Powerful, progressive and versatile, the fourth generation of Kia’s large family SUV is designed and engineered to take on everything life throws at it. Raising standards in the class for space, efficiency and quality, the all-new Kia Sorento sits at the head of Kia’s South African SUV line-up, which also includes the Sonet, Seltos and the evergreen Sportage.
Gary Scott, CEO of Kia South Africa, comments: “The Sorento’s evolution over the last two decades echoes that of the Kia brand as a whole. While the car was initially launched in 2002 as a utilitarian all-terrain vehicle, the fourth-generation Sorento has been transformed into something altogether more desirable, and representing the perfect balance between premium quality features and value for money.”
The Sorento’s redefined exterior design – with sharper lines, high-tech details, and elongated proportions – gives it a more confident and mature presence. Inside, its attractive cabin also introduces premium-quality materials, cutting-edge infotainment technologies, and a stunning new design.
The new Sorento is the first vehicle to be based on Kia’s new-generation large SUV platform. Paired with a bigger body to maximise cargo and luggage space, the platform ensures the Sorento is one of the most versatile and spacious three-row SUVs on the road.
Furthermore, the Sorento’s innovative interior packaging means it can offer all this while accommodating Kia’s new ‘Smartstream’ diesel powertrain. As a result, the new model offers greater fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and higher performance than its predecessors.
This is one of Kia’s most advanced vehicles ever thanks to its progressive connectivity, driver assistance and infotainment technologies. Its user-friendly twin digital displays deliver advanced graphics, new telematics features and smartphone connectivity.
A mainstay of Kia’s global line-up, more than three million Sorento models have been sold worldwide since it was launched in 2002.
More confident, mature and desirable
Stylish and modern, the new Sorento is the flagship for Kia’s reinvigorated SUV line-up in South Africa; the result of a collaborative design effort between Kia’s worldwide design network in South Korea, Europe and the USA.
Efficient, powerful new turbo-diesel engine
A new four-cylinder, 2.2-litre ‘Smartstream’ diesel engine is available in the fourth-generation Sorento. The powerplant produces 148kW at 3,800 r/min and 440Nm of torque between 1,750 and 2,750 r/min. With a new aluminium block – 19.5 kg lighter than the cast iron block of its predecessor – the new engine is 38.2 kg lighter compared to that found in the third- generation Sorento. Furthermore, it is paired with Kia’s new eight-speed wet double-clutch transmission (8DCT). Designed to offer the smooth shifting characteristics of a conventional automatic, the 8DCT enhances fuel efficiency over a conventional eight-speed automatic, depending on application.
New for the fourth generation, the latest Sorento AWD models offer enhanced all-terrain capability over their forebears thanks to a new Terrain Mode. Paired with the all-wheel-drive system, Terrain Mode makes the Sorento more capable in mud, snow and sand. With each mode selectable from a dial on the centre console, Terrain Mode carefully controls the car’s standard electronic stability control (ESC), as well as the distribution of torque to all four wheels. It also adapts transmission shift times to help the car find and maintain traction in a range of driving environments.
All Sorento models include as standard, Kia’s industry-leading Unlimited Kilometre, 5-year warranty (inclusive of roadside assistance), as well as a 6-year / 90,000 km maintenance plan. The latter is a comprehensive package that covers a number of components at no cost to the owner over and above a standard service plan, including (but not limited to) brake pads, discs and linings; shock absorbers, battery; clutch; cambelt; various belts; globes and fuses.
The all-new Sorento range is on sale across Kia South Africa’s national dealer network immediately, with SXL models available from March 2022.