2020 Kia Sorento revealed, to lock horns with larger SUVs

South Koran automobile manufacturer Kia Motors has revealed the 2020 Sorento crossover sports utility vehicle (SUV) which the company has described as its ‘most high-tech car ever’. The car was slated to be launched at the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show. The event was scrapped because of the Coronavirus outbreak.

The new Sorento is 10 mm longer than the existing version and has shorter rear and front overhangs. The car is mounted on a brand new platform which will also underpin the upcoming Carnival.

The fourth-generation Kia Sorento has three rows of seats to accommodate up to seven passengers. Kia has introduced a mood lighting system inside the cabin which can also be found in the Soul. The dashboard is dominated by an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system while a 10.25-inch unit is available as an option. The infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital instrument cluster is a larger 10.25-inch unit. That aside, the car has a head-up display unit. Other features include up to seven USB charging ports, a Bose sound system, and a wireless charger.

The 2020 Kia Sorento packs in a number of active and passive safety technologies. The car gets Smart Parking Assist which debuted in the Hyundai Sonata. The new-generation Sorento has Kia’s level-2 autonomous driving technology which allows the car to steer and control speeds up to 180 kmph.

The car also gets the Kia Multi-Collision Brake System where the brakes are automatically applied once the airbags are deployed following an initial collision. The system protects occupants from the secondary side and frontal impacts. Driver-assistance features include a forward collision-avoidance system, cyclist and pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring and collision-avoid assist, active cruise control, and lane-keeping aids. 

The new-generation Sorento will be hauled by a turbocharged 2.2-litre diesel engine which produces around 200 PS maximum power and 440 Nm peak torque. The motor will be mated to an 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The car is expected to be sold in its all-wheel-drive version in the Australian market. A 3.5-litre petrol motor with front-wheel-drive will be available as an option. 

The 2020 Sorento will lock horns with the Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota Kluger, Hyundai Santa Fe and the Mazda CX-9.

Also read: 2020 Audi Q2 Edition #2 pricing and specifications revealed