Perfect for the family, the all-new 2023 Kia Sorento is now in Malaysia, redesigned to be more tough-looking and practical.

Inside and out, it offers a build with great attention to detail and functionality, providing an uber comfortable ride.

Locally-assembled (CKD), Kia’s fourth-generation D-segment SUV comes in three variants, with two seating and engine configurations.

The 2.5L 7-Seater 2WD (base-range) tags at MYR 211,498, the 2.5L 6-Seater AWD (mid-range) at MYR 235,498, and the 2.2D 6-Seater AWD (top-range) at MYR 255,228.

Prices are on-the-road, excluding insurance, and include a five-year/100,000 KM manufacturer warranty and a five-year/100,000 KM free scheduled maintenance.

Five exterior colours are available. Astra Blue, Sonic Silver, Meteor Grey, Jet Black and Snowflake White Pearl.

Weighing in at 1,719 KG (2.5L 7-Seater 2WD), 1,771 KG (2.5L 6-Seater AWD), and 1,856 KG (2.2D 6-Seater AWD), the new Sorento stands at 4,810 MM long, 1,900 MM wide, 1,695 MM (2.5L 7-Seater 2WD), and 1,700 MM (2.5L 6-Seater AWD, 2.2D 6-Seater AWD) tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,815 MM.

Exuding an overall premium outlook, the short over-hanged front-end can be seen with sharp contours, accompanied by bold styling elements.

It features Kia’s full width ‘tiger nose’ grille with interlocking U-shaped inserts, and a wide lower intake with wing-shaped air curtains at the bumper corners.

Getting a total redone, the minimalist rear-end adds abundant to the whole premium appeal with a new shape and layout.

Also sporting a short overhang, chiselled contours adorn the view, primarily the middle of the tailgate. A large black bumper insert with fake vents completes the design.

Boxy and sharp, the head lamps are sporty and integrated together with the grille’s frame, creating a one-piece look. Paired to them is a set of LED fog lamps. 

They are dual LED projector units, featuring Kia’s ‘tiger eyeline’ LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL). They also come with an automatic on/off function.

Redone, the tail lamps are new, simple and blocky. Vertically positioned and accompanied by other trimmings, they fit the brawny rear layout nicely. 

They feature LED combination units, and just like the front, they are paired to a set of LED fog lamps.

The side mirrors are power-adjustable and -folding, with signal indicators and heating function. The 2.5L 6-Seater AWD and 2.2D 6-Seater AWD add on blind-spot indicators.

Riding on sportily designed, star-like-spoke alloy rims, the 2.5L 7-Seater 2WD is fitted with a set of 18-Inches, wrapped in 235/60 R18 tyres. 

Meanwhile, the 2.5L 6-Seater AWD and 2.2D 6-Seater AWD are fitted with a set of 19-Inches, in 235/55 R19 tyres.

The new Sorento gets a rehashed dashboard. A clean and striking layout, it features premium quality materials, such as silver trims and embossed wood-effect surfaces.

Commanding the layout is the screen setup, which spans across three quarters of the black and silver themed dash.

Overall, the cockpit is well designed. All the buttons and other accessibilities are purposefully arranged, driver-centric and user-friendly.

The 2.5L 7-Seater 2WD features a 4.2-Inch Multi-Info Display (MID) with analogue dials instrument cluster, while the 2.5L 6-Seater AWD and 2.2D 6-Seater AWD, upgrade to a 12.3-Inch TFT LCD supervision cluster with a Head-Up Display (HUD).

All-black, high-quality and comfortable, the seats are in fabric upholstery for the 2.5L 7-Seater 2WD, and in full leather for the 2.5L 6-Seater AWD and 2.2D 6-Seater AWD.

Two seating setups available. The 2.5L 7-Seater 2WD has a 2-3-2 layout, where the second row features a bench seat with a 60:40 split-fold and remote folding function, and a 50:50 split-fold third row.

The 2.5L 6-Seater AWD and 2.2D 6-Seater AWD get a 2-2-2 layout instead, where the second row consists of two individual seats (captain seats) with remote folding function, and a 50:50 split-fold third row.

