Launched just last month, the 2016 Kia Sorento is a welcome entry into the seven-seater SUV market – the new UM-generation model is offered with plenty of equipment at competitive prices. But that was also the case with the previous-gen XM, so how do these two stack up against each other? We’ve pitted these two back-to-back in a full photo gallery so you can see and judge for yourself.
The old car was not exactly terrible to look at – particularly in facelifted form, as seen here – but the new car certainly brings the game to the next level. The sleek twin projector headlights, three-dimensional “tiger nose” grille and more intricate detailing in the broader two-piece tail lights provide the UM with a confidence and sophistication that was missing in its predecessor.
Its cleaner, more assertive look is accentuated by the sheer size of the new Sorento – it measures a massive 4,780 mm long, 1,890 mm wide and 1,685 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,780 mm. This makes it some 95 mm longer and 5 mm wider (plus an 80 mm longer wheelbase) than the already-substantial outgoing model – although it is slightly lower, by 15 mm.
There are a few things that count against the UM, however. Those of you with an eye for detail will notice that it’s missing the XM’s panoramic sliding sunroof; it’s a touch impractical in our climate, but it would have been nice to have nevertheless. The 19-inch chrome wheels on this top-spec 2.4 HS variant are also rather ostentatious – we’d much rather have the classier two-tone Y-spoke items on the mid-range 2.4 MS model.
Inside, the differences between the two are even greater, with the new car introducing acres of soft-touch plastic (with faux dashboard topstitching, no less) that banish memories of the hard, scratchy stuff you’ll find on the old Sorento. You’ll also find a more organic design in here, with more upmarket touches – including a sportier three-spoke steering wheel – than in the utilitarian cabin of before.
Despite those differences, those familiar with the XM will feel right at home here, sharing items like the fully-digital Supervision seven-inch TFT LCD speedometer and multi-info display, as well as the transmission tunnel layout with the gearlever on the right and dual cupholders (with a sliding lid) on the left. A new addition on the new Sorento is the electronic parking brake and an auto brake hold function.
At the rear of the cabin, the second-row air vents have moved from the B-pillar to the rear of the armrest console, while the fan speed controller for the third row is now a rotary knob. Handy levers have also sprouted along the sides of the cargo area to fold the second-row seats from the rear.
Meanwhile, the tailgate is now powered on the 2.4 MS and up, and gains handsfree operation on this 2.4 HS. The latter opens the tailgate if it senses the key in close proximity to the rear of the car (à la new Hyundai Sonata), rather than having users kick under the rear bumper, as is the case with most other systems.
Under the bonnet, these two are identical, so both are powered by a 2.4 litre Theta II CVVT four-cylinder petrol engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The new car actually makes slightly less power than before, at 172 PS (down 4 PS) at 6,000 rpm and 224 Nm (down 3 Nm) at 4,000 rpm.
There’s also a 200 PS/441 Nm 2.2 litre CRDi turbodiesel offered on the new Sorento, but that’s only offered on the base-spec 2.2 LS, lacking the high level of equipment seen on this car.
With all that aside, let’s talk pricing – the new Kia Sorento 2.4 HS seen here is priced at RM175,888 on-the-road with insurance. That’s a huge near-RM20k jump from the RM156,800 that Naza Kia asked for the previous-gen model, although the increase in equipment, as well as the considerable improvement in looks and perceived quality goes some way towards making that up.
So, what do you think of the new 2016 Kia Sorento, and would you prefer this over the previous-generation model? Sound off in the comments section after the jump.
GALLERY: New Kia Sorento UM
GALLERY: Old Kia Sorento XM
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Kimchi quality is better now, just when you wanna sell it, the price quite bad. If for long term (10~20 yrs) driving, still ok lar.
toyota also same same ma, shiok sendiri je…lol
what a waste of money. Go buy a 7 seater X5, 3 year old car for Rm190k. More worth it.
BMW is BMW. You go about, people also look up to you. You drive a Kia or a Hyundai, people laugh at you. Now at RM176k, some more people laugh at you. They say, “Look at the fool, paid RM176k for a Korean junk”
Anyway, if you are still adamant to buy this Korean toilet paper, wait 2 years time, this car will be RM70k. That is how much Korean RV depreciate.
but branded just for show off? kesian la
From your statement it seems you just suitable to drive an bmx. clueless comments plus naive thinking.
Now nobody is buying kimchi. 10 years ago, Hyundai and Kia was sold cheaper, so, people thought it was a good deal.
But in Malaysia, the bodoh distributors of Hyundai (GLC Sime Darby) and Kia (Naza GLC) got arrogant and decided to price their cars either SAME or higher than Japanese cars. This is how our BODOHs think. Typical Proton mentality who thinks they build Rolls Royce quality and prestige.
