2015 Kia Sorento – official photos of the third-gen SUV

kia sorento new 1

We now have the very first official pictures of the 2015 Kia Sorento, to supplant the various renderings we’ve had of the third-generation Korean SUV. You’d expect new Kias – especially large ones – to look rather bold, and this one doesn’t disappoint.

It’s fresh and flash at the same time, incorporating a super-sized “tiger nose” grille with a three-dimensional diamond pattern up front that neatly flow into the slim, swept-back headlamps. The rear appears simple but sophisticated, while the lower roofline is paired to a higher beltline for dramatic effect.

Against the measuring tape, the 2015 model is now 95 mm longer than before at 4,780 mm, but 15 mm lower at 1,685 mm tall. The wheelbase has been stretched too, to 2,780 mm (an increase of 80 mm), so there will be more space for all three rows.

kia sorento new 2

Kia claims that the new model carries elements of the Cross GT concept from the 2013 Chicago Auto Show, but truth be told, it has more in common with the already-distinctive second-generation Sorento XM (in separate gallery below). The long bonnet and wide D-pillars are carried over intact.

We don’t have any real photos of the interior just yet, so the single official sketch of the dashboard released last week will have to do for now.

“Completely redesigned and re-engineered,” Kia says the new Sorento will have a host of “new convenience and safety technologies, as well as enhanced space, driving comfort and handling response.” It will be shown in full in Korea later this month, and make its global motor show premiere at the 2014 Paris Motor Show in October.

2015 Kia Sorento

2012-2014 Kia Sorento

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Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • tricycle on Aug 11, 2014 at 11:38 am

    dull design. santa fe looks better.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 36
    • Same L0rrr on Aug 11, 2014 at 12:14 pm

      As long as it is not kimchi, it will have RV.

      As long as it is not Proton, it will have build quality.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 78
      • UTK moving backward on Aug 11, 2014 at 3:23 pm

        As long as it is not UMW toyota, it will have new technology & safer specs.

        Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 51 Thumb down 1
        • Same L0rrr on Aug 11, 2014 at 4:19 pm

          Toyota has new technologies and safe specs, check out IIHS rating.

          Sorry if you can’t afford Toyota advance technologies.

          Because of PROTECTION for PROTON, all Malaysians have to pay so much more for Toyota/Honda/BMW/Mercedes…

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 41
          • samlorstpd on Aug 11, 2014 at 10:10 pm

            Vios got VSC? Picanto much cheaper got ESC. Most sold here are vios, but why no VSC ?

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 0
          • kangkong on Aug 11, 2014 at 10:30 pm

            No doubt Toyota has safety features and new technology but not in Malaysia by UMW.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 0
  • drCooper on Aug 11, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    I see it has Mitsu ASX silhouette, but this one looks more manly.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 1
    • rifle on Aug 11, 2014 at 2:15 pm

      For me, to the front, I saw volvo-ish face with fiesta-ish swept-back headlights, while at the back, it reminds me of the current vw design especially the tail-lights LED details

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
      • drCooper on Aug 11, 2014 at 8:46 pm

        I strongly believe there are reason why most car nowadays try to imitate volvo’s face especially the fenders..mostly to comply on IIHS new small overlap crash test..even 2009 volvo model survived that 2012 format test

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Hyundai KIA aka Junk on Aug 11, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    BMW wannabe…lol

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 39
  • shawal on Aug 11, 2014 at 12:10 pm

    Rather conservative….but more sohisticated.
    Current facelifted one looks better….
    Maybe kia is aiming for a higher perceived interior quality rather than style…like the latest sonata

    Kia malaysia must keep the current specs and price (hopefully)…but add in
    Two front seats from the optims with ventilation..
    Satnav…
    And a turbo engine under the hood…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • Very conservative design. Santa Fe looks better..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 12
  • WooGoo on Aug 11, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    Looks very much like the old one. Nothing big deal.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 11
  • nabill (Member) on Aug 11, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    Front looks like da 2013 ssangyong actyon

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 5
  • think on Aug 11, 2014 at 12:36 pm

    d current generation of kia cars looks superbly designed when compared to hyundai’s..but except this one..d sorento looks dated ..d previous headlights looks better…d hyundai sante fe has a great design for sure in that segment..more importantly it has d superior diesel engine

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
    • drCooper on Aug 11, 2014 at 1:11 pm

      I think there are reason for the headlight shape that’s attributes to the whole fender design ..currently Sorento failed miserably on IIHS small overlap crash test..hopes this time it got ‘GOOD’

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Aug 11, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    disappointed

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 4
  • cloudstrife07 on Aug 11, 2014 at 1:03 pm

    This Sorento looks like it’s all grown-up.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • drCooper on Aug 11, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    I hope KIA won’t just carried along it’s old 6 AT…it’s time bring on the new 7 or 8 speeders !

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • AVH (Member) on Aug 11, 2014 at 1:13 pm

    And the all new 2016 facelifted Volvo XC60 losses the traditional belt grill of all Volvo….signi…
    .
    Hang On….
    It dosent seem to be an awful lot of improvement over the last, Looks alot more messy with the conected grill-headlights ala BMW X5. Not much of a styling departure but rather an update. Still good looking but not wow looking

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 4
  • kelvin on Aug 11, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    Isn’t the front grille from jaguar XF?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • Gajen on Aug 11, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    Looks like an american suv. i prefer the current pre facelift design.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • gaviny on Aug 11, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    hey guys i have a korean jaggggggggggggg

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • The new Sorento rear light is a VW passsat wanabe…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • daniel on Aug 11, 2014 at 2:45 pm

    is it just me or the front really looks Vovlo-ish?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Maserati(Official) on Aug 11, 2014 at 3:30 pm

    knew it was going to be rubbish before they launch the model

    keep kimchis away from our roads! they are a hazard with frequent breakdowns

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 19
  • Cari Ganti on Aug 12, 2014 at 1:01 pm

    Vios, Camry and Corolla Altis in Malaysia are NOT Toyota cars. They are UMW products with permission from Toyota to use their logo.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Generalhoho on Aug 12, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    Hopefully, KIA manage to significantly reduce internal cabin tyre noise and such.. bising oo.. at the back..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
    • Sam Loo (ori) on Aug 16, 2014 at 11:42 am

      Kimchi’s can make it as quiet as a Lexus, but still, it will have no RV

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Sam Loo (ori) on Aug 16, 2014 at 11:41 am

    As long as its not a kimchi, it will have RV.

    If its a KIA, it cannot even be traded in

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 4
 

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