Sharper and more aerodynamic styling to the 2013 Sorento R includes LED daytime running lights, part of a new headlamp cluster that angles in towards the more aggressive tiger nose grille and new front bumper, which contains vertical-axis fog lights. There’s also a new tailgate with LED rear combination lamps, new rear bumper and an expanded range of wheels that include larger diameter (19-inch) alloys.
Built on a new platform, major upgrades include a stronger, yet lighter re-engineered bodyshell, enhanced powertrain for improved fuel economy with lower emissions and revised suspension for a smoother ride, sharper handling and greater refinement.
“The changes have turned what was an extremely good vehicle into an extraordinary one,” says Todd McDonald, general manager of Kia Motors New Zealand.
“The best way to appreciate the new Sorento R is to take it for a long drive on twisting back-country roads – the ride, handling and road-holding have been transformed. It’s engaging and entertaining in a very sophisticated way.”
The 2013 Sorento R range includes 2.4L petrol and 2.2L diesel in urban and AWD in various specification levels all with three rows of seating for seven occupants and pricing starting from $46,490 + ORC, a reduction of $500, in spite of higher equipment levels and an all-new chassis.
Kia is also introducing a new top-of-the range model to head the line-up – the Sorento R Premium, which comes with a full luxury package, including a two-part panoramic sunroof and powered blind that runs almost the length of the roof, ventilated front seats and new adaptive headlights that automatically point in the same direction as the vehicle resulting in improved driver visibility at night. For the first time in a Kia, there is also the new ‘smart park assist’ function that automatically parallel parks the vehicle, hands free (on Limited and Premium only).
The most important feature of the latest Sorento R is the all-new platform, which has increased torsional rigidity in the body by 18%, using more high tensile steel than most vehicles in this class. Key changes to the suspension system, including brand new sub-frames, larger bushes, high performance dampers and the introduction of a motor driven power steering system (MDPS) with stronger mountings, have led to a more sophisticated and balanced mix of ride, handling and road holding. The ride height has also been lowered 10mm to further improve on-road handling.
Although the handling bias has shifted towards on-road motoring, the latest model is still a capable off-road performer when fitted with Kia’s full-time all-wheel-drive system that distributes drive to wheels with more traction when it senses slippage. The front and rear axles can also be locked 50:50 to enhance traction up to 30km/h. Approach angle is 19.7-degrees, departure angle 22.4-degrees and ramp-over angle is 17.1-degrees.
The new platform delivers another bonus: more legroom for the second and third row passengers – up 30mm and 9mm respectively, due to a reshaped floor.
Second and third row seats can be folded to provide 2052L of cargo carrying capacity.
Passengers will also notice a quieter cabin.
