I still remember when the first generation of the Kia Sorento saw the light. Then the Korean firm fought for its models to have a chance alongside their European generalist "counterparts." In fact, this SUV was not born as such, but rather as a all terrain that was also suitable for driving on the road. Its weak points, those of then, were an image that was close to the Mercedes ML and a fair mechanical range...
But time has passed and his sales success has brought him to this day. It has been the Kia flagship and as such it still retains that special aura that places it almost at the top of its range. However, the current generation has been relegated to the background due to the brand's electrical innovations. EV6 y EV9. But if you want one you are in luck because The Sorento has undergone an interesting restyling. And he has won a lot...
The renewed Kia Sorento brings its physiognomy closer to that of its brother EV9…
To evolve its design, Kia managers have chosen to bring it closer to its EV9 brother. All you have to do is look at the front that looks with some Full LED daytime running lights more slanted than before that embody the new Opposites United design philosophy. To this we must add the "Bold for Nature" style that is embodied in a new hood with more marked tension lines that in the lower area give way to a renewed Tiger Nose grille from the house.
The main LED optics are no longer horizontal but cascade and embrace this grill. For its part, the daytime running light (for the US) becomes amber, although in Europe it will be white. As for the bumper, it now looks more aggressive with new expression lines and revised air intakes. As for the side, the changes are more discreet, highlighted by the new alloy wheels, plastic protections and the black roof.
At the rear, the vertical optics, inspired by Telluride, remain. Now the LED daytime lighting is updated and sports a square design with the lower area open. The door that gives access to the trunk continues as before with a simple design in which function takes precedence over form. Lastly, the bumper keeps the reversing optics and integrates a new protective molding as well as diffuser in the lower area.
Its cabin also improves, with more technology and quality…
Behind closed doors, the evolution of the new Kia Sorento is important. As soon as you enter, in the highest versions of the range, there is a great curved panoramic display made up of two dual 12,3-inch screens. One is for the instrument panel and the other is for controlling the infotainment system. In the access versions, its size becomes 4,3 inches between analogue clocks and 12,3 inches for the infotainment system.
But, in itself, The entire dashboard of the renewed Kia Sorento is new. From the ventilation outlets and their location to all the controls to manage the air conditioning or main control elements. The steering wheel and the set of controls on its horizontal arms is one of the few elements that does not change. Although it does boast new leather to cover as well as the gear lever, dashboard, doors, seats and central tunnel.
Personalization is another element that also improves. Now it will join its brothers Telluride and Sorento with the upholstery and color options Midnight Lake Blue and Darwing Red. On the other hand, the HEV and PHEV versions will also boast the Dust Blue option. As for equipment, there will be no shortage of modern Digital Key 2.0 or in security the latest evolution of Smart Cruise Control-Machine Learning and Digital Camera Mirror.
For now, its known mechanical offer is for the US although the European one will change little...
For the official presentation of the renewed Sorento, Kia managers have chosen the Los Angeles Motor Show. And he is right since a significant percentage of its sales are recorded in the US. So, for now, they have counted the mechanical range that will be on sale in this country. As expected, there is no diesel version and the accompanying engines are large displacement with high power but not stratospheric for what is seen in Europe...
Thus, the access version of the new Sorento is embodied by a block 2.5 I-4 GDI with 191 HP of power and 245 Nm of torque. For its management, the brand relies on an 8-speed automatic transmission. For the spicier version this same 2.5 liter I-4 GDI block increases its power until it reaches 281 hp and 422 Nm of torque since it includes a turbo. In this case, the transmission is also automatic but with an 8-speed dual clutch (DCT).
As for the types of traction to order, the Kia Sorento can be ordered FWD or AWD. The all-wheel drive versions have intelligent torque distribution and a central differential block for better traction with up to 50:50 on each axle. Finally, it will not be until 2024 that the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions arrive with powers that have not yet been revealed. Everything, to offer the best quality-price ratio on the market.
When will the renewed Kia Sorento arrive in Europe?
For the time being We do not know when Kia will launch the renewed Sorento in Europe. If we take the debut of this generation as a reference, we must wait about six or seven months although there is nothing official yet. In any case, it is clear that when it arrives there will be no diesel and, therefore, we will have to wait to know how the HEVs and PHEVs that they are going to sell in the US have evolved. In any case, it is assumed that their performance will be very similar and satisfactory.
Source - Kia
