The Kia Sorento, now in its fourth generation, returns with a design that will turn heads. Where the previous generations look soft around the edges, the all-new Kia Sorento is one sharp-looking SUV that will make you wonder if you should buy it.
A tough-looking aesthetic stems from Kia designer’s ‘refined boldness’ concept. This leads to the brand’s new hallmark ‘tiger nose’ LED grille that integrates the headlamps seamlessly. Its headlamps feature a new ‘tiger eyeline’ LED daytime running light does leave an intense impression. This sharper and more assertive appearance is complemented by a wide, rectangular lower air intake, supported by a wing-shaped air curtains to channel air around the car. At the same time, the Sorento’s sharp bumper front spoiler with a skid plate enhancing its robust appearance.
The proportions of the Sorento are adapted to make it appear longer, with shorter front and rear overhangs and a longer wheelbase when compared to its predecessor. The additional length of its wheelbase has grown by 35mm, making it 2,815mm longer and 10mm taller. Its new proportion also extends the length of the bonnet, drawing the A-pillar by 30mm further back from the front axle for a more ‘cab-rearward’ design.
With the trailing edge of the hood that wraps around the front wings and turns into a single, strong character line that extends along the side of the Sorento and flows into the new vertical taillights. The Kia designers retains the characteristic wide D-pillar with substantial bodywork and clad wheel arches and adopts certain other design features from more recent Kia models and including a new dynamic shape on its C-pillar.
The Sorento represents a step-change in quality and design for its cabin which provides its owners with a more striking, desirable and comfortable interior. The premium-quality of the fourth-generation Sorento is enhanced with sophisticated, next-generation design, blending metallic trims, leather upholstery and embossed wood-effect surfaces. Its interior subtly integrates other technologies to enhance connectivity, driver assistance and infotainment while retaining the spaciousness and versatility that characterised the Sorento.
The all-new Sorento is integrated with a range of technologies, such as the Mood Lighting System which produces soft ambient lighting from beneath the dashboard and door trim. A wireless smartphone charger sits at the base of the centre console while the BOSE surround-sound system provides a more immersive in-car audio experience.
The all-new Sorento’s many functions can be controlled with the new haptic buttons on either side of the screen. The focal point of the dashboard is the eye-catching ventilation stacks with a chrome-effect surround that extends to the centre console below.
The 12.3-inch digital driver instrument cluster is paired with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system at the centre of the dashboard that offers audio visual navigation. Information is displated within the driver’s line of sight. The infotainment systems are compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto to provide seamless smartphone integration. At the same time, the infotainment system allows Bluetooth smartphone pairing up to two phones concurrently. A total of four USB charging sockets are available for both the second-row passengers and third-row passengers.
The all-new Sorento provides more space for people and cargo through its intelligent packaging that resulted in one of the most versatile and spacious cars in its class. The new platform is based around a compact engine bay structure and short front and rear overhangs, creating greater cabin space between axles. As a result, this SUV offers a generous space for passengers and as well as large luggage compartment.
In terms of safety, the all-new Sorento is equipped with standard safety features and advanced safety features. The standard safety features of the Sorento includes 6 SRS airbags (Front Driver & Passenger, Side and Curtain), Anti-Lock Braking System, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control System, Multi-Collision Brake Control, Hill-start Assist Control, ISOFIX Child Restraint Anchor Points and Top Tethers comes as standard for all three variants.
The all-new Sorento comes equipped with High Beam Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Blind-spot Collision Avoidance, Blind-spot View Monitor which is only available for the 2.5L ‘Smartstream’ High and 2.2D ‘Smartstream’ High. Also include in the safety features are Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Drive Attention Warning, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning (a technology with pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle detection, that also helps detects oncoming traffic when making a turn at a junction), Lane Following Assist and Smart Cruise Control (with Stop & Go).
The all-new Sorento was awarded with a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, the highest safety rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests in 2020. All the variants are equipped with Kia’s Vehicle Stability Management and Electronic Stability Control system as standard, to help drivers maintain control under braking and cornering.
In terms of powertrain and seat configuration, The all-new Sorento comes in 2 types of seat layouts, which also determines the engine that goes with the seating configuration. Firstly, the base 7-seater variant comes equipped with the 2.5L ‘Smartstream’ 2WD gasoline engine. Next, the 6-seater configuration (2-2-2), comes in 2 powertrain choices, the 2.5L ‘Smartstream’ AWD petrol engine and 2.2L ‘Smartstream’ AWD diesel engine.
Both ‘Smartstream’ gasoline engine variants are paired with a 6-Speed Automatic transmission and produce up to 177hp and 232Nm of torque. As for the ‘Smartstream’ 2.2D diesel engine variant, it produces 199hp and 440Nm of torque which utilises an aluminium block and is 38.2kg lighter than its predecessor, and is paired with Kia’s new 8-speed wet double-clutch transmission (8DCT) which is designed to offer smooth shifting and enhance fuel efficiency.
The all-new Sorento 2.2D ‘Smartstream’ AWD diesel 6-seater variant features a ‘Terrain Mode’ that improves traction, stability and control on mud, snow and sand by switching the mode through the dial on the centre console. The system automatically optimises the drivetrain to suit each scenario, adjusting engine torque output and distribution and as well as stability control characteristic.
Prices for the Kia Sorento starts at RM211,498.40 for the base 2WD 7-Seater, then rises up to RM235,498.40 for the AWD 6-Seater 2.5-litre petrol engine and finally RM255,228.80 for the top-spec 2.2-litre diesel AWD 6-seater.
The all-new Sorento is locally-assembled as CKD at the Inokom Assembly plant located in Kulim, Kedah. The colour line-up includes, Astra Blue, Meteor Grey, Snowflake White Pearl, Sonic Silver and Jet Black, making a total of 5 colours available. If you can’t decide on the choice of colour, the Astra Blue does look good on the Kia Sorento.
