Kia shows off new Sorento

KIA Motors Corporation (KMC) has released its first official images of the next-generation Sorento seven-seat large SUV ahead of its global debut at the Geneva motor show next month.

Almost every panel looks to have been given a makeover with the entire body style now far more angular and chiselled, in keeping with Kia’s evolving design language.

According to the brand, designers looked to the concept of ‘refined boldness’ when penning the new Sorento, arguably headlined by the latest evolution of the hallmark ‘tiger grille’ which is complimented on either side by new ‘tiger-eye’ daytime running lights within the headlamps.

The new flagship SUV also boasts a longer wheelbase helping to give the impression that it has grown in overall length while simultaneously shortening the front and rear overhangs which combine with the further set back A-pillar help to create a more purposeful, cab-back silhouette.

A new, sculpted parabolic line runs from the top corner of each headlamp along the side of the car to the top corner of the respective tail-lights, themselves arranged in a new vertical side-by-side design.

Above them is an angled and thickening D-pillar, helping to give the Sorento the sort of window-line usually associated with a coupe-style SUV like the BMW X6 or Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.

Chunky angles are again employed at the back while the base of the tailgate is adorned with new block-capital Sorento badging.

Below that is a new rear bumper featuring dual rectangular exhausts and a subtle rear diffuser.

The interior has been treated to an equally impressive makeover, bearing a slight resemblance to that of the Genesis GV80 premium SUV.

According to executives, the new Sorento’s interior is “one of the highest quality interior spaces found in any Kia to-date”, being intuitive, tech-orientated and spacious.

Infotainment settings are navigated through a new 10.25-inch touchscreen system while the instrument cluster is now displayed on a 12.3-inch high-resolution display

Leather upholstery has been blended with and contrasted against metallic and wood effect trim pieces, including a polished aluminium-looking dial gear-selector – not dissimilar to the one on the Genesis GV80.

Set to make its global debut next month at the Geneva motor show, the new Sorento will initially be offered Down Under only with the 147kW/441Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine driving all four wheels before the front-wheel-drive, 206kW/335Nm 3.5-litre petrol V6 variant lobs later in the year.

Kia has sold 257 Sorentos so far this year ending January, down more than 30 per cent on the same time last year.