New Kia Sorento 2015, ready for its international debut

Following the debut in Korea of the third generation of the Kia Sorento, its European debut will take place at the Paris Motor Show. Smoother lines, more interior space and a large number of innovations are some of the features of the new model.

The designers have named the inspiration on which they based the new car “Street Wolf”. At the front, the larger fog lamps stand out, along with the larger grille in the “tiger nose” style “tiger nose” used on the Kia Cross GT concept and more enveloping main headlamps in keeping with the design.

It still keeps a long bonnet and the characteristic wide D-pillar, but with a lower and sportier roofline. The waistline is higher, giving it a more muscular appearance. At the rear, the more prominent “shoulders” reach the height of the rear lamps.

The new Sorento measures 4.78 metres long, 1.68 metres high and 1.89 metres wide. The improvement in length and width dimensions is noticeable in the interior, which is now much more spacious.

The design studio that Kia has in Namyang (Korea), was in charge of directing the exterior design of the car, which also relied on the close collaboration of the studios the brand has in Frankfurt (Germany) and Irvine (California).

Most of the improvements are found in the interior, which uses higher-quality materials, improving its appearance and turning it into an environment close to those of premium brands. In Frankfurt they worked on every detail so that it would suit European tastes, providing an eye-catching, functional and renewed interior.

The centre console on the dashboard is dominated by a large screen equipped with the new Kia HMI (human-machine interface) multimedia system, which brings together information, connectivity and entertainment.

The interior will be available in one tone (Saturn Black) or two tones (Saturn Black and Stone) in cloth or leather. Additionally, leather finishes in brown or light grey will be offered as an option.

Although the roofline is lower, the headroom for occupants in all three rows of seats is not affected. Legroom increases, so comfort is assured on both short trips and long journeys.

You can choose between two versions, with 5 or 7 seats. The modularity of the second row in the 5-seat version is 40/20/40 for greater versatility, including a folding central armrest. The 7-seat version features “remote folding” of the second row, controlled by two levers on the sides of the cargo area.

Boot volume increases. It goes from 515 litres (VDA) to 605 litres (VDA) in the 5-seat configuration. To make loading easier, the new Sorento can be equipped with the “Smart Power Tailgate” option, a system that opens the rear tailgate automatically when it detects the car key near the boot, so that objects, large or small, can be placed much more easily and comfortably.

Another new element is the “Around-View Monitor”, a peripheral vision monitor equipped with four cameras, located at the front, rear and front wing mirrors, which help the driver when parking.

Engineers also paid special attention to reducing noise, vibration and harshness for greater refinement, as well as reinforcing the body structure to improve occupant safety.

Elements such as new insulating materials, a thicker soundproofing panel on the dashboard, and a new DPF cover and an acoustic shield integrated into the timing chain for diesel engines help reduce noise inside the vehicle.

Improvements have also been made to the engines, updating them, and changes have been made to the suspension and steering. In Europe only two engines will be available: a 2.4 GDI direct-injection petrol and a 2.2-litre turbo diesel, which will account for most of the sales.

The suspension retains the layout of the previous model, MacPherson at the front and the Kia multi-link system at the rear. It has a series of modifications that, together with a longer wheelbase, provide a smoother ride and a progressive response to potholes.

The new electric power steering system (R-MDPS), is mounted directly on the steering rack, unlike the previous model where it was on the steering column, which provides a quicker response and better feel.

Among the active safety systems available that can equip the new Sorento are: intelligent adaptive cruise control (ASCC), the lane keeping assist system (LDWS), which sounds an audible alert when the driver drifts out of lane without using the indicators, the forward collision warning (FCW), the blind-spot detection system (BSD), the rear cross-traffic collision warning (RCTA) and the speed limit information function (SLIF), which displays the speed limit on the driver’s instrument panel based on road sign-detecting cameras.

The new SUV from the Korean brand has all the ingredients needed to succeed and position itself among the best-selling vehicles in its category.

Source | Kia

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadKIA Sorento13 versions · from 53,645 €