COLOUR ME CLEVER
Safety and info tech shine under the Sorento’s conservative palette
Excitement is building for Kia, not that the subdued colour palette on the new Sorento would give any indication. Massaged for 2018, the seven-seat Sorento SUV gets new infotainment technology, improved safety and an automatic with two more ratios than the outgoing sixspeed transmission.
Prices are up across the range. The entry level V6 increases by $2000 to $42,900 plus onroads. The flagship diesel, the most popular derivative, adds $500 to start from $58,990.
“Customers have been willing to part with $60,000 since the car was launched,” says Kia Australia boss Damien Meredith.
In his three years at the helm of Kia — after time with Hyundai and a long stint at Honda — sales have doubled.
He cites a three-pronged approach: “Great product, good dealer network and good management staff.”
“We are number eight in the marketplace. Stinger (sporty sedan) has just been launched, our product offering is fantastic, so it’s an exciting time.”
Many will struggle to spot the differences between the outgoing Sorento and the replacement but Meredith reckons the upgrade will increase the model’s sales.
New alloy wheel designs and changes to the bumpers deliver a slightly sharper appearance — and buyers certainly won’t stand out from the crowd with any outlandish colours. The choices are white, silver, metal, graphite, black, a new blue hue and white pearl.
Product planning manager Rowland Rivero says the bland choices stem from “traditionally conservative” demand — even red has been culled globally due to lack of interest.
Under the metal, Kia has gone back to the future. The 2.2-litre turbo diesel carries over while the 3.5-litre V6 is an updated version of that launched in 2012 (outgoing models use a 3.3-litre).
Kia Australia can’t explain why head office went that direction, bringing a marginal increase in fuel consumption but a significant dip in CO2 emissions.
Key tech gains include an upmarket eightinch touchscreen with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. Standard are digital radio, autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning, driver attention alert, lane keeping assist and radar cruise control.
The base model is still called an Si but the next step up is the Sport, which gains leather trim and larger 18-inch alloys.
On the next rung is the SLi with 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
Only the range-topping GT-Line variant comes with all the safety kit, including blind spot assist, 360-degree camera, lights that turn with the steering and rear cross traffic alert.
Those additional features aren’t available as a pack. Metallic paint at $595 is the sole option across the range.