The new Kia Sorento has been spied testing
in U.S.-spec by CarScoops reader Gor. While Kia unveiled the new Sorento back
in March, it is still working on the U.S. model and was spied putting this
heavily camouflaged prototype to the test in Yosemite Valley, California.
Although car manufacturers usually put body cladding like this to hide the
identity of their forthcoming models, the U.S.-spec Sorento should look
identical to those sold in other markets aside from some trimmings.
With that in mind, the SUV has a tough new
look that includes Kia’s tiger nose grille up front alongside new headlights
with integrated ‘tiger eye’ LED daytime running lights. It looks very
purposeful and is a far cry from the previous-generation Sorento. The significant
styling modifications continue down the sides and rear with thick D-pillars,
sharper body lines, and split vertical taillights. All of these design details
are hidden on this prototype.
We know of at least two powertrains that
will be available in the United States. The first will be Kia’s new Smartstream
hybrid setup that features a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol four-cylinder that
works alongside a 44.2 kW electric motor and a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion polymer
battery pack. It pumps out a total of 227 hp and 350 Nm of torque
and is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. For those after a little
more grunt, Kia will also sell the Sorento with a 2.5-liter T-GDi engine
producing 277 hp and 421 Nm of torque and mated to an eight-speed
dual-clutch transmission.
In other markets, such as Australia and
Europe, the 2021 Kia Sorento is also available with a 2.2-liter four-cylinder
Smartstream diesel with 198 hp and 440 Nm of torque. This engine
also operates alongside an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Kia will build the new Sorento at its
Hwasung manufacturing facility in Korea and its production plant in Georgia,
USA. It remains unclear when we will see it unveiled for the U.S. market but an
online debut should happen before the end of the year.
