FAMILY SUVs GO HIGH-TECH
Kia’s new Sorento and Niro SUVs are beating some premium brands for technology and EV range
Abrace of new SUVs from Kia are showcasing a broad range of technological innovations — some of them giving the Korean carmaker one-up on premium brands.
The all-new Sorento just launched in New Zealand is upping the ante substantially, with new technology under the bonnet and in the cabin.
The 2.2-litre “Smartstream” diesel engine makes its debut in the Sorento, matched to an eightspeed wet double-clutch transmission that Kia claims is a first for the segment, matching the efficiency and performance of a DCT with the smoother shifting of a conventional automatic.
In the top-specification model, the gear lever is an electronic “E-Shift Dial”.
Inside, the Sorento dashboard is digital-centric, with most models having a 10.25in touchscreen infotainment system, 12.3in highres instrument cluster and 8.5in head-up display.
Safety equipment has advanced, including a new airbag design located in the left-hand side of the driver’s seat to help separate driver and front occupant in the event of a side impact.
The cabin is ready for digital life with seven USB connections: two up front, three in the second row (including one in the back of the centre console) and another two for the third row.
There’s a bit of sci-fi atmosphere in the interior with Kia’s Mood Lighting system, which lets users tailor the cabin with one of seven pre-selected colours or further customisation from up to 64 different hues.
The Sorento also features Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA), which enables the driver to manoeuvre the vehicle in and out of a tight space (in a straight line) with nobody inside the car, using the key fob.
RSPA applies the brakes automatically if it detects another vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist in the path of the vehicle.
Other assistance systems include Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM) and a new Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA) system, which can recognise vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians; it also detects oncoming traffic when making a turn at a junction.
The BVM also incorporates a high-resolution video feed on either side of the instrument cluster if the driver indicates to change lanes when another vehicle is hidden in the blind spot. The video briefly takes the place of either the speedometer or tachometer display (although speed is still shown).
The images come from wideangle cameras fitted to the exterior rear-vision mirrors, hidden in the housing.
The Sorento also features Safe Exit Assist (SEA), which prevents the rear doors from being opened if the sensors detect a vehicle or hazard approaching from behind.
Kia NZ has also announced a number of technology upgrades to its Niro, which it claims is the first SUV to be designed from the ground up as an electrified vehicle.
The Kiwi range has been doubled, with five Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) models, and three pure-electric BEVs.
Along with some minor styling upgrades, the original entry EX version has been joined by midrange SX and upmarket Premium grades across all three electrified powertrains.
Even the EX now has a large 8in touchscreen and the SX/Premium versions get a 10.25in display.
The Niro HEV models get Kia’s Smart Cruise Control with stop and go functionality, which joins the existing safety suite of autonomous braking, lane-keep assistance, driver attention warning, automatic high-beam, blind-spot monitor and intelligent speed limit warning. The SX and Premium also have rear crosstraffic alert.
The PHEV models have gained a larger 8.9kWh battery to improve performance, with bigger rear brakes on all models.
Kia NZ has now standardised the larger 64kWh battery on the BEV model, which boasts one of the most impressive ranges on the market at 455km. It can also be charged at up to 100kW on a hyper charger, or around twice as fast as the industry standard.