Kia revealed the fourth generation of its Sorento SUV in March.

The new Sorento is the first vehicle to be based on Kia’s new-generation midsize SUV platform and will be available with the company’s new ‘Smartstream’ electrified powertrains – the first time that hybrid power has featured in the Sorento line-up.

The new model is the result of a collaborative design effort between all three studios within Kia’s worldwide design network, in Korea, Europe and North America and embraces a concept that Kia calls ‘refined boldness’. The result of that work is a visually appealing machine with plenty of sharp lines and creases and a more sculpted look than its predecessor.

The interior ups the quality over earlier models.

There’s a smart 12.3-inch digital driver instrument cluster that is twinned with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system at the centre of the dashboard. The car’s functions can be controlled with new haptic buttons on either side of the screen and the cabin integrates a range of other technologies, including an available Mood Lighting system that emits soft ambient downlighting from beneath the dashboard and door trim. A wireless smartphone charger also sits at the base of the centre console, while a BOSE surround-sound system is also available.

The cabin blends metallic trim, leather upholstery, and embossed satin-effect surfaces. In Australia, the Sorento will be available (grade dependent) with embossed black cloth, leather appointed black cloth and black quilted Nappa leather.

Powertrains

The Sorento will be available with hybrid power – although reports suggest that option may not come to Australia – and Kia says there will eventually be both hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.

The Hybrid is powered by a new ‘Smartstream’ electrified powertrain, pairing a 1.6-litre T-GDi (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) with a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack and 44.2 kW electric motor. That set-up produces 227hp and 350Nm of torque.

There will be a new four-cylinder 2.2-litre diesel engine producing 148kW and 440 Nm torque, and reports suggest a 2.5-litre 207Kw/421Nm petrol engine will be available too.

Technology

The Sorento will come packed with a suite of technologies that enhance safety, connectivity and infotainment.

The infotainment system allows Bluetooth smartphone pairing for two phones concurrently, while front passengers can also plug in their mobile devices via two USB chargers. For second-row passengers, two USB charging sockets are integrated into the backs of the two front seats, with a third found at the rear of the front-row centre console. Both third-row passengers also have their own charging points.

The Sorento is also available with a head-up display, which projects driving information onto the base of the windscreen in the driver’s line of sight. The system displays alerts from the car’s numerous driver assistance technologies.

And there are plenty of those. Depending on specification, the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) range includes Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (FCA) technology with pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle detection; Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM); Surround View Monitor (SVM) and Blind-spot Collision-avoid Assist (BCA); Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA); Smart Cruise Control with Stop&Go (SCC) and Navigation-based SCC (NSCC); Lane Following Assist (LFA); Driver Attention Warning (DAW); and Highway Driving Assist (HDA).

Kia’s ‘level two’ autonomous driving tech – Lane Following Assist – controls acceleration, braking and steering depending on the vehicles in front and operates at up to 180km/h.

Source: Motor Trader E-magazine (June 2020)

25 May 2020