JOHANNESBURG – Kia has officially launched the updated Sorento SUV in South Africa, bringing refreshed looks, upgraded tech features, and a simplified line-up without touching the powertrain.
Now on sale locally, the revamped Sorento maintains its 2.2-litre CRDI turbodiesel engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and seven-seat layout, a combination that has proven popular among families and business travellers in Eswatini and across the region.
This is the first major upgrade since the fourth-generation MQ4 model arrived five years ago. The facelift draws styling cues from Kia’s latest electric vehicle range, particularly at the front, where the SUV now wears a redesigned Tiger Nose grille, new T-shaped LED headlights, a reshaped bonnet with the Kia logo placed on top, a restyled bumper, wider skidplate, and vertically stacked air inlets.
At the rear, visual tweaks include new LED light graphics, darkened tail lamps, a repositioned Sorento badge on the left corner of the tailgate, and a revised bumper design.
Buyers in South Africa—and potentially those who might import it into Eswatini—can choose from 10 exterior colours, including standout options like Mineral Blue and Aurora Black Pearl. All models ride on 20-inch alloy wheels as standard.
Inside the cabin, Kia has fitted all variants with dual 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment system and instrument panel, updated climate and audio controls, a new gear shifter, premium materials, L-shaped air vents, a black roof lining, and a refreshed steering wheel design featuring the new Kia badge.
The local line-up now consists of three models after the all-wheel-drive EX+ was dropped. The range starts with the front-wheel-drive EX+, followed by the all-wheel-drive SX and the flagship SXL.
All three versions come with seven seats and a long list of features. The EX+ includes a panoramic sunroof, wireless smartphone mirroring, dual-zone climate control, electric folding mirrors, roof rails, a six-speaker sound system, push-button start, and a multifunction leather steering wheel. Safety features include seven airbags, cruise control, and a reverse camera.
The SX builds on this with ventilated and electrically adjustable front seats, rear window blinds, rain-sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel, a powered tailgate, and more advanced driver assistance systems such as blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Topping the range, the SXL is fitted with a 12-speaker Bose sound system, a head-up display, surround-view cameras, ambient lighting, and reverse automatic braking.
All three models use the same 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine producing 148kW and 440Nm. The drivetrain setup remains unchanged, with power going through an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Kia is offering the new Sorento with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and a six-year/90 000km service plan. Pricing in South Africa starts at R999,995 for the EX+, R1,199,995 for the SX AWD, and R1,299,995 for the fully loaded SXL AWD.
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