Verdict
At RM151,239, the Kia Sorento Mk2 Facelift costs RM60,259 less and brings all-wheel drive, a 258-litre boot and a full-size spare. The RM211,498 Kia Sorento MQ4 is the more convincing family SUV if budget allows: its 2,815-mm wheelbase, 177 hp/232 Nm 2.5-litre engine, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise address daily Malaysian driving better. Yet the older car’s 70-litre tank and 71-litre larger boot remain practical wins.
Pick the Kia Sorento Mk2 Facelift if you want the lower entry price, all-wheel drive and the bigger 258-litre boot.
Pick the Kia Sorento MQ4 if you want the longer cabin, stronger 2.5-litre petrol engine and a far fuller active-safety suite.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Sorento Mk2 Facelift RM151,239; Kia Sorento MQ4 RM211,498.
- Engine output: Mk2 Facelift 174 hp and 227 Nm from 2,359 cc; MQ4 177 hp and 232 Nm from 2,497 cc.
- Driveline: Mk2 Facelift all-wheel drive; MQ4 front-wheel drive.
- Wheelbase: Mk2 Facelift 2,700 mm; MQ4 2,815 mm.
- Boot space: Mk2 Facelift 258 litres; MQ4 187 litres.
- Fuel tank: Mk2 Facelift 70 litres; MQ4 67 litres.
Mk2 Facelift
- All-wheel drive instead of front-wheel drive.
- 258-litre boot and full-size spare tyre.
- Panoramic tilt-and-slide sunroof.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or blind-spot information system.
- Shorter 2,700-mm wheelbase than the MQ4's 2,815 mm.
- 4.2-inch touchscreen lacks Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
MQ4
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist.
- Adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go and lane-keeping steering correction.
- 10.25-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
- RM60,259 more expensive.
- Front-wheel drive, where the Mk2 Facelift has all-wheel drive.
- 187-litre boot is 71 litres smaller and it has a tyre repair kit rather than a full-size spare.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM151,239