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The fourth generation of the Kia Sorento has been designed and engineered to take on everything life throws at it. A powerful, progressive, and versatile SUV, the Sorento raises the game for other seven-seat family-focused SUVs.

The Sorento’s exterior design – sharp lines, high-tech details, and elongated proportions – gives it a confident and mature presence. Inside, its attractive cabin features premium-quality materials, cutting-edge infotainment technologies, and a stunning design.

The Sorento was the first vehicle to be based on Kia’s new-generation midsize SUV platform. Paired with a large body to maximise cargo and luggage space, the platform ensures the Sorento is one of the most versatile and spacious three-row SUVs on the road.

Furthermore, the Sorento’s innovative interior packaging means it can offer all this while accommodating Kia’s ‘Smartstream’ diesel and electrified powertrains. The new model offers greater fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and higher performance than its predecessors.

The latest Sorento range starts from £44,995 with the ‘Vision’ which is as follows – 2.2 Diesel, 19″ Alloy Wheels, Panoramic Sunroof with Tilting & Sliding Function with Automatic Electric Roll Blinds, Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Rear-Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), 10.25″ Touchscreen Satellite Navigation featuring Free 7-Year Kia Connect services, Wireless Mobile Phone Charger, 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated Seats (Front and Outer Rear), Engine Start/Stop Button with Smart Entry System, Smart Power Tailgate.

Starting from £46,495 is the ‘Vision Hybrid’ which is as follows – 1.6 Turbocharged Petrol Hybrid, 19″ Alloy Wheels, Panoramic Sunroof with Tilting & Sliding Function with Automatic Electric Roll Blinds, Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Rear-Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), 10.25″ Touchscreen Satellite Navigation featuring Free 7-Year Kia Connect services, Wireless Mobile Phone Charger, 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated Seats (Front and Outer Rear), Engine Start/Stop Button with Smart Entry System, Smart Power Tailgate.

An ‘Edition’ model starts from £49,590 and is as follows – 2.2 Diesel, 20″ Black Alloy Wheels, Panoramic Sunroof with Tilting & Sliding Function with Automatic Electric Roll Blinds, Customisable Head-Up Display (HUD), Bose™ Premium Sound System with 12 Speakers, 360° Around View Monitor, Wireless Mobile Phone Charger, Blind-spot Monitor Camera, Ventilated Front Seats, Remote Smart Park Assist (RSPA), Smart Power Tailgate, Free 7-Year Kia Connect services.

The ’Edition Hybrid’ is priced from £51,055 and features a 1.6 Turbocharged Petrol Hybrid, 19″ Alloy Wheels, Panoramic Sunroof with Tilting & Sliding Function with Automatic Electric Roll Blinds, Customisable Head-Up Display (HUD), Bose™ Premium Sound System with 12 Speakers, 360° Around View Monitor, Wireless Mobile Phone Charger, Blind-spot Monitor Camera, Ventilated Front Seats, Remote Smart Park Assist (RSPA), Smart Power Tailgate, Free 7-Year Kia Connect services.

Moving up the pricing slightly is a ‘Vision Plug-In Hybrid’ which starts from £51,495 and is as follows – 1.6 Turbocharged Petrol Plug-In Hybrid, 19″ Alloy Wheels, Panoramic Sunroof with Tilting & Sliding Function with Automatic Electric Roll Blinds, Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Rear-Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), 10.25″ Touchscreen Satellite Navigation featuring Kia Connect, Wireless Mobile Phone Charger, 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated Seats (Front and Outer Rear), Engine Start/Stop Button with Smart Entry System, Smart Power Tailgate.

Finally, the range topping ‘Edition Plug-In Hybrid’ starts from £56,995 which features – 1.6 Turbocharged Petrol Plug-In Hybrid, 19″ Alloy Wheels, Panoramic Sunroof with Tilting & Sliding Function with Automatic Electric Roll Blinds, Customisable Head-Up Display (HUD), Bose™ Premium Sound System with 12 Speakers, 360° Around View Monitor, Wireless Mobile Phone Charger, Blind-spot Monitor Camera, Ventilated Front Seats, Remote Smart Park Assist (RSPA), Smart Power Tailgate, Free 7-Year Kia Connect services.

Hybrid power makes its debut

The Sorento hybrid is powered by Kia’s ‘Smartstream’ electrified powertrain, pairing a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol direct injection (T-GDi) with a 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. With the battery located under the front seat, the new electrified powertrain has minimal impact on cabin and cargo space.

The electrified powertrain combines lower CO2 emissions with strong performance, producing peak power output of 226bhp and peak torque of 350Nm. The engine features Kia’s Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology to boost performance at low-to-mid engine ranges and enhances fuel efficiency. Power is sent through a six-speed automatic transmission via a transmission-mounted electrical device, resulting in immediacy in acceleration response at any speed, with direct access to battery power at higher speeds.

Business friendly plug-in hybrid

The Sorento PHEV is the most powerful and lowest emitting model in the Sorento line-up, thanks to its plug-in powertrain. Featuring the same 1.6-litre T-GDi seen on the regular HEV model, the larger battery pack and electric motor give the Sorento PHEV a 35bhp boost in power. 

The engine and motor are paired with a high-capacity 13.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. This enables the seven-seat SUV to deliver an equivalent all-electric range (EAER) of up to 35 miles (WLTP) from a single charge, ensuring its ability to complete short journeys on EV power alone. The plug-in hybrid model produces peak power of 261bhp and offers a maximum torque output of 350Nm.

High torque diesel engine

The Sorento is also available with Kia’s 2.2-litre ‘Smartstream’ diesel engine. With a new aluminium block, 19.5kg lighter than the cast iron block of its predecessor, the new engine is 38.2kg lighter compared to that found in the third-generation Sorento.

The 190bhp, 440Nm engine is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (8DCT). Designed to offer the smooth shifting characteristics of a conventional automatic, the 8DCT enhances fuel efficiency over a conventional eight-speed automatic, depending on application. The diesel edition of the Sorento can tow a braked trailer of up to 2,500kg, continuing the Sorento’s long-held tradition for offering superior towing capabilities.

 

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Graham is a photojournalist and motoring writer with over 20 varied years of coverage from manufacturer press launches to international motorsport and motoring events throughout the world. Graham is a full member of the Guild of Motoring Writers and Ulster Motor Writers Association.