Kia Sorento 2022

The fourth-generation Kia Sorento was launched alongside Kia Philippines' rebrand, which featured a new logo and a new design language for the South Korean marque's showrooms and interior design. Also, a new variant was introduced beside the Kia Sorento, the Kia Stonic Style Edition. Two variants of the Sorento were introduced to the market on November 8, 2021, which include the EX and SX.  

The Sorento shares the same platform as the Kia Grand Carnival. As a midsize crossover, the Sorento features a unibody chassis construction which is more agreeable than the traditional ladder-on-frame construction method employed by SUVs. In the front, the suspension setup is comprised of a MacPherson strut with a stabilizer for extra rigidity. For the rear, the Sorento uses a multi-link system to improve vehicle stability even while turning. The crossover rolls on a set of 19-inch alloy wheels for all variants. Disc brakes can be found on all four corners, and the vehicle boasts a ground clearance of 176 mm. 

Kia has outfitted this midsize crossover with a 2.2-liter diesel engine that produces 197 hp and 441 Nm of torque, which is ample output from an engine of its size. The motor also features variable geometry turbo technology to ensure smooth output and smooth operation even at low RPMs. Power is fed to an 8-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic and drives the front wheels for all variants. No all-wheel-drive variant has been introduced to the Philippine market. 

Driving the 2019 Kia Sorento is a breeze as the midsize crossover comes with light steering and a powerful diesel motor that makes the vehicle easy to maneuver and to get going from a stop. Despite its size, the vehicle itself is manageable and easy to get used to. More ideal for long stretches of highway rather than the inner city the Kia Sorento does well to put down all the power from its 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine. The engine is so well tuned that without cruise control on you will quickly find yourself going above the speed limit if you choose to let your right foot do all the work. The diesel motor just pulls and pulls and it does it effortlessly and quietly. 

Braking feel is something a new owner for the Kia Sorento should get used to. The initial bite of the brakes isn't a strong as its counterparts, however, the deeper your push the stronger the biting force gets. It isn't as sudden as its other rivals in the segment but the brakes on the Sorento will get you to a stop safely. 

When it comes to spirited or off-road driving body roll is present in the vehicle, however, the suspension does a great job at making the ride less jarring. Suspension dampening is on point with the Kia Sorento as it takes to bumps easily without skipping a beat. Its off-road manners are pretty pliant as the all-wheel-drive system does a great job of giving the crossover traction even on muddy terrain. Thanks to its AWD display found in the gauge cluster you can easily see what the tires are doing and where the vehicle is directing its power to. Overall this makes the Kia Sorento an easy yet powerful vehicle to drive on the road and off it for light trails.

The infotainment in the Sorento is an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto serving as the centerpiece in the cabin. The system outputs to a 6-speaker audio system that is comprised of four woofers and two tweeters. Drivers can charge their phones without the use of a USB cable, thanks to the built-in Qi-Wireless charging pad in the cabin. Cruise control is standard across the lineup, as are front and rear parking sensors. The rear camera is available for the EX variant, however, a new 360-degree Surround View Monitor is standard for the top-of-the-line SX variant, and is complemented by other systems like Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. For the instrument cluster, the top-of-the-line variant will receive a 12.3 TFT LCD screen that comes integrates the speedometer, tachometer, rheostat, trip computer, and multi-function display all in one bright package. Going a variant lower, you will receive the standard instrument panel with a 4.2 LCD screen flanked by two gauges. Other convenience features include a power tailgate for the ease of loading cargo to the rear and a smart key entry system with push-start functionality. 

Kia's updated tiger-nose grille features prominently on the front of the car. This piece is flanked by two LED projector headlamps that form to the sides of the grille. All variants of the Sorento will now come with LED headlights that use a multi-reflector array and LED daytime running lamps, LED fog lamps, and an LED taillamp array is standard for the entire lineup. Also standard across the lineup is the 19-inch alloy wheel size, as is the automatic light control, rain-sensing wipers, and all other trim pieces between the two variants. 

The interior of the Sorento is large. For a crossover of its size, it features more than enough space for your average individual and can seat up to 7 people at once. The top of the line model gets leather upholstery and adds power seats along with a push-start button and smart key entry. Middle-row passengers also have their own rear aircon vents, which complement the front's automatic system. The rear of the Sorento houses two more seats, which can be folded down to reveal a flat cargo area. The second-row seats can also be folded and it comes with a 40:20:40 configuration, which also folds flat, allowing you to maximize the space of the rear. For convenience, the rear cargo area can be accessed using a power tailgate, which is standard throughout the lineup. Metallic and wood trims dominate the trim pieces of the interior, and there are at least four USB ports present for charging, and more in the upper SX trim level. One main difference between the two variants would be the addition of an electronic parking brake with auto-hold functionality, and a foot brake—with the higher SX trim receiving the electronic parking brake as standard.