Kia Malaysia recently introduced the facelifted Kia
Sorento, which is being offered in two variants – 2.4 EX at RM169,888
(on-the-road without insurance) and 2.2D SX at RM 179,888.
Styling revisions on the exterior include a new
shape for the brand’s signature “tiger nose,” as well as the air intakes. In
terms of lighting elements, there are standard adaptive LED headlamps, while
the fog lamps adopt the “ice cube” LED look.
Elsewhere, the taillights have new graphics within
them and the new rear bumper features fake vents below the fog lamps. The EX
variant rides on new tone-tone alloy wheels that measure 18 inches instead of
the 19-inch units on the SX. Focusing on the interior, passengers are greeted by a new four-spoke
steering wheel, revised seven-inch instrument display and climate control
switchgear, and additional soft-touch and gloss black trim.
The EX’s equipment list is largely similar to the
SX, with items like keyless entry and start, automatic lights and wipers,
dual-zone climate control with rear vents and third-row temperature control,
eight-way powered front seats, touchscreen infotainment system, hands-free powered
tailgate, Qi wireless smartphone charging, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
support.
Safety-wise, both models come with six airbags, ABS
with EBD and brake assist, hill start assist, hill descent control, ISOFIX
second-row child seat anchors, a tyre pressure monitoring system, a reverse
camera and front and rear parking sensors.
Things differ under the bonnet, as the Sorento EX
packs the familiar 2.4 litre Theta II MPI petrol four-cylinder producing 172 PS
at 6,000 rpm and 225 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. A six-speed automatic is paired
with the engine, along with an on-demand all-wheel drive system. Only the diesel-powered 2.2D SX
gets the new eight-speed auto unit, and its 2.2 litre R turbodiesel with
start/stop making 200 PS at 3,800 rpm and 442 Nm from 1,750 to 2,750 rpm.
