Kia Sorento SUV to preview at Frankfurt

By George Skentzos | August 10th, 2009

In the lead up to the Frankfurt Motor Show, Kia has released the first details and official images of its new generation Sorento SUV.

The new version is longer and lower than the current model, adopting the now signature Kia grille and offering a much more spacious and luxurious cabin.

At almost 4.7 metres long, the new Sorento is certainly larger but also sleeker than the current model with an aerodynamic drag figure of Cd 0.38 – down from 0.43.

The most popular engine choice is expected to be the all-new 2.2-litre diesel unit from Kia’s ‘R’ family of engines, producing 145kW and 421Nm.

This engine will be offered with either a six-speed manual or Kia’s all-new efficient six-speed automatic transmission.

“With the new Kia Sorento, we have created an all-new, ‘Highline Cruiser’ that we believe offers buyers the benefits of an exciting all-rounder with a much broader appeal,” commented Panu Vainamo, General Manager Marketing, Kia Motors Europe.

“Kia engineers have ditched the original Sorento’s body-on-frame structure and designed an all-new monocoque bodyshell, achieving a weight loss of up to 215 kg, greatly improving fuel economy and contributing to a more controlled ride than expected from a four-wheel-drive.”

The new Sorento’s ride and handling balance has been retuned to become more on-road biased for added comfort whilst maintaining a degree of the original model’s renowned off-road talents.

High-tech features will include keyless entry, an engine start button, in-mirror reversing camera and a panoramic glass sunroof.

The line-up, final specification and prices of the all-new Sorento will be announced closer to the car’s Australian launch date.

Jo

I’m really disappointed with this release.

The current Sorento is a REAL 4×4 with a live rear axle, low range, separate body on frame construction, solid recovery points & a real transfer case. It has only recently started gaining the respect that it should have attained from day one.

This new release is a crappy (although admittedly very nice looking) softroader.

Current Sorento buyers are mostly 4×4′ers and caravan hauling types. I don’t think the current model with suite either group. Let’s hope Hyundai release a new (REAL fourby) for those of us who don’t want need a massive 4×4 (like the Landcruiser/LandRover/Patrol) and arent interested in independent suspension 4×4′s like the Vitara/Pajero.

The Sorento was a nice medium sized compromise.
Yanzo

niiiiice me likey. the looks that is
Richo

Jo – interesting that you don’t like independant suspended 4WD’s like the Pajero, presumably for off road purposes, and prefer the current sorento and its live axle instead, however the current Pajero is considerably more capable off road then the current sorento which is just faaaaaaaar too low to the ground, even when lifted as far as legally possible, its too low, no traction control, not in the same ball park.
RiderX

Only about 13 times better looking than the current model. I dare say it’s the best looking SUV on the market. Cracking turbo diesel plus 6 speed auto sound like a winner to me.
Robin Graves

I like it, but I agree with Jo it might lose some sales due to repositioning in the market. Losing the separate chassis and transfer case makes it a soft-roader. Stonking ‘R’ series diesel, Hyundai should bring out a i30 GT-D with one in it, imagine the torque steer tho? Maybe a Genesis coupe GT-D – would go hard.
Martin

I too miss the old ladder frame chassis on the current Sorento. But in reality, the large majority of people that would be looking at this new one, probably wouldn’t take it off-roading anyway.

On the upside, that 2.2L diesel and 6-speed auto transmission are sure to be a class leader.
http://www.nationaltransportllc.com Auto Shipping

Its a great one by KIA I am going to buy this one for sure though it will cost a lot cause i am in Bangladesh.
http://Caradvice.com.au Baddass

Does look great but there is a lot going on in the front. Perhaps not putting black backgrounds in the headlamps would clear it up a bit. Still great.
Jake02

Non-indepedant suspension pisses me off (maybe not in utes as only the Commodore has it :S) it’s so old and it gives you the real impression of cheapness in some areas of the car. Jo I’m pretty sure that Land Rovers have independamt suspension, the Patrol is so old it’s in desperate need of a new model and LC200′s are based on the LC100 platform but with kinetic suspension. Vitaras and Pajeros are still bloody good cars off-road though.

This Sorento looks great, and with that diesel motor I reckon it’ll shred the 4WD Market as it builds on the old cars ability with actual style.
http://skyline The Salesman

Every customer who buys a Sorento does so for towing. We had a bidding war going for our very last diesel ex. We will get a 2WD in October, no final specifications or pricing yet. Looks great, Sorento will also be in the Captiva and Territory market and that’s were the majority of customers are. Trouble is Kia is not known in this market as well as the competitors. I hope Kia come out with a strong marketing campaign, I don’t want to spend my days explaining to customers why they can not tow 2800kg’s
Tim

Guys, you should post the picture of the rear of this thing. Its bloody hideous! Everything else looks good though!
JEKYL & HYDE

and the “grill of 2009″ award goes to….
Pops

The front looks the goods & is how the new RX350 should have turned out… pay attention Lexus!
nothanks

Do you guys know that Hyundai, Kia became 4th largest car production company in the World followed by Toyota GM Volkswagen…? They overtook Ford…Who is next?
aaron88

HOT! Love the new styling. Why no back end photo, ugly?
nothanks

“Why no back end photo, ugly?”

