The all-new Kia Sorento is unveiled in full, showing all its details, including its hybrid powertrain

About a month ago we saw the first images of the new Kia Sorento, a model that was due to be presented a few days ago at the Geneva Motor Show but, due to the circumstances that you all know about, could not take place. Even so, and despite the obstacles, the machinery keeps trying to run and, now, Kia reveals more images and more specific details of the new Sorento.

Launched in 2002, the Kia Sorento arrives 18 years later in its fourth generation with a very different look from the one it first showed us, and on this occasion it draws inspiration from the Telluride sold in North America, along with larger dimensions, partly thanks to the new platform it uses, and new powertrains, among which hybrid propulsion will be included.

Imposing and fully renewed styling

Starting at the front, the new Sorento also adopts the characteristic “tiger nose” grille, but slightly modified to be specific to this model, framing headlights that give a unique look and include daytime running lights. Lower down, the bumper features a large, fully horizontal lower air intake, which gives it a more robust appearance and further emphasises its width, which has grown by 10 mm compared with its predecessor.

Moving to the side is where we will appreciate its new dimensions much better, with a length that also grows by 10 mm to 4,810 mm with shorter overhangs, but with a wheelbase 35 mm longer, reaching 2,815 mm. Despite this, the new Kia Sorento retains details that have accompanied it through every generation, such as the wheel arches with defined lines and an oversized D-pillar.

It is at the rear where we will find the greatest similarities with the Telluride, especially in the design of its vertical light clusters, which extend generously onto the side of the Sorento. As with the front, the rear also features horizontal design lines to emphasise that greater width, together with a subtle spoiler and twin exhaust outlets discreetly hidden in the lower moulding of the rear bumper. Finally, regarding its exterior, it is worth noting that it will be available in 10 colours for the bodywork and wheels in sizes of 17, 18, 19 and 20 inches.

Roomier interior with superior quality

As has happened with the recent additions to the Kia range, which have shown a significant leap in interior quality and design, the new Sorento follows the same path, where its seven occupants will enjoy materials that combine metallic finishes with leather or embossed satin-effect surfaces. On the dashboard much of this design revolves around the two digital screens it features: a fully digital 12.3-inch unit for the instrumentation and another, located in the centre of the dashboard and dedicated to the infotainment and navigation system, measuring 10.25 inches. Directly below the latter, flanked on each side by air vents, are the climate control controls.

As I mentioned at the beginning, one of the strong points of the new Kia Sorento will be its new platform, which allows it, among other things, to offer greater comfort for all occupants as well as more boot capacity, even in the hybrid version, since the battery is located under the floor of the cabin and does not reduce interior space. In this regard, it is worth highlighting that its boot is among the largest in the segment, with 821 litres of capacity, which drops to 187 litres if the third row of seats is raised, and even then it remains among the best in its class.

On top of all this comes a large technology specification, both standard and expandable through the options catalogue, with features such as ambient lighting, a wireless smartphone charger, an 8-inch standard audio system or the optional BOSE sound system, USB connections distributed throughout the cabin, or a head-up display, among many other things. Added to this, of course, are numerous safety and driver-assistance systems, such as the new Smart Remote Parking Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Smart Remote Parking Assist, 7 airbags and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, among others.

New engines, lighter and also hybrid

In terms of mechanicals, in Europe the new Kia Sorento will feature a much lighter diesel engine than its four-cylinder, 2,200 cc predecessor, delivering 202 CV along with 440 Nm of torque, linked to an 8-speed 8DCT automatic gearbox with wet clutch. For the time being the brand has not revealed the consumption and emissions figures for this engine, although they promise to do so as the European launch date approaches.

To this engine option we must add another hybrid choice, which arrives for the first time in the Sorento, consisting of a powertrain combining a 1,600 cc T-GDi petrol engine and a 44.2 kW electric motor, resulting in a combined system output of 230 CV and 350 Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Alongside this system is a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery.

The new Kia Sorento is scheduled to launch on the European market from the third quarter, so more specific figures for consumption, prices and versions will be revealed later.

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadKIA Sorento13 versions · from 53,645 €