Kia’s thoroughly redesigned Sorento SUV, which is set to go on sale late this year as a 2010 model for the North American market, grows inside and out compared to its truck-based predecessor.
The all-new Sorento will be getting a bit larger — and will gain a third–row seat — as it moves to Hyundai’s Santa Fe unitbody platform. Powertrain-wise, the Sorento take a more fuel efficient route and get Hyundai’s new Theta II 2.4-liter 4 cylinder motor with about 172 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. A V6 model will also be available, using a 3.5-liter V6 good for around 273 horsepower and 247 pound-feet. Both models will drop the current five-speed transmission in favor of the new six-speed automatic found in the Veracruz. A 2.0-liter diesel will also be available for European consumers.
The new ‘ute will build off the current Sorento’s tough looking exterior, but will add crisper lines and an overall more modern look. Up front, look for the Sorento to wear Kia’s new signature grille surround, flanked by attractive, new-look headlights. Around back, integrated dual exhaust outlets give the Sorento an up-scale look.
The two-wheel-drive variant offers lower weight and enhanced fuel economy, while the all-wheel-drive edition is targeted for buyers who live snowy climates, tow trailers, or go off-road.
The staff at the company’s West Point, Georgia, plant will be assembling the new Sorento (the current Sorento is built in South Korea) with a Job 1 date scheduled for November 2009, with sales following shortly after.
04/02, 7:48 PM
posted by:
Skninjedi
Dam, are Kia and Hyundai trying to take over the world? I have my eyes on the new Forte Koup. My neighbor just bought a black soul all decked out. That car is one sweet lookin ride. Much smaller then I thought it was. Seeing it in person completly changed my mind about it. I wouldn’t mind driving a new Sorento either.
04/03, 3:38 PM
posted by:
JoseIICordero
It’s looks the way Acura should have made the MDX look.
04/03, 8:34 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
HOT DAMN!
09/15, 10:51 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
outside looks good, not sure about the inside though!
09/15, 10:55 AM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
They are certainly on a roll these days.
09/15, 11:06 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Very nice. This is a tasteful, clean design. In other words the exact opposite of that god awful Tucson a few articles down.
09/15, 11:15 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
Makes a great Borrego replacement!
09/15, 11:21 AM
posted by:
DrFill
Isn’t this virtually the same as the Borrego, with a few less horses?
And where will this leave the Santa Fe when it’s redesigned?
Exactly
DrFill
09/15, 11:22 AM
posted by:
2TellUTheTruth
They slipped a bit. Either dat, r they aint wanna compete against their hyundai counterparts. This sh!t looks a bit weak–maybe not “bad”, but weakish. I’d actually go with a suped-up ‘venga’ w/ awd over this.
09/15, 12:10 PM
posted by:
DrFill
2Tell
If you’re smart
Only if you’re smart
DrFill
09/15, 12:31 PM
posted by:
Kid Icarus
Yes they are and they are doing a damn good job at it. This new Sorento is NOTHING like the Borrego in any way mechanically or otherwise…do your homework ladies.
09/15, 12:35 PM
posted by:
DrFill
It will be just as sorry a seller, Delila
I don’t even think Borrego is a real car
Never seen one on any road
Only reason the last Sorento sold any was because it was a DIRECT KNOCK-OFF of the first RX300
Made of IRON
What a load!
DrFill
09/15, 12:36 PM
posted by:
ChuckTown86
This is going to sell very well. Looks good inside and out. The Borrego may be a good “full-size” SUV but with the Serento growing larger and adding a thrid row, just kill the Borrego for the it would probably end up growing larger to Tahoe size (we do not need that). As much as I am behind Kia/Hyundai in their efforts to be a threat, IMO their line-up should cover prime segments for right now such as: Sub-Compact Car, Compact Car, Mid-Size Car, Full-Size Car, Compact SUV/Crossover, Mid-Size SUV/Crossover. While all the other makes are making these no one want crosstour niche vehicles, Kia/Hyundai will rise to the top. With this Serento, the Soul, the Forte Sedan and Coupe, the upcoming Optima and Tuscon, and the possible Amanti replacement, in conjuction with Hyundai’s new line-up, they are out to divide and conquer. “Good luck everybody else”.
09/15, 12:41 PM
posted by:
DrFill
I heard that 5 years ago
Didn’t happen
Reminds me of the domestics in that regard
All bluff
No stuff!
DrFill
09/15, 1:26 PM
posted by:
cire_1wb
This is a bit of a letdown after the promise Kia has shown with the Forte. This simply doesn’t look as good. I’m sure the upcoming Amanti replacement will restore some of my lost faith in the brand.
09/15, 1:57 PM
posted by:
orangecones
All Kias (except the Rio and Soul) will look the same….with that Civic-esque corporate nose. Straight out of the current Optima and Forte/Koup.
09/15, 2:27 PM
posted by:
Kid Icarus
orangecones – the Soul ALREADY has the corportate tiger nose grill and the 2010 Rio is also getting the corportage grille makeover along with the 2010 Borrego. The only vehicles for 2010 that will not have the tiger nose grille are the Sedona, Rondo, and Sportage
09/15, 2:54 PM
posted by:
steve333
This thing looks like nothing, not attractive at all.
The 80s called, it wants its interior back.
Anyone getting excited over this turd has kimchi on the brain.
09/15, 3:41 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
It looks very sharp! Looks better than most luxury brands *cough BMW and Acura.*
09/15, 8:18 PM
posted by:
vvmasterdrfan
i really do like how KIA is above acura after seeing this
09/15, 10:53 PM
posted by:
larsim
Looks good!
I think Toyota needs to hire Kia’s designers. Quick!
09/16, 10:15 PM
posted by:
reedfast
i just love how the Kia booth is in a corner, somewhere out of the way.
09/18, 6:21 AM
posted by:
ConanTheBarbarian
JoseIICordero you’re right…
but it still looks a bit boring… needs some extra work on the door panels…
REGARDLESS KIA IS STEPPING UP…. HAVE YOU SEEN THAT FORTE COUPE?????
09/24, 3:05 PM
posted by:
HINKS
I FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT! From the profile view, the front end looks like a honda accord coupe! From a frontal view it reminds me of the saab SUV, and the back end reminds me of a Toyota Sequioa. Part of me disapproves of Kia’s recent trend of blatantly ripping off other companies designs, but on the other hand the cars look better than the previous generation’s offerings. The Forte though is just a little too obvious Civic/Lancer. I respect Hyundai for finding their own design logic, but then again the new Sonata and Tucson may have went too far?