Aaron/ I have seen the back end…Yes, really ugly…
http://Caradvice.com.au Baddass

Nothanks, the back is not that bad, just a little boring. Still overall a great car.
Tony

i have nothing bad to say about this

looks good, 1.8 ton, plenty of torque, 6 spd auto, 5 yr warranty

plenty of interior shots on the net, looks almost audi like

don’t see how it can’t mess up the day of the pretenders like the Captiva, Outlander (no diesel) and even the Hyundai Santa Fe…

i really want to dislike Kia but they keep bringing out cars that are above average unlike the others
Richo

Tony – the new Sorento is based on the same platform as the current Hyundai Santa Fe which you brand a pretender, yet the Sorento you have nothing bad to say about… strange
Jo

Hi Richo

I would have to disagree with your comment regarding the current sorento. The live axle will keep all 4 wheels on the ground where the Paj will lift wheels and whir-n-spin as the traction control tries hard to gain traction. I looked at the NS Paj before I settled on the Sorento. I had real issues with the following:

1. The NS Pajero had the DPF issue. It took Mitsubishi 3 attempts to get it right. Doesn’t instill much confidence when your in the outback
2. The location of the air intake baffles me! Why would you place it at the front of the car? The Sorento breathes via the inner gaurd
3. The NS Diesel Pajero was gutless, and suffered from turbo lag. The Sorento has a garret turbo-charger. Best in the business and loads of torque.
4. Even the current Paj Diesel sounds unrefined. Loud and intrusive. Sorento is nice and quiet.
5. Don’t think about adding a snorkel to the diesel – its soooooo loud your ears will bleed
6. Independent suspension bites

I have the OME kit installed in my current Sorento and it will go almost anywhere. Plenty of clearance and great articulation.
Richo

Jo – I own an NT Pajero and I totally agree about the lack of performance of the NS Diesel, thankfully that isn’t the case with the NT update which is now a hugely impressive motor, also it is a lot quieter then the NS diesel as well, however still not as quiet as the Sorento, so your right there for sure.

The snorkel issue, what the ARB salesman won’t tell you is the issue is specific to Safari Snorkels, the TJM Airtek snorkel does not suffer the same resonation issues the Safari snorkel suffers on the Pajero’s, when I had my snorkel fitted I seriously couldn’t notice any difference in noise at all.

The PDF issue was an issue, however it has been resolved since the start of 2008 when they fitted a flow through PDF filter which basically means that even with the filter completely full, exhaust gases will still flow and the car won’t go into limp home mode.

Also its clear in your comments you have little experience with the Pajero’s TC system, it doesn’t “whir and spin” infact thats the point, the TC prevents spin. The TC in the Pajero works very very well.

From experience I can tell you that the Sorento doesn’t articulate very much more at all then a Pajero, yes it has a live axle but in combination with its shorter wheelbase, lack of front end travel (Pajero is ordinary there too) and the fact that the Pajero has very long rear suspension arms means that last time I was at Cruiser Park the Sorento that was there was lifting wheels just as frequently, possibly more, then my Pajero. Also thanks to the Pajero’s TC my car got significantly futher then the Sorento which even lifted, also with OME, it just didn’t have enough clearance.

Also independant suspension is better in 95% of driving situations, on road, gravel road, sand, handling, ride control, refinement, infact the only circumstances where a live axle is superior is in terms of axle articulation and even then the benefits of this are only found in very sever off road situations and even then cars fitted with TC will overcome a small lack of wheel travel quite easily, also the trailing arms in the Sorento really aren’t long enough to make the Sorento an articulation machine anyway….

also the Sorento is small, really small, has a boot no bigger then my lancer
Richo

wow sorry… didn’t realise my post was so long
Aussie Cars

Love the front end styling looks great. But in my opinion orange blinker lenses have no place on a car in this day and age. The last model did not have it why go back to it.
Jo

LOL, thanks for setting me straight on the traction control Richo.

I don’t agree with your rear wheel travel comment, but hey we all have opinions..
Tomas79

So True Jo,Pajero’s traction control isn’t that good, since they have offer a rear diff lock to compensate.
Most 4×4 magazines consider Prados and Pajeros to be very similar, although the Pajeros IRS and monocoque constructions has bettter on road comfort while, the Prado’s rear solid axle and body on frame give it better offroad ability!!

I agree that this KIA is good looking, but it is disappointing that like most manufacturers they aregoing soft…
Richo

Tomas70 – I wonder how you know this.. I’m yet to find anyone who has driven my Pajero off road to not be amazed at how effective its TC is, same story for a mate of mine with a Land Rover Discovery TD5 with a similarly equiped traction control system, works 95% as well as diff locks.

Also every off road review I have read doesn’t back up your comments abouth the Prado being more capable off road then the Pajero, most reviewers state that they are about the same however the Pajero’s TC will get it further then a non-TC equiped Prado
Cary

I am impressed with the front of this vehicle and like most comments here the rear could’ve had some more work done. Diesel engine looks good, but is yet to be tested and when it comes out here in OZ, I will be waiting for all the reviews to come out. It makes a difference when Kia employs a European designer.
app_master

For me 4WD is not an issue, nor towing capicity…
It will cart around the family (Mum’s taxi) so…with all the proposed features – particularly hoping for 5 star ANCAP, included reverse camera and seven seats – on a DEISEL 2WD version – this WILL be our next family car…
My fingers are crossed, hoping it is as good as it seems and comes at the right price (i.e. which for us is less than the base model diesel Holden Captiva!)
app_master

It get’s better – just awarded Euro NCAP 5 Star…!
Blinky Bill from Bellingen

I’ve recently started paying more attention to the Kia & Hyundai, whereas previously I just consider them up to speed in quality, perfromance or reliability.

Right now I’m super interested in the off road diesels from Korea. Soon enough I see myself organising a test drive & we shall go from there.

Anyone know the towing capacity of the Kia diesel Sorento? With that torque & power she’s got to be okay for around 2 ton.