See all Motoring NewsWhat's this?
Kia’s largest SUV, the seven-seat Sorento, updated for its fourth generation. It sits on an all-new monocoque chassis and while the wheelbase is longer by 35mm, the bodywork has only grown by 10mm. The styling has evolved from the smoother look of the Mk3 into a more angular aesthetic, which echoes some of Kia’s models from other markets around the world – like the Telluride SUV, which is sold in North America.
What will its rivals be?
It will be up against its closely related Korean stablemate, the Hyundai Santa Fe, while simultaneously taking on the varied likes of the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, SEAT Tarraco, Peugeot 5008, Nissan X-Trail and Land Rover Discovery Sport, all of which offer the capacity to carry seven people onboard.
Any tech info?
Kia has always provided lots of equipment in all of its models and the Sorento Mk4 should benefit from a wide array of driver-assist safety systems, as well as connectivity packages. One obvious visual change inside comes in the form of a heavily digitised dashboard, with a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster supplemented by a central 10.25-inch touchscreen for the infotainment. In this way, its two-screen arrangement echoes that found in the latest Mercedes models, where it is called Widescreen Cockpit.
.jpeg)
What will the range be like?
So far, just two engines have been confirmed: an evolution of the 2.2-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel that was found in the Mk3 will be employed in the Mk4, delivering around 201hp, while a hybrid petrol drivetrain uses a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit plus a 44kW (60hp) electric motor and 1.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack to churn out 230hp and 350Nm altogether. These will be joined, later down the line, by a plug-in hybrid model, with a 66kW (90hp) motor and a 16.6kWh battery, which will generate a circa-265hp peak. Both the diesel and the mild hybrid versions should come with a choice of front- or four-wheel drive, but the plug-in hybrid will be 4WD only.
Expectations?
They’re pretty high, as the Sorento has always been a thoroughly likeable large SUV and the new one looks very smart, particularly in the areas of cabin quality and onboard technology. If Kia can maintain the old car’s pleasing ride comfort and levels of refinement, this could be a very tough competitor for the class-leading Skoda Kodiaq.