Kia has released details regarding its updated Kia Sorento. To start off with, the nose section now has been refreshed to look even more familiar to the Kia family design. This includes the signature “Tiger nose” grille, which can now be found on several Kia products starting with the entry-level Kia Picanto. But with the new Sorento Kia has clearly given the lower part of the bumper more emphasis than the outgoing model.
This SUV’s interior has also received similar updates to place it in line with the rest of the range. Apart from an updated interior design, several features and technologies have been added. Starting the radio/CD/aux-in and USB audio system, a multifunction steering wheel and voice-activation controls for cell phones will be offered. As before the Sorento will offer seat configurations for both 5 and 7 passengers.
Safety features will include ABS brakes with EBD, ESC (electronic stability control), HAC (hill start assist control) and for the explorer who wishes to take their Sorento off-road DBC (downhill brake control).
The news of the updated Kia first became available in the USA, so the shiny alloys you see in the pictures are unlikely to form part of the accessory list in local showrooms.
Kia Motors South Africa was unavailable at the time of writing, but we expect the new Sorento in South Africa around the third quarter of this year. Expect more details regarding the local line-up and trim levels closer to that time.
In the USA customers will have access to a 2,4-litre four-cylinder and a 3,5-litre V6 petrol engine. In South Africa Kia could possibly continue with the 2,2-litre petrol engine or swap it for the 2,4-litre petrol unit. We won’t rule out the addition of the turbodiesel engine either.
