Kia Sorento. Premium comfort
Kia Sorento is a mid-size J-class SUV produced by the South Korean automobile maker, Kia Motors, since 2002. All-wheel drive and front-wheel drive versions are available. And the American market also offered a rear-wheel drive version.
The name ‘Sorento’ derives from the Italian resort town, Sorrento, demonstrating the major focus on the European market, which was in need of an affordable SUV in the Land Rover, Grand Cherokee and RX-300 segments. This is how the Kia Sorento appeared, being a more comfortable and advanced version of the Kia Sportage extended by 7.5 centimeters.
The manufacturers classified the Kia Sorento as a mid-size SUV. In the context of equipment situation and comfort, it is worthy of a business class. As for its size, the car falls into the C class, at the same time being in the commercial niche J. Therefore, the Kia Sorento is ideal for those buyers who have already ‘grown’ from the more compact Kia Sportage, but have not yet ‘grown’ to the full-size Kia Mohave.
The manufacturers classified the Kia Sorento as a mid-size SUV. In the context of equipment situation and comfort, it is worthy of a business class.
Kia Sorento has 3 generations, each of which has its own restyled version. The 2020 restyled third generation Kia Sorento was sold on the Israeli market. In 2020, it was expected that the fourth generation Sorento SUV, built on the new N3 platform, would be released. This platform will make the interior more spacious and will allow introducing not only a hybrid system, but also the most advanced electronic systems used in all the Kia models. We hope that the fourth Sorento will be released soon.
The first generation
The first generation Kia Sorento, released in 2002 and based on the Hyundai Terracan platform, was designed as a serious SUV. The first Kia Sorento is a frame SUV with two options of an all-wheel drive transmission: with a gearbox that rigidly connects the front axle, or with a Torque On Demand system enabling the automatic connection of the front wheels using an electronically controlled clutch. In both cases, the off-road ‘arsenal’ was also supplemented with a speed-reducing gear. After the restyling in 2006, the Sorento got a new design and more powerful engines. In total, almost 900 thousand Sorento cars of the first generation were produced until 2009.
The second generation
The 2009 second generation Kia Sorento turned the Sorento into a crossover with an integrated body and a transverse motor, but without any speed-reducing gear. This model had much in common with the ‘second’ Santa Fe and therefore with the Hyundai Sonata. The second Sorento was designed by Peter Schreyer. This meant that the SUV became aggressive and even more ‘European’. A completely new integrated body was developed, providing ample room for seven people, and it was decided to ditch the frame structure of the previous generation. The suspension underwent significant changes. Instead of a capricious front double-lever, the time-honored McPherson was installed.
After the restyling in 2012, the Kia Sorento boasted a redesigned interior, a new dashboard and better trim, as well as upgraded engines. Kia representatives assured that the SUV had acquired better steering response, was able to provide its passengers with greater comfort and was aimed at higher safety characteristics, which was confirmed by the EuroNCAP rating, according to which the car had received 5 stars out of 5.
The third generation
The third generation Kia Sorento, released in 2014, features a completely new exterior and interior design, modified lighting technology and a new line of engines. Such things as a bigger overall size of the third Sorento, more spacious interior, better interior trim, excellent noise insulation, reduction of the vibration level and the latest design solutions have made this family car look like a luxury vehicle. And the level of comfort of the third generation Kia Sorento is inherent in premium cars.
The latest design solutions have made this family car look like a luxury vehicle, and its level of comfort is inherent in premium cars.
But the improvement of the safety of the 2014/2015 Kia Sorento deserves special attention. Thus, the presence of a road marking detection system allows you to receive a timely signal of a possible collision. In addition, it inspects vehicles following your own car when changing a lane and helps monitor blind spots. A traffic sign monitoring system is also available.
Thanks to the 2017 restyling, the Kia Sorento now has an upgraded exterior, improved climate control, new body colors and two-tone interior versions. The 2017/2018 Sorento is equipped with a multimedia system suitable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The superior trim versions are equipped with full LED headlights instead of bi-xenon. Some modifications have an 8-speed automatic transmission and a sporty readjusted suspension.
