The popular Korean-made Kia Sorento has been updated for the 2013 model year with a sharper look, an all new bodyshell, more variants and improvements to the interior.

The new Kia Sorento may appear as just a facelift from the outside, but the Koreans have updated the car’s bodyshell, which is now the same as the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe.

Two engines remain in the range, the 3.5-litre V6 with 204kW of power and 335Nm of torque and the popular 2.2-litre turbodiesel with 145kW of power and 421-435Nm of torque (depending on transmission). The company has kept the same six-speed automatic transmission across the range, while offering a six-speed manual for the diesel.

Updates to the exterior include standard LED daytime running lamps (DRLs), a revised front and rear bumper as well as tailgate and newly designed alloy wheels.

Kia Motors Australia chief operating officer Tony Barlow believes the new Sorento represents everything the company itself strives to be.

“This latest Sorento is bigger, better, stronger, safer and better value, all the things Kia Motors values and strives to provide for our customers.”

Read CarAdvice’s 2013 Kia Sorento Review.

Standard Equipment:

Kia Sorento Si

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Dual front SRS airbags
• Side/curtain airbags (first and second row) and active headrests
• VSM with ESC, ABS, TCS, EBD, BAS, HAC, DBC
• 3-point seatbelts for all seats.
• Height-adjustable head restraints for all seats
• Child-proof rear door locks
• Speed activated door locks
• Body-colour bumpers (4.0kph iimpact resistant)
• Body-colour door mirror mountings
• Projection-style headlights
• Rear window washer & wiper system
• LED high-mounted stop light
• Dual zone climate control air-conditioning
• Tilt-and-telescopic adjustable steering wheel
• Steering wheel-mounted cruise control/audio/phone controls
• Electric adjustable door mirrors
• Trip computer
• Remote central locking
• Engine immobiliser
• Two 12 V power outlets
• Active ECO fuel-saving program (automatic transmission models)
• 4-spoke leather wrap steering wheel
• Black woven cloth-covered seat upholstery
• Chrome door handles
• Front and rear door map pocket & bottle holder
• Centre console storage with armrest
• Folding 2nd row centre armrest with two cup holders
• Map-reading lamp
• 60/40 split 2nd row seats
• 50/50 split 3rd row seats
• CD/MP3 with USB/iPod cable input – 6 speakers
• Bluetooth phone and audio streaming
• Front fog lamps
• Static cornering lamps
• Rear cargo cover
• Windscreen sunband
• Front and rear mudguards
• Cruise control
• Audible seatbelt warning (driver & passengers seats)
• Dual Flow Dampers (DFD)
• MDPS (electric power) steering
• Front and Rear parking sensors
• LED Daylight Running Lamps
• Kia Connect Capped Price Servicing (5 Years)
• 5 Year Unlimited Kilometre Warranty

Kia Sorento SLi

• Si model plus
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Roof rails
• Third row ventilation controls
• LED rear combination lamps
• Automatic headlamps
• Rear spoiler
• Leather seats
• Supervision cluster
• Front window auto up/down
• 4.3-inch full touch screen LCD audio unit
• Rear-view camera
• Sports pedals
• Aero wiper blades
• Cloth trimmed front pillars
• Metal-look interior trim
• Mood door lamp
• Alloy door scuffs with front row illumination
• 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat
• Leather cluster housing
• UV protection Solar Glass
• 7-inch TFT cluster screen
• 3-setting FlexSteer
• Optional: Satellite Navigation system with 7-inch LCD touch screen and premium audio (external amp and sub-woofer)

Kia Sorento Platinum

• SLi model plus
• Panoramic sunroof with electric roller blind
• HID Xenon headlights
• Smart key
• Satellite Navigation (7-inch screen)
• Privacy Glass
• Washer fluid level sensor
• Premium audio with external amp and sub-woofer
• Memory function on driver’s 8-way power adjustable seat
• 4-way power adjustable passenger seat
• Heated front seats
• Ventilated front seats
• Second row side window blinds
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Active headlights
• Front door handle pocket lamps