2021 Kia Sorento engine specifications revealed, Hybrid not coming to Australia

The 2021 Kia Sorento seems to be well set to make a debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show next month. We already got a glimpse of the updated car via the spy shots that did rounds on the internet. However, we now know the specifications that the car would bear under the hood.

According to the source (The Korean Car Blog), the 4th generation Kia Sorento will be available in both petrol and diesel engine options, along with choices on the drivetrain - front-wheel or all-wheel-drive. There will also be a hybrid variant that would combine an electric motor with a turbocharged engine. This variant will get a 6-speed automatic gearbox, but would not make it to the Australian market as it is listed as a left-hand driven model.

The variants of the new Sorento that might make it to the Australian market are a 2.5-litre gas and 2.2-litre diesel. The  Theta-III 2.5-litre engine will replace the bigger 3.5-litre V6 trim. This is a new 4-cylinder turbo engine and will get a 6-speed auto gearbox.

As for the diesel trim, the revealed specification sheet describes a NEW R 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine mated to an 8-speed DCT (dual-clutch) transmission. This engine could be an updated form of the R-line of powertrains. There could also be a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder engine that would be mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Hopping for the turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine has become a trend for Kia as it would be discontinuing the 3.5-litre V6 on the Carnival too. And the good news is that the sheet lists the new engines to have AWD in the right-have-drive form, which means they would be available in the local market too.

Get set to take an official glimpse of the 2021 Kia Sorento as it makes it debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The auto show is slated to begin from the 5th of March.

Also read: 2020 Hyundai i30 teased ahead of Geneva Auto Show debut