Kia Sorento facelift teased ahead of launch in Malaysia

Kia Malaysia has begun teasing the arrival of the new Sorento facelift on its social media channels ahead of an imminent market launch. The SUV, currently in its third generation (UM), received its mid-life refresh earlier in July in its home market of South Korea.

Visual updates start at the front include new LED headlamps for higher-end variants, which are joined by repositioned daytime running lights near the bottom of each cluster. The grille has also been updated to feature more prominent, scale-like inserts in place of the “diamond studs” on the pre-facelift model.

Kia’s “ice cube” fog lamps are also part of the refresh, occupying a smaller footprint as they are LED units. Regular fog lamps and twin-barrel projector main beams are fitted on variants further down the range.

Moving to the rear, the LED taillights sport new graphics within them, with vertical stripes replacing the old U-shaped array. Other revisions involve the bumper and exhaust pipes, the latter being showcased by square chrome tips.

On the inside, the cabin gets a new steering wheel and gear lever design, along with an updated infotainment system, wireless charging, extended functionality for the front seats and a variable-angle powered tailgate.

Safety features such as lane keeping assist, smart cruise control with forward collision assist, blind spot warning, dynamic bending lights and driver alert warning also make their way into the new Sorento, with the addition of a tyre pressure monitoring system.

The key item being teased by Kia Malaysia in its teaser is the Sorento’s new eight-speed automatic transmission that replaces the outgoing six-speed unit currently. In its home market, the Sorento is available with a 2.0 litre diesel (186 PS/402 Nm), 2.2 litre diesel (202 PS/441 Nm) and a 2.0 T-GDI petrol unit with 240 PS/353 Nm.

The current, pre-facelift Sorento in Malaysia is being offered with a choice of a 2.4 litre petrol (171 PS/225 Nm) and aforementioned 2.4 litre diesel. For now, specifications of the new Sorento for our market have yet to be confirmed (aside from the new eight-speed ‘box) but we expect more information to trickle in as the launch date approaches.

GALLERY: Kia Sorento UM facelift (South Korea)

GALLERY: Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi HS (pre-facelift) in Malaysia

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • The front is Mazdaish while interior is a hit or miss.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 8
    • Habis la

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
    • Pilihanraya Kalah Teruk on Sep 04, 2018 at 10:41 am

      Does not look like Mazda at all. Koreans do not copy bro. They are not Proton.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 6
    • Oh Wai! Car prices Gone Down, not UP!!! on Sep 04, 2018 at 10:59 am

      We need more 7 seaters In Malaysia. I hope the CRV also changes to 7 seaters

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 22
      • CRV 5seater alredi outsold Xtrail 7seater. Proves that ur statement above is invalid lor.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
        • Kassim on Sep 04, 2018 at 1:48 pm

          Crv> xtrail > xc90 > 5008

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 5
        • contilover & Proton on Sep 05, 2018 at 8:31 am

          what he meant who has 2-3 children need a 7 seater because of car seat! u single people/decided not to hv children/children/,3 children wont understand

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
          • Try CRV, it can seat 3 childseats abreast at rear.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Gila 7 seater on Sep 04, 2018 at 2:51 pm

        If u really need a 7-seater go get a MPV or a van.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
  • Pilihanraya Kalah Teruk on Sep 04, 2018 at 10:32 am

    Looking forward to this new car. Also prices will be cheaper with SST. Enough of fake news that with SST prices will go up. So fed up of fake news from sour people

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 10
  • MY Picanto GT Line tease

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Kenny See on Sep 04, 2018 at 10:45 am

    Lets see P1 Boyue first.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
  • The infotainment and instrument cluster looks like from 10 years ago with cosmetic changes. Kia and Hyundai seems to be the last to upgrade their system.

    Kudos if they can bring in the 2.0 Turbo Diesel and Petrol with 8 speed. The 2.4 Petrol and 2.2 CRDI is 2 generations old at least.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
    • ABTguy (Member) on Sep 04, 2018 at 11:59 am

      The 2.2 diesel still serving good, with good amount of HP and torque. But the 2.4 petrol really needs to be replaced.

      New 2.0 diesel/petrol turbo maybe suitable for Sportage, but for a 1.95ton Sorento, it maybe underpower.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • awang1031 on Sep 04, 2018 at 12:41 pm

    fortunately the visual upgrade does not mess with the reverse light..hate the position of the reverse light of the sportage

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • BranddonLai on Sep 04, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    Looking forward for 360 camera upgrade.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Mikey on Sep 04, 2018 at 3:04 pm

    Easily the BEST value for $$$ in the Big SUV segment :P

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Kia stinger GT on Sep 05, 2018 at 3:04 pm

    Haterz gonna hate..nuff said

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • jeffrey on Sep 05, 2018 at 10:05 pm

    haters of sorento r just people who cannot deal with facts.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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