The company has already started some activities to promote the 2010 Kia Sorento to the public. The all-new Sorento crossover is still a few months away, but the company has already revealed some secrets on it’s future 4×4 vehicle. A prototype of the 2010 Sorento had been shown to the British Whatcar magazine, whose editor has also got behind the wheel and made an exclusive test drive with it.
The most important news about the 2010 Sorento is it’s “set up”. Unlike the current Sorento, which is sitting on the body on frame platform, the new model adopts a car-like monoque structure, meaning that it’s ride quality has been dramatically improved.
Although the test-drive was only limited to test track, Sorento’s handling felt stiffer and less wayward compared to the current model. With an unibody platform, the towing capacity has lowered, but Kia promises Sorento will still be able to handle itself off-road and when towing.
The new Sorento has grown in size, and will offer seating for five or seven people. It will get a brand new 2,2L diesel engine, which will pack more power and higher torque. The horsepower figure for the new engine is 186 horsepower and 304 ft-lbs. of torque. The engine will be paired with the all new six speed automatic transmission.
The interior of the 2010 Kia Sorento is also said to be the whole new story. It looks more modern and nicely laid out. Higher grade materials were used inside to look more upmarket. In general, the interior is massively improved and feels much quieter, with less wind and road noise compared to the old model.
Sorento will reportedly go on sale in the third quarter of 2009 as a 2010 model with prices in UK starting at just above Ł18,000. [Source: Whatcar]
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October 16th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I am starting to have really high hopes for this car!
October 17th, 2008 at 1:42 am
That photo was taken out the window of another Kia.
October 17th, 2008 at 2:12 am
I think this is going to be REALLY nice. I hope they aim it the Murano in terms of driving dynamics.
October 17th, 2008 at 9:16 am
At least this will look better than the new Murano, hehe, that thing is ugly, from the front at least.
October 17th, 2008 at 11:24 am
I felt the same at first but overtime it [murano starts to look agressive.
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Thank Goodness they’re using a 6-speed on this one.
October 17th, 2008 at 11:27 am
himi, is KW compatible with Internet explorer 8? I was having probs with the pix loading once I downloaded this version but thanx to a compatibility feature on the IE 8, its fine for now.
October 17th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Wow!! a smaller diesel engine with a lot more grunt than the current 2.5 Litre?? It looks also the the 6 cylinder has gone also.
October 17th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I hope this is first unveiled at either Chicago or New York Auto Show(s). Not Detroit I want to see another nonproduction ready concept from them (now that I think about it, they haven’t shown a concept that didn’t look production ready since the Kue). The Sorento looks like it’s going to be great though!
October 17th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
then what was kee?
October 17th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
The Kee looked production ready to me. The Hood and doors opened up normally and the interior looked production ready unlike the Kue’s.
October 17th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
In person the Kee looked production ready as well. Kia’s display at NAIAS sucked! All cars I had seen before, and they didn’t have a bag for me! I had to get a bag from Hyundai! WTF is that Kia?
May 17th, 2009 at 8:26 am
asdsadadsa
May 17th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Hello, Very nice site. Universe help us, dont worry man.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Drove the 2.2l diesel auto today. Fantastically powerful, quiet and smooth. Solid and good finishing throughout.
November 28th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I drove one today also, slightly big for me personally. But interior lovely and and feels solid and not tank like. I am not into diesels either but the 2.2 is very quiet and has gobs of power and runs on the smell of an oily rag. I think next week i will go in and buy one. I am a bit worried about resale value, but this sucker packs a punch and is a fuel miser in the process. I had very low expectations when i drove this car out of morbid curiosity, but wow this is a lot of vehicle for the money. Also it is very car like to drive, the auto did a good job as well. I was very surprised how light the steering was, though not sure if that is good or not. This car had small little surprises like a glove box that lowers gently, bonnet has gas shocks that gently pushes up the bonnet. instead lifting the bonnet/hood yourself and fumbling with the rod to prop it up. Huge Centre consul that seems to have a weighted lid that makes it easy to open and close without it just dropping down all the time. Sun visor that that has a flap that extends out if need be. luxury and power, and a 4wd with the fuel consumption of a Suzuki swift. That is pretty dam good. Last two weeks we have driven about ten different makes and this is my favourite. Of course this is only my view of course. P.s the motor was very quiet for a diesel, driving it is dead quiet.