Kia Sorento All-new large SUV gets hybrid and plug-in hybrid power options for the rst time
New seven-seat large SUV offers the option of hybrid power for the rst time On sale Autumn Price from £33,000 (est)
WHETHER YOU’RE PICKING up a new car or looking to watch an Oscar-winning movie, now is a good time to go Korean. One of the country’s latest exports is the new Kia Sorento, and if the e-niro electric SUV and Picanto city car before it are any indication, it’ll be a strong contender for leadership in the large SUV market.
As well as having strikingly refreshed looks, the Sorento is based on all-new underpinnings, so it should be better to drive than before.the new model is just 3.5cm longer than its predecessor, but interior space promises to be signi cantly increased, notably in the second row of seats, where knee room grows by up to 9cm.
As with the outgoing model, UK cars will come with seven seats as standard and middle-row seats that slide and recline. with the rearmost seats folded away and the middle row pushed all the way forwards, 910 litres of space is available in the boot – vastly more than what you’ll nd in rivals.
At launch, the Sorento will be available with either a 199bhp 2.2-litre diesel or a 227bhp petrol-electric hybrid option, which mates a 1.6-litre petrol engine to a 59bhp electric motor and a tiny, 1.5kwh battery. A plug-in hybrid option will follow shortly afterwards, with a combined 261bhp on offer from the petrol engine and electric motor. a 16.6kwh battery should give an electric-only range of 35-40 miles.the plug-in hybrid is four-wheel drive only, while other versions offer a choice of front or four-wheel drive, although it isn’t yet clear whether both options will be available in the UK.
Inside, the Sorento now features a 10.25in infotainment touchscreen, linked to a digital instrument panel. among the upgraded driver aids on offer in the Sorento are an advanced adaptive cruise control system, a remote parking function using the key fob, parking sensors that can automatically brake the car before it hits something, and blindspot monitors that use cameras to project images of what’s alongside the car onto the dashboard. Kia is also tting an innovative front central airbag that can cut down on injuries in a side-on collision.
Prices are expected to rise by around 10% compared with those of the existing Sorento, suggesting a starting price of £33,000.