The highly anticipated 2021 Kia Sorento seven-seat SUV has arrived at Great Western Kia.
According to preliminary pricing, the 2021 Kia Sorento range will increase by up to $3880 depending on the model.
However, more detailed information has since been published on the Kia Australia website. It shows pricing for the 2021 Kia Sorento seven-seat family SUV across all four model grades: S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line.
Each model is available with a choice of two engines: a carryover 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V6 producing 200kW and 332Nm, or a revised version of the previous 2.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel developing 148kW and 440Nm.
Both powertrains are mated to eight-speed automatic transmissions as standard, with the petrol featuring a traditional torque-converter type unit and the diesel scoring a more-efficient dual-clutch gearbox.
Petrol models are front-wheel-drive only, while diesel variants send power to all four wheels. Unlike main rival Toyota and its upcoming 2021 Kluger seven-seater, no hybrid powertrain will be offered with the new Kia Sorento in Australia at launch, even though a petrol-electric option is available in the US.
Opening the local Sorento range is the ‘S’ variant, priced from $47,290 drive-away with the petrol V6 or $51,290 drive-away with the four-cylinder diesel.
It’s worth noting the aforementioned prices form part of Kia’s launch drive-away offer, and are valid for private buyers only.
Standard equipment from the Sorento S includes an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights and fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels and a full-size spare wheel – the latter of which is offered across the range, regardless of wheel size, a rarity in the class but a welcome inclusion given Australia's vast distances.
The new Kia Sorento will be among the first cars on sale locally with a ‘centre’ airbag between the front seats – a first for the segment and one of eight airbags included.
There’s also autonomous emergency braking with support for oncoming vehicles in intersections, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and ‘Multi Collision Brake’ technology that automatically maintains brake pressure after airbags are deployed in an accident to prevent a potential secondary impact.
Sitting above the S in the Sorento range is the Sport, priced from $49,990 drive-away for the petrol or $52,990 drive-away for the diesel.
Equipment additions over the S include a larger 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with smartphone mirroring, 18-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation with 10 years of free map updates, dual-zone climate control, automatic window defogger, tyre pressure monitoring and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with two-way adjustable lumbar support.
Other standard equipment additions include 20-inch dark chrome alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 8-inch head-up display, quilted Nappa leather trim, panoramic sunroof, a gear selector dial (as opposed to a traditional lever), heated and ventilated front seats, heated back seats, a Bose premium sound system and rear occupant alert.
Exclusive safety features to the range-topping Sorento GT-Line include low-speed autonomous braking at crawling carpark-like speeds, blind-spot cameras in the instrument cluster and a feature known as Safe Exit Assist, preventing rear passengers opening their doors if a cyclist, car or other hazard is approaching.
