- New refreshed Kia Sorento raises bar with bold design.
- Confident facelifted exterior design remains modern and stylish with a high-quality, high-tech cabin
- Great levels of space and comfort, for a more enjoyable drive
- Progressive connectivity and driver-assistance feature
- All-wheel-drive with style
- On sale in South Africa with a 6-year / 90 000km full maintenance plan
Boldly Evolved: The refreshed Kia Sorento raises the bar with bold design, advanced technology and outdoor-ready capability.
Built to inspire confidence on every road and in every moment, the Kia Sorento continues to set new benchmarks for large family SUVs. With cutting-edge design, advanced efficiency, and a flexible interior built for real life, the Sorento isn’t just leading Kia’s local SUV line-up—which includes the Sonet, Seltos, and iconic Sportage—it’s redefining what South Africans can expect from a premium family vehicle.
Available as a seven-seater (with individually folding third-row seats), the new Sorento offers peace of mind to people with busy, fast-paced lifestyles.
Paul Turnbull, CEO of Kia South Africa, comments: “The Sorento’s evolution over the past few decades echoes that of the Kia brand as a whole. A rich package of advanced safety features, combined with highly efficient powertrains, make the new Kia Sorento the perfect vehicle for customers looking for a safe, reliable, and relaxed drive. While the car was initially launched in 2002, the latest facelift Sorento has transformed into a more desirable vehicle representing the perfect balance between premium quality features and value for money. The Sorento took top honours in the Premium category at the SAGMJ COTY awards in 2023
A striking on- and off-road appearance
A strong exterior design refresh gives the new Kia Sorento a striking, eye-catching appearance. The newly designed hood is sculpted with a stronger sense of volume proves an upscaled SUV image. The latest model to embody Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, the SUV represents the ‘Bold for Nature’ pillar of this strategy, demonstrating how nature and modernity can co-exist. The new Kia Sorento features an updated exterior design, embodying futuristic boldness for a more premium look. At the front, a new bonnet implements an upscaled SUV design with a higher volume and a more defined silhouette. Unique vertical headlights and star map DRLs emphasise a progressive and high-tech image, as does a new radiator grille design with a 3D mesh pattern.
Together, a vertical geometry of the headlight and taillight graphics create a visual harmony and emphasise a capable and solid look as an SUV. Sequential front turn signals complete the high-tech look. The redesigned front lower bumper exudes robustness and confidence, with a wide skid plate, redesigned fog lamps, and vertical air intake underlining a strong and technical image.
To the side, a new fender design features increased 3D looks. All derivatives within the range come standard with 20-inch wheels.
The rear of the vehicle features a refreshed taillight design with diagonal LEDs. The vertical star map graphics, created by connecting two distinct taillights, emphasise the design-connectivity of the Kia Sorento’s new look. The slim LED high-mounted brake light suggests a high-tech, high-class image, while the updated rear bumper and exhaust trim give it a more rugged look. The wide rear skid plate, combined with graphic elements from the black cladding, creates a solid SUV image.
An interior refresh for maximum in-vehicle comfort
Inside, the Kia Sorento’s panoramic dimensions create a sense of wideness. This horizontal image is further emphasised with the application of subtle interior mood lighting throughout the interior and across the dashboard. This ambient lighting is visible along the dashboard, on the gear knob, and on the front door trims. The curved display and the multimode touch display create a high-tech and modern feeling. The shift-by-wire gear knob has been redesigned, while a black headliner, metal pedals, and a panoramic sunroof give the new Sorento a technical, bold and modern edge.
A sustainable interior trim strategy for a balanced relationship with nature
With the perfect balance of rugged and sustainable elements, the interior of the new Kia Sorento also reflects the ‘Bold for Nature’ pillar of the ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy.
Efficient, powerful turbodiesel engine
A four-cylinder, 2.2-litre 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. 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.
Enhanced technology for a seamless customer experience
Equipped with the latest technology to increase safety, reliability, and comfort. Dual panoramic integrated screens grace the interior: a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation and a 12.3-inch driver instrument cluster. In addition, a 10-inch head-up display allows drivers to see basic vehicle and traffic information without taking their eyes off the road. The digital rear-view mirror, meanwhile, can be used as a normal electric chromatic mirror or as a display for a camera picture. This enables the driver to get a safe rear view in situations when their view is obscured.
In addition, the new Sorento incorporates a wireless phone charger, six USB-C charging ports (two per row) and a Bose premium sound system in the top range SXL model.
Upgraded ADAS and safety features for maximum peace of mind
ADAS technology is upgraded and available across the range, aligned to the trim spec. These features include, but not limited to Forward Collision=Avoidance Assist which now includes Junction Turning and Crossing, Evasive Steering Assist, lane change oncoming, and lane change side.
The Sorento is fitted with up to seven airbags: dual front airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags with rollover sensor, a new second-row rear thorax airbag, and a front centre airbag. The front centre airbag, an innovation, provides additional head protection for front-seat occupants and is designed to prevent their heads coming into contact during a collision.