Making room: the new KIA Sorento seven-seater SUV

Published on 1 April, 2020

Kia's new Sorento boasts sharper design lines, extra interior and luggage space

Overview

KIA'S new large 4x4 SUV, the Sorento, is due here in the third quarter (all things being equal).

The diesel will be first, followed by a plug-in (there is a hybrid version but it doesn't appear to be on the Irish horizon).

There has been plenty of demand for large seven-seater SUVs.

They are promising more information on pricing, spec nearer the Irish launch.

It is the first vehicle based on the brand's mid-size SUV platform.

The larger body yields more luggage space while still providing three rows of seats.

The platform, shorter overhangs and a 35mm longer wheelbase are responsible for the extra interior space. Kia claims more head/leg/shoulder room than many rivals (at 1,900mm, the car is 10mm wider).

There are sharper design lines; Kia claims there are better-quality materials inside.

The latest infotainment technologies are built around twin digital displays: the 12.3ins instrument cluster is twinned with a 10.25ins touchscreen infotainment and navigation system at the centre of the dashboard (focal point is the vertical ventilation stack).

For ease of access, the second-row seats slide up to 45mm more, creating a wider point of entry to the third row.

The battery pack lies under the cabin floor making sure the car can still carry seven as well as keeping good boot space.

The hybrid powertrain combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack and 44.2 kW electric motor. The combined result is 230PS. Power is delivered through a 6spd automatic transmission.

Important for Irish buyers is the fact the plug-in version is likely late this year or early next.

The diesel gets here first. It's their new 4cyl, 2.2-litre (202PS) and it's paired with a new 8spd double-clutch transmission (8DCT).

And a new 'Terrain Mode' improves the all-wheel drive system.

The advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include forward collision-avoidance assist (FCA) technology with pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle detection.