New looks for Kia Sorento

FOLLOWING recent online leaks, Kia has issued official factory information and images of the forthcoming Sorento large SUV update that is due in Australian showrooms during the fourth quarter of this year.

As can be seen from the images, the revised fourth-generation Sorento sports a reimagined front look that reflects new or soon-to-be-released vehicles but retains most of the previous Sorento’s sheet metal and body hardware with some tweaks.

Kia says the new front creates a sophisticated first impression of “next-generation mobility” with advanced technology by harmoniously arranging the radiator grille with a three-dimensional pattern module and the ‘signature star map lighting’ daytime running lights.

The layered bonnet is designed to create a sense of volume that makes the body look bigger and the bold front bumper design with skid plate at the bottom is said to give a “confident” SUV image.

Vertically arranged headlights and rear combination lights are tied by their intersection with character lines on the Sorento’s flanks and a new design alloy wheel is applied to emphasize a more refined look.

The rear has a star map graphic that connects the two rear combination lights and a wide rear skid plate in the lower bumper that, like the frontal treatment, communicates a “solid SUV image”.

A similar design language is evident on Kia’s soon-to-be-released EV9, and is expected to emerge on the facelifted Carnival people mover when it is revealed later this year.

Tech upgrades are extensive as Kia moves to broaden the application of its Kia Connect system that ushers in over-the-air (OTA) update capability along with a plethora of high-tech electronic functions hitherto unavailable on the Sorento.

Sorento variants with Kia Connect score a “panoramic” curved display and 12.3-inch instrument cluster like that of the EV6, alongside that car’s next-generation infotainment/climate control switching control system plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Kia describes the revised Sorento interior as composed of a driver-oriented environment and features a fingerprint recognition system in the centre console that can be used as an authentication method when starting the engine, making a simple payment in the vehicle or releasing the valet mode.

Intent on maintaining its strong sales performance across many markets, the South Korean manufacturer says the new model “has a modern interior design based on advanced technology and an exterior that harmonizes future-oriented sophistication and a strong image based on 'Bold for Nature' among the five keywords that make up Opposite United”.

The upgraded model will continue with four carryover powertrains, comprising 200kW/332Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol with front-wheel drive, a 148kW/440Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel with all-wheel drive, a 169kW/350Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid with FWD and AWD options, as well as a flagship 195kW/350Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid with AWD.

Supply constraints have prevented availability of the latter two but that is said to have been addressed with the upgrade.

Australian-spec Sorento engines are built to comply with Euro 5 emissions standards, while other markets get updated Euro 6 units.

The New Sorento is expected to arrive with a selection of new exterior colours including Interstellar Grey, Cityscape Green, and Volcanic Sand Brown, and a choice of interior colours.

Pricing and other details should follow soon.