2010 Kia Sorento

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By Alborz Fallah | October 21st, 2009

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.

greenmatt

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.
app_master

Thought these were coming in January 2010. Might just pop into a Kia dealer tomorrow and check it out…
Steven

I might drive this for a preview of the ix35 (Come on Hyundai!!)

kds

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.

Devil’s Advocate

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.

Devil’s Advocate

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!

Jo

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.

Simon

I’ll second that!
Ken

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.

PN

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.
David

Another car released by KIA with design cues mirroring other brands. Good work KIA Cut-n-paste division copying the Lexus RX350.
Baji192

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.
Ken D

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.
http://. Naughtyius Maximus

More great un-reporting…………all new Santa Fe when actually an all new Tuscon. Some things NEVER change!

Old Dog

In trying to decipher your comment, it appears that your confusing the santa fe launch with the tuscon launch (next year)?

http://41007/2010-lotus-exige-s-released-australian-pricing-announced/ Hans

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?
Kev

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.
Aaron

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.
Chris

I have a Kia sportiva. Not a bad car to drive but when the fan which drives the airconditioned air into the cab failed, I was told they would seafreight one in as there was none available in australia. I could get one here by carrier pigeon quicker than that!!!!!!!!!!! Lousy after sales service Kia. I won’t be replacing it with another.

Dan

Hi Chris,

The Sportage I believe is what your referring too. Parts on cars can fail from time to time it sounds like you have a problem with your dealer who would be responsible in arranging the replacement part although when I had the wiring harness burnt out on my 2004 Camry Toyota did not immediately replace it they wanted to take the burnt harness back to Japan I can hear your frustrations there or when someone stole the fog lights from it at whilst the dealer was servicing it I remember it took 3 months to replace them, I guess all manufacturers handle things different ways, I would take that issue up with Kia directly. But would highly recommend Kia or Hyundai to anyone.
I’ve had Toyota, Nissan, Holden, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Hyundai and I can definitely vouch that the Hyundai have made much better cars, more safety features and simply more bang for your buck.

Dan

I have my new Nov Built ( Dec delivered ) Sorento Platinum, it is an awesome car, I have been buying Hyundai’s since giving up on Toyota several years ago due to too many recalls and below substantial build quality and never had a problem or warranty repair on a Hyundai.

Chose the Sorento over the Sante Fe as the Sante Fe is looking rather dated an no real changes to the interior + the extra features that came with the Sorento.

Kia has come a very long way and congratulate Kia for their efforts in the new Sorento.

I know some people are concerned about not having low range for me I have never ever used low range and not about to cross the simpson desert the AWD function is more than enough for our light off road ventures.

If you haven’t looked at the Sorento definately consider it in the CRDI its worth the look.

Stay away from Daewoo captiva’s these cars are lemons.
Geoff Stephens

Geoff Says, I got the last CRDI 2.5 litre manual 5 speed model in Australia, beginning of December 2009, I don’t care how good the new model is I love mine just the way it is, done just over 2000 kls now the engine is just starting to lossen up, around the burbs getting 8.4 litres to the 100 kls. Went for a drive out the back of Walhalla, wet slippery tracks, engaged 4wd high range, car stuch like glue, did a river crossing through the Thompson. and now planning a trip to Western Australia towing a caravan.
Jeff

I bought Sorrento crdi 2010 and Jayco discovery 17’6 tandem axle ATM 1893kg. I am travelling from Mackay QLD to Perth WA, I left last friday and arrive tomorrow in Perth which is 7days. The Sorrento has performed excelent, going over every hill without lossing speed and still gave me between 12s and 18s as I was averaging 90km per hr and this was with head winds of between 30 and 40knots winds between Gilandra and Broken Hill plus winds across the Nullabor so I can’t fault it. The range at Maldra in SA, the Sorrento came over it with dropping below 105km in 4th. The only thing it needs is heavier spring in back or airlift shockers and you would haveone of best tow vehicle under 2tonnes.
Peter King

My partner & I have just purchased a Black Kia Sorento Si in Diesel. As we now have added a dog to the family, with 3 little kids, the Sedan we had was becoming a tight squeeze. We liked the well appointed Sli but couldnt justify the extra 3-4 grand. We have added front and rear parking sensors though ($900). We have only owned the vehicle for a week, so we took it for a decent drive through the windy and hilly back roads of the Mornington Peninsula. We are very happy with how it handles and the seats are supportive and comfortable. The engine is smooth & eager to please. The one niggle we have so far is that our iphone cord was faulty and doesn’t work. The dealership have ordered us a new one and it should be here in a week. We are delighted with our purchase, The Sorento is so much better value than a Ford Territory or Toyota Kluger, of which we test drove both and we kept coming back to the Kia. The Holden Captiva (although cheaper) couldnt match the Sorento for internal Space. We traded in a 16 month old Ford Falcon G6 and we have not regretted moving into a Korean built car. I would happily recommend anyone who is looking at a Family vehicle thats flexible, well equipped, comfortable and above all good value for money, the Sorento is certainly worth a test drive, like us you will be surprised by the package!