320 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM150,518✓ | RM211,498 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM599✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC commonrail turbodiesel with variable geometry turbo | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,199 cc | 2,497 cc |
| Horsepower | 197 hp✓ | 177 hp |
| Torque | 441 Nm✓ | 232 Nm |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Bore | 85.4 mm | 88.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 16 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed Automatic | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Kia |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 7.8 L/100 km | — |
| Co2 | 205 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,780 mm | 4,810 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,685 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,780 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Weight | 2,036 kg | 1,719 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 71 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 320 litres✓ | 187 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R17 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R17 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Nexen Nfera RU1 | Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats in middle row | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats in Second and Third Row |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Projector with Automatic High Beam |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-Folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding Second Row, 50:50 Split-folding Third Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Second Row Vents, Third Row Vents with Blower Control |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 1 Middle Row | 1 Front, 1 Second Row, 1 Boot, 3 Front USB, 1 Second Row USB, 2 Third Row USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Audio | 3.8" Radio, CD, MP3 player with 6 Speakers | 10.25" Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
UM vs MQ4 FAQ
Is the Kia Sorento UM or Kia Sorento MQ4 better?
The Kia Sorento MQ4 is better equipped for safety and family use, with autonomous braking, adaptive cruise, a 10.25-inch touchscreen and third-row blower control. The Kia Sorento UM is the better choice for lower cost, diesel torque, all-wheel drive and boot capacity.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Sorento MQ4 costs RM211,498, which is RM60,980 more than the Kia Sorento UM at RM150,518. Its annual road tax is also RM838 against RM599 for the UM.
Which Sorento has more luggage space?
The Kia Sorento UM has the larger boot at 320 litres. The Kia Sorento MQ4 has 187 litres, despite being 30 mm longer and having a 35 mm longer wheelbase.