| Starting price: | Starting from 24,900 USD (Approx. 91,461 AED) |
| Engine volume: | 2.0 litre turbocharged, 2.4 litre and 3.3 litre |
| Cylinders: | 4 and 6 |
| Torque: | 241 Nm to 353 Nm |
| Horsepower: | 185 hp to 290 hp |
| 0 to 100 km/h: | 9+ sec (estimated for inline 4) |
| Maximum speed: | 201 km/h (estimated for inline 4) |
SUV’s are the it thing to drive at the moment, they are safe, can carry up to 8 passengers and haul quite a load, however some can be rather pricey for what they are, especially for the entry-level market. Car manufacturers are always looking at getting into this market with sporty and relatively inexpensive entry level crossover SUV’s which is what KIA is offering with their Sorento.
Debuting way back in 2002, the Kia Sorento received a few face lifts until the introduction of the second generation in 2010 when it made the transition from standard SUV to crossover SUV and received a whole load of upgrades and modifications. With the third generation, it’s been given another overhaul once again to bring it into the future.
Riding on a longer wheelbase extended by 79mm bringing a up a total length of 2779mm, new sheet metal wraps itself around the new vehicle frame, more compact headlights have been added with the choice of adding LED’s and a new front grille has been slapped on. Lower down fog lamps can be exchanged from bulb to LED and the overall width of the vehicle has been widened.
Numerous new and previously used safety features will be implemented including a stronger body made from 53% high strength steel, advanced airbag system with airbags located all around the interior, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) offering more precise handling, Brake Assist System (BAS), ABS and Hill-Starts Assist Control (HSC) to help out on inclines. All these options and more are included in all trim levels which isn’t a common practice among car manufacturers, way to go KIA!
Eight trims will be available to choose from starting with L, LX, LX V6, EX, EX V6, SX V6 Limited and the highest being Limited V6. Four rims styles will be available for all trim levels with sizes ranging from 17 inch to 19 inch.
Online there are some awesome optional features including a tablet holder, wireless phone charging, a touch-up paint pen for small scratches, remote start, an 8.3 touch screen navigation system and lots more. No doubt these will be available via dealerships too.
Rivals on the road when the Sorento rides on asphalt are Toyota’s Rav 4 and Honda’s CRV, here’s a comparison of the three’s basic models. Note Toyota and Honda have yet to release specs for their 2016 models except for a Hybrid Rav 4 is joining the lineup.
| Cars | Kia Sorento | Toyota Rav 4 (2015) | Honda CRV (2015) |
| Engine volume: | 2.2 Litre Petrol/Inline 4 | 2.5 Litre petrol/Inline 4 | 2.4 Litre petrol/Inline 4 |
| Horsepower: | 185 hp | 176 hp | 185 hp |
| Torque: | 241 Nm | 233 Nm | 245 Nm |
| Maximum speed: | 201 km/h | 185 km/h | 188 km/h |
| 0 to 100 km/h: | 9+ Seconds | 9 seconds | 7.7 seconds |
| Other engines | 6 Cylinder | Hybrid | No |
| Starting price ($) | 24,900 USD | 23,680 USD | 23,455 USD |
Three engine choice will be available, two inline four-cylinder engines: a 2.0 litre turbocharged rated at 240 horsepower and 353 Nm of torque and a 2.4 Litre petrol engine with 185 horsepower and 241 Nm of torque. The third option available is a 3.3 litre V6 with 290 horsepower and 342 Nm of torque. Standard drivetrain will be front-wheel drive with all except the L trim level having the option of All-Wheel Drive.
2016 Kia Sorento’s are on sale already, check out new Kia Sorento and used Kia Sorento for sale in Dubai listings available on dubicars.com.
