the fourth generation kia sorento has been officially unveiled in Malaysia, with local dealer Dinamikjaya Motors, a subsidiary of Bermaz Auto (BAuto), revealing that it is now accepting reservations for the redesigned three-row D-segment SUV.
Final pricing will be revealed on launch day, which we’re told will take place very soon. For now, the company says the Sorento is estimated to be between RM220,000 and RM255,000 in three variants, with local dealers claiming that deliveries will start from March this year. It should be noted that unlike the Carnivalwhich initially came to fully imported form (CBU)the Sorento will be offered as a locally assembled (CKD) model from the start.
The base option is the 7-seater 2.5 2WD, which is powered by a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated MPi four-cylinder engine generating 177PS at 6,000rpm and 232Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. The mill drives the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, with a quoted top speed of 120 mph.
Next on the list is the 2.5 AWD 6-seater which has the same MPi engine, but with an all-wheel drive system to send traction to all four corners. It also adopts a 2-2-2 seating layout with two second-row captain’s chairs instead of a bench, which is what the entry-level variant’s 2-3-2 configuration gets.
Rounding out the trio is the 6-seater 2.2D AWD, which also comes with six seats and AWD, but features a diesel engine instead. The 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel is the same as that found in the Carnival and provides 199 hp at 3,800 rpm and 440 Nm from 1,750 to 2,750 rpm. Unlike the minivan, the petroleum-fuelled Sorento features an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission instead of an eight-speed automatic; the top speed also rises to 205 km/h.
In its most recent form, the Sorento is a larger car compared to its predecessor, rising 10mm in each direction to become 4,810mm long, 1,900mm wide and 1,695mm tall. The wheelbase has also grown by 35mm to 2815mm, with most of it going to the rearmost A-pillars.
Along with shorter overhangs, the SUV sports a more premium look, complemented by sharper lines and bolder styling cues. The latter includes a more substantial “tiger nose” grille with U-shaped inserts that flow seamlessly into the slim headlamps and L-shaped daytime running lights. The lower apron features a large intake that extends to the curtains. L-shaped air vents in the corners of the bumper.
On the sides, chrome side windows add to the upscale appearance and are joined by a chrome “shark fin” in the rear quarter glass. However, it’s the rear end that sees the most significant changes, with four vertical taillight bars positioned alongside a sculpted tailgate. Adding to the visual statement is a large black bumper insert and faux vents that integrate lights and reflectors.
The interior is equally distinctive thanks to the bi-tiered air vents in the dash, with the middle ones “cradling” the control panel for the dual-zone climate system, which sits below the 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. inches.
Our local Sorento will come with a traditional stick shifter instead of a rotary dial, and you can easily tell the difference between the 2WD and AWD models by the controls on the center console; the latter has more driving modes, as well as automatic braking.
The higher-spec variant also comes with 19-inch wheels (instead of 18-inch units), a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (the 7-seater has a multi-information display and analogue dials), a system Bose sound system, leather upholstery (instead of cloth) as well as rear curtains.
All variants will come with power front seats (the 6-seat front passenger seat has controls on the side), third-row one-touch entry, second- and third-row air vents, a power liftgate, the ability to fold the second-row seats from the trunk, a Qi wireless charger, keyless entry and start, as well as compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
On the safety front, six airbags, ABS, EBD, brake assist, DSC, traction control, hill-start assist, and multi-collision brake control are standard across the range. The Sorento also gets adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and autonomous emergency braking from its base variant onwards.
In the D-segment SUV space, the Sorento competes against the Mazda CX-8, hyundai santa fe Y volkswagen tiguan allspace. Again, the estimated price for the Sorento is between RM220,000 and RM255,000. Do you like what you have seen so far?
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