New Kia Sorento in South Africa – Details

The fourth-generation Kia Sorento is now available in South Africa at a starting price of R809,995.

The Sorento is the flagship of Kia’s local SUV range and the first vehicle based on the company’s “large SUV” N3 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,” said Kia.

Equipment

The new Kia Sorento is 10mm longer, wider, and taller than the third generation, while its wheelbase was extended by 35mm.

The SUV also incorporates design elements from its North American cousin, the Telluride, such as vertical tail lamps, sharper body lines, an integrated spoiler, and dual tailpipes.

Locally, the Sorento can be optioned in 10 exterior colours and 18-inch or 19-inch alloy wheels set the trims apart.

Inside the cabin, the baseline Sorento EX+ features high-end options such as an 8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather upholstery, electrically-adjustable front seats, and keyless entry and start.

Furthermore, this specification sees dual-zone climate control, automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, folding and heated wing mirrors, drive mode select, rear-seat sunshades, an electric tailgate, a rear-view camera, all-round parking sensors, hill-start assist, downhill brake control, trailer stability assist, and six airbags.

The mid-range SX AWD builds on this with the addition of a 10.25-inch infotainment display, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, mood lighting, and a wireless charger.

Kia’s advanced driver assist systems are also included as standard on the SX and above and comprise rear-seat check alert, driver attention alert, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision avoidance assist, lane follow and keep assist, blindspot collision avoidance assistant, and an around-view monitor.

The top-of-the-line SXL AWD offers all of the above in addition to a driver seat with memory function and cushion extensions, a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound system, dual-LED headlamps, rear LED lamps, a heads-up display, a panoramic sunroof, and smart cruise control.

Luggage capacity for the new SUV then measures 821 litres with five seats up and 2,011 litres with only the front seats erected. The middle row can also be horizontally adjusted by up to 45mm.

Performance

The new Sorento sports an updated 2.2-litre engine that is 38.2kg lighter than the one in the third-generation SUV.

The revised motor produces 148kW and 440Nm and pairs with an eight-speed double-clutch automatic transmission that directs power to either the front or all four wheels – depending on the chosen specification.

The result is a 0-100km/h time of 9 seconds for the 2WD and 9.2 seconds for the AWD derivatives, and a top speed of 205km/h for both.

For the AWD models, a Terrain Mode is also installed that controls the distribution of torque to the various wheels and adapts shift times to “help the car find and maintain traction in a range of driving environments.”

Thanks to its longer wheelbase and 4% increase in body strength, the fourth-generation Sorento offers enhanced cruising comfort and lower cabin vibration, too, said the company.

A minimum ground clearance of 176mm and maximum braked towing capacity of 2,500kg are also on the books.