2010 Kia Sorento
October 21, 2009 by Alborz Fallah
Kia Australia will tomorrow launch the all-new Kia Sorento SUVs, the update comes a week ahead of the launch of sister company Hyundai’s all-new Santa Fe.
Both cars will be available with high-tech 2.2-litre R-series turbo diesel engines, in Kia guise it will produce 145kW of power and 422Nm of maximum torque (436Nm with automatic transmission). A great achievement for such a tiny engine, it will also emit a very respectable 177g/km of CO2 emissions.
Just like Hyundai with its new Santa Fe, Kia will also enter two Sorentos in the Global Green Challenge at the end of this week. Both cars in the challenge will be driven via a 6-speed manual transmission to make maximum use of all that torque.
Check back tomorrow for more details as CarAdvice will be at the launch of the next-generation 7-seat Sorento CRDi with R-series diesel engines.
Print it: 
Finally, I’ve been seeing a white diesel powering around the place for a few weeks now. Thr front looks very good in the flesh, not so convinced by the back.
Thought these were coming in January 2010. Might just pop into a Kia dealer tomorrow and check it out…
I might drive this for a preview of the ix35 (Come on Hyundai!!)
WTF?!
How is driving this going to give you any idea what the iX35 will be like? They aren’t on the same platform and don’t share engines.
Sorry to dissapoint you KDS, but the Sorrento and 2010 Santa Fe DO in fact share the platform and “R series” turbo diesel engine. This is according to other sites as well like Autoblog, Edmunds and Motor Trend just to name a few after a 2 minute google search. That said the suspension and engine tune would be different between the 2 and most likely giving them an individual character. The Ford/Mazda clones/platform share models over the decades have been a good example of this. :-)
Sorry, I should learn to RTFQ! LOL You are right KDS, it is based of the Santa Fe and NOT the ix35. I am having a shocker! Bed time for me I think!
Such a shame they didn’t product an off-road/towing version with live axle/low range…
Looks like my next 4wd won’t be a Kia. A shame, because I really like the current Sorento. The most underrated 4wd on the market.
Perhaps Hyundai will release a new version of the Terracan. One can only hope.
I’ll second that!
I feel the same way as a real 4WD should have body on frame, high / low gears etc. Problem with that is most people never take these offroad and want a better road car. KIA tried the true 4wd concept with the old model and like most KIA’s, they don’t sell because of the badge. At least with this model, it should satisfy the majority with a better handling road car with a reduced offroad capability and the addition of 7 seats.
Already drove one of these about 4 weeks ago. HUGE improvement on the previous model, however it is more a soft roader! Got bogged in sand which I do think the old model could have gotten out of no problem.
Besides the off-road capability, the new sorento onroad is great! Quality is much better and the engine/transmission is much better than the old model. Regular driving is through the FWD however when traction is lost, the AWD system cuts in.
Another car released by KIA with design cues mirroring other brands. Good work KIA Cut-n-paste division copying the Lexus RX350.
David, This looks NOTHING like a lexus RX350, besides the fact that they both have 4 wheels, headlights, tailights, doors and windows. This photo doesn’t really show the true shape of the new sorento. If you look at other shots, its actually a bit boxy compared to the RX’s curvier body.
Jo, in the states and some other countries, Kia as a dedicated 4wd with live axle called the Borrego. But i think it was only powered by either a V6 or V8 petrol engine, and its significantly bigger than the current Sorento.
Why is it that every time KIA bring out a new car, everyone thinks they copied someone else. How about you get a clean sheet of paper and start sketching something in your head and I bet it has got styling cues from some other car, whether or not you intended on it. There’s only so much you can do before they all start to look similar with the current design restrictions with regards to safety etc.
More great un-reporting…………all new Santa Fe when actually an all new Tuscon. Some things NEVER change!
In trying to decipher your comment, it appears that your confusing the santa fe launch with the tuscon launch (next year)?
Stop with the drip feeding Kia/Hyundai and just release the cars!!!
I heard that Kia might release theirs with a lower sticker price but make owners pay more for their servicing and parts, any truth to that rumour?
Waiting on details of the new Sorento, can you post them please.
I’ve seen 2 in a car dealer yard but they’re not sure on details.
Ive seen and driven and compared the Sorento to the Santa Fe, they both have the new R engine and trans but different platforms. The Sorento gets the new platform thats why it has the 5 star EURO-NCAP crash rating and the Santa FE still has the 4 star rating. So its basically an updated old model Santa Fe but this will be updated to the new Sorento platform later this year.