Both seating setups come with an eight-way power adjustment for the front seats, with a two-way lumbar support for the driver.

The three-spoke leather steering wheel comes with multi-switches (Bluetooth, Audio, MID, Drive Mode), and tilt and telescopic adjustments. The 2.2D 6-Seater AWD, adds on paddle shifters. 

It has numerous storage areas including large sized door pockets, seatback pockets, compartmentalised storage areas and a cavern storage space in the centre console, and a decent-sized glove box.

There are multiple cup holders located all around the cabin.

Multiple power outlets available. E.g., six USB-C charging ports and two 12-V power sockets placed accordingly in each row, and a Qi wireless charging pad placed in the centre console. 

Accessing its Smart Power Tailgate leads to a very large boot space behind the third-row seats. Of which are foldable, offering even more space, enough for a short getaway or a long holiday.

The new Sorento features the following ADAS suite. Standard for all variants, included is the High Beam Assist (HBA), Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) (2.5L 6-Seater AWD and 2.2D 6-Seater AWD), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) with Line and Road, Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Junction Turning, Lane Following Assist (LFA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go, and Safe Exit Assist (SEA).

Passive safety standard for all variants includes six airbags (front driver and passenger, front sides, front to rear curtain), seatbelt (anchors, reminders, pre-tensioners), ISOFIX (anchors, top tethers), parking sensors (4 front, 4 rear), Surround View Monitor (SVM) (2.5L 6-Seater AWD and 2.2D 6-Seater AWD), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Multi-Collision Brake (MCB), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Downhill Brake Control (DBC), Rear Occupant Alert (ROA), and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

All three variants feature a 10.25-Inch capacitive touchscreen. The system supports voice recognition, USB, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The 2.5L 7-Seater 2WD features a standard speaker setup, while the 2.5L 6-Seater AWD and 2.2D 6-Seater AWD get a 12-speaker Bose sound system.

The new Sorento is offered with two engines. A petrol setup for the 2.5L 7-Seater 2WD and 2.5L 6-Seater AWD variants, and a diesel setup for the 2.2D 6-Seater AWD.

Its 2.5-Litre G4KM, Smartstream Multi Port Injection (MPi), in-line four-cylinder, DOHC petrol engine, produces 177 HP at 6,000 RPM and 232 NM of torque at 4,000 RPM.

Whereas, its 2.2-Litre D4HE, Smartstream Turbo, Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDi), in-line four-cylinder, DOHC diesel engine, produces 199 HP at 3,800 RPM and 440 NM at 1,750 to 2,750 RPM.

Fitted is a six-speed automatic transmission (2.5L 7-Seater 2WD, 2.5L 6-Seater AWD), and an eight-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with paddle shifters (2.2D 6-Seater AWD).

The 2.5L 7-Seater 2WD is front-wheel-drive powered, while the 2.5L 6-Seater AWD and 2.2D 6-Seater AWD are all-wheel-drive powered.

Top speed reaches 195 KM/H (2.5L 7-Seater 2WD, 2.5L 6-Seater AWD), and 205 KM/H (2.2D 6-Seater AWD).

It has a fuel tank capacity of 67-Litres.

The new Sorento comes with Auto On/Off headlamps, rain sensing with intermittent function windshield wipers, Smart Key with Push Start Button, steering wheel (multi-function, tilt, telescopic), wireless charging pad, Smart Power Tailgate, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), auto-dimming rear-view mirror, dual-zone full-auto front air-conditioning, an eight-way power adjustment front seats (driver two-way lumbar), captain seats, remote folding function (second, third row seats), rear sunshade (second row), dual-powered sunroof with tilting/sliding safety function, interior lighting (ambient, map, cabin, boot), front and rear parking sensors, and 360-degree camera.

There are rear air-conditioning vents with manual controls, located in the second- and third- row seats.

It is very spacious and extremely comfortable, safe and suitable for a daily driver. Overall, the ride quality is firm, agile and very well-balanced. It has a smooth engine power and transmission delivery. 

Good sound insulation, covering all the NVH aspects. The cabin experience is very refined and peaceful.