PRESENCE IS POWER
SORENTO GETS NEW 8-SPD AUTOMATIC AND ADDED SAFETY
The 2018 Kia Sorento facelift has been revealed, giving the family seven-seat SUV a fresh look, new technology, and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Changes to the front of the Sorento are most noticeable, with Kia’s corporate “tiger nose” front grille now adopting a dark metallic finish while the body can be painted in Rich Espresso or Gravity Blue. Other tweaks include new LED head and tail lights as well as reprofiled front and rear bumpers that give the Sorento a sportier, more aggressive look. Kia has also added updated alloy wheel designs ranging in size from 17” to 19”. A sporty GT Line variant has also been added, bringing in some unique sporty trimmings for increased road presence, such as four-point LED fog lights, red brake calipers, and a slightly more aggressive body. Some GT Line badging completes the package.
Inside, there’s a new four-spoke steering wheel, with a rather peculiar looking round airbag boss, replacing the old three-spoke steering wheel. A new 8” infotainment touch-screen interface is available with Kia Connected Services, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. At an additional cost, buyers can opt for the optional Harman Kardon sound system packing 10 speakers for a total power of 640 watts. Kia claims that there is greater use of soft-touch plastic and leather than before, for a more premium look and feel.
The 2.2-litre CRDi diesel motor is unchanged, boasting outputs of 147kw and 441nm, but the big news is Kia’s all-new 8-speed automatic transmission. Designed in-house by Kia and launched in 2016, the transmission boasts 143 newly-patented technologies that compared to other automatic transmissions, requires fewer control valves, enabling a more direct mechanical link to the engine. This in turn delivers a slick-shifting, more decisive drive, while reducing emissions slightly from 172 to 159g/km. The new transmission offers four different drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport and Smart. Drivers can select their preferred mode with the Sorento’s electronic Drive Mode Select system. Each mode enables the driver to customize the powertrain’s responses to driver inputs, enhancing fuel economy or acceleration characteristics depending on driver preference.
Safety-wise, the Sorento gains Kia’s new DRiVE WISE Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), High Beam Assist and adaptive LED headlights with Dynamic Bending Light. These new technologies make the Sorento one of the safest vehicles in its class.
Kia will showcase the 2018 Sorento at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show where it will share the spotlight with the Picanto X-Line as well as a gorgeous shooting brake concept acting as a preview for the third-gen cee’d due next year. While the new Sorento goes on sale in Europe towards the end of 2017, Kia Motors South Africa cannot confirm if/when these updates will be available on South African models.
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