THE LARGE KIA SORENTO SUV has been a sales success, so many are keenly awaiting the arrival of the next model highlighting a raft of new technology in one of the industry’s most competitive segments. According to Kia Motors Australia Kia’s all-new Sorento large SUV is within weeks of being available in Australian showrooms.
The generational change for the multi-award-winning current model will present in four grades – GT-Line, Sport+, Sport and S – in both diesel and petrol models. The diesel will be available first and will be followed by the petrol version within months.
The 3.5-litre petrol V6 (200kW and 332Nm) and 2.2-litre 4-cylinder CRDI diesel (148kW and 440Nm) will continue with an 8-speed automatic driving through the front wheels on the petrol and as an on-demand all-wheel drive for the diesel.
“The outgoing Sorento was a game-changer in the Australian market with previously untapped safety and convenience levels in the segment, and the all-new model continues to take that story forward,” Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer Damien Meredith said.
“Across the four trim levels we believe the Sorento will meet the needs, and exceed the expectations, of anyone shopping in the seven-seat SUV market.”
The new Sorento’s safety and equipment upgrades start at the entry-level S model with the standard fit segment-first Front Centre Side Airbag (between driver and passenger). The segment-leading equipment continues in the Sport with a 10.25-inch touchscreen (Apple Carplay, Android Auto and Multi Connection Bluetooth). The Sport+ grade benefits from a pair of USB Charging Points in the back seat.
Sorento really lifts the bar in the GT-Line model with a 12.3-inch Digital Instrument Cluster (a segment first), Blind Spot View Monitor (another segment first), a shift-by-wire dial instead of a gear lever (and yet another segment first) and Remote Smart Parking Assist.
For diesel models pricing will start at $48,850 for the S and top out at $63,070 for the GT-Line. Petrol pricing starts at $45,850 for the S and goes through to $60,070 for the GT-Line (all prices plus on road costs). Like all Kia models, the new Sorento comes with seven-year warranty, seven-year capped price servicing and seven-year roadside assist package (or “roadside assistance” for the teacher who rightly pointed out that “assist” is a verb, not a noun).
We’ll bring you full specifications and pricing closer to the full launch of the Sorento.