So now, 10 years later, buyers are keeping away from kimchi because they cost more than cars like HRV, CRV, X Trail and CX5.
Move over Sorento…
Fortuner tops inside out
This is a global car that recieves praises all around the world and a very safe car too…
It’s ride well, handles well coz it’s based on monocouqe chassis not ladder frame like Fortuner…
Fortuner is just a roofed version of the Hilux truck…
Diff. class…
….then Hyundai Santa Fe.
Consider a used Santa Fe.
Great value for money
You know AP king wont bother for the services…suicide price for Kia as well..
If Kia dont break off with AP king, dont expect anything happened to surprise the market..
diesel turbo is the lowest specs and missing all the high specs equipmets? the marketing department is sleeping
Yeap, the diesel is the variant to go to. the petrol is too underpowered for this heavy SUV
I really wish they had a fourth variant, which is HSD. I would definitely buy that variant, given the advantage of torque and economy of the oil burner.
The car looks fantastic, improving from the already somewhat handsome facelift of the previous generation. The space is a massive plus point for the typical target market here: the family mover and the contractor’s workhorse both need space for their own specific reasons.
Maybe NazaKia will add one later, or amend the variant to still have two, but both the diesel and petrol as HS models.
What is Naza Kia thinking by marketing their diesel only with low base-spec? I prefer this over the Hyundai Sorento, but put off with the only choice of base spec. Wake up Naza!
You meant Hyundai Forester, right?
LOL… just realised i put in Hyundai Sorento…I mean i prefer this over Hyundai Santa Fe.
I’ve taken a looked at this and decide not to buy, here are my take on the Malaysian version of Sorento. Basically everything that Naza has touched has turned out to be for the worst for the case:
1) Do not get the HS, get the MS if you have to buy this. There’s zero integration between the digital instrument cluster and the aftermarket cheapo head unit. Playing back any music just shows USB on your instrument cluster. Save your money and get the MS. Also MS do not have gaudy Chrome rim.
2) Sound insulation is a disappointment. Why did they bring in such an excellent quality car and decided to remove some of the sound insulation. I ask that you shut the doors and listen for the sales person chatter outside. It would ring loud and clear.
3) The head unit. Gasp. Is just confounding what Naza decides is a good fit for such a high quality car. Huge disappointment.The CIVIC with Carplay and AndroidAuto is a better unit.
The rest of the car is solid. Again, don’t waste your money on the HS.
they should have a high spec diesel just like the santa fe.
Interior looks dated!
Peminat D MSIA yg berminat membeli kia di MSIA…Kena amik perhatian sbelum membeli. After Sale SerVice totally ver very POOR . You have to wait up to 3 Months b4 get repair. So hati hati. I sudah kena.
HSD Please, Can we request a diesel version with all the goods found in HS and bring back the Panoramic Roof? Then I’m sold!
Been checking out this car since 2015. Supposed to go for Accord but decided to go for SUV since family getting bigger.
I tested MS model.
My comments:
Pro : Design (in n out) – looks premium, good sound insulation, good value for money (when comparing with other SUVs)
Con : very few color options and no panoramic roof
Good objective observation
A spacious 7-seaters brand new SUV is very limited choice in this boleh-land. Japanese brands do not offer any car closer to this spec/package with +/- same price (the closest one is 2.7L petrol ladder frame SUV that is going to burn your pocket for it’s unfriendly roadtax). Let alone depreciation & less reputable brandname, this Sorento (MS model) seems quite practical for a growing family that is seeking for a real 7-seaters SUV. With the same price, probably can get a 3~4 years recon Japanese MPV, but at least this one is brand new and a proper soft-roader SUV+space (better for recent getting extreme weathered urban city road with high chance to get stucked in unpredictable floods). Just my 2 cents.
learning the footsteps of Fortuner, petrol high spec and diesel low spec
however the Fortuner will be selling much better than this junk
I would seriously consider getting one if not for the dodgy aftersales service by Naza Kia.
Give Jaguar its XF grill back. Lol
Went to Kia showroom. Only sorento LS available. But the unit equipped with upgraded head unit display with reverse and front camera. Planned to buy the LS & upgrade the head unit display, leather seats and spare tyre holder. The salesman said it would cost around 8k in total. Maybe I should wait for the official updated diesel specs. Also check out fortuner and outlander. The verdict: sorento has the most practical interior especially the 3rd row compared to those 2 except the absence of 3rd row aircond venta. Exterior also great looking but need to upgrade the rims to at least 18′ for it to look balanced.