Kia details New Zealand-spec Sorento SUV

Tuesday, 15 September 2020

Kia has revealed its new-look for the Sorento SUV, inspired by the small Seltos that has just arrived in New Zealand.

Four grades of specification, all with an upgraded diesel engine, new transmission and pricing from $59,990, is the launch recipe for the fourth generation Kia Sorento which went on sale in New Zealand yesterday.

Kia’s largest SUV to sell in New Zealand gains new styling, a significant upgrade in technology, a raised towing capacity and an enhanced level of luxury for the flagship Premium model.

The exterior styling blends cues from Kia’s recent Seltos compact SUV with the larger Telluride model sold in North America.

The trademark “tiger nose” grille is joined by new “tiger eye” LED daytime running lights.

Kia’s trademark “tiger nose’’ grille is wider and now wraps around the integrated headlamps on each side. The headlamps themselves feature a new “tiger eye’’ LED daytime running light which Kia says add extra focus to the design by depicting the “intense impression” of the lines around a tiger’s eyes.

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Kia hasn't forgotten about the rear, giving it some nice new vertical taillights.

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Two digital displays sit in the cabin, the larger 12.3-inch unit sitting behind the steering wheel while a slightly smaller 10.25-inch controls all infotainment and navigation systems.

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All Sorento models use the 2.2-litre diesel engine, now developing 148kW and 440Nm.

The new Sorento has sharper lines and more swept-back cabin proportions while overall dimensions have grown by only 10mm in length and width. However, the wheelbase is extended by 35mm, creating greater legroom and shoulder room for second- and third-row passengers, as well as providing 32 per cent more cargo space with all three rows of seats in place.

Pricing begins at $59,990 for the LX model and every version of the new Sorento comes with seven-seater configuration, the diesel engine and active all-wheel-drive system.

The second-tier EX model is $63,990 while the step to the new Deluxe grade is $69,990 and the flagship Sorento Premium is $76,990. An identifying feature of the four models is the sequence of alloy wheel sizes – 17-inch on the LX, 18-inch for the EX and then 19-inch for the Deluxe and 20-inch on Premium models.

The sub-$60K entry-level LX model is well-equipped with LED headlights and Smart High Beam Assist, proximity key and push-button start, Smart Cruise Control, rain sensor wipers and tyre pressure monitoring standard.

The Sorento Premium earns top-of-the-range status with its Nappa leather seat trim, panorama sunroof, remote park assist system along with adding ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and a 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat to the equipment list.

Luxury features shared by new Deluxe and the Premium grade include a powered tailgate, 12-speaker Bose audio system, steering wheel shift paddles, alloy pedals, interior mood lighting, a Qi wireless charger and 12.3-inch high-resolution digital instrument cluster. The digital display enables the new camera-based Blind Spot View Monitor system.

Three of the four Sorento models have an 8.5-inch head-up display (HUD) that projects important information on the lower windscreen.

Kia’s Smartstream 2.2-litre common rail diesel engine has been redesigned around a new aluminium cylinder block and develops 148kW at 3800rpm with peak torque of 440Nm available between 1750-2750rpm. All models are rated with combined cycle fuel consumption of 6.1L/100km. There’s no word on the rumoured hybrid version at this stage.

A new eight-speed wet double-clutch transmission (8DCT) is part of the Smartstream powertrain package with an E-Shift Dial (shift-by-wire) offering the driver of the Premium model a twist dial to select gears, in place of a traditional gear lever.

There are four drive modes and also three “terrain mode’ settings that offers Sand, Snow and Mud settings for better traction, stability and control on different types of surfaces. Towing capacity has also increased 25 per cent to give the Sorento a braked 2500kg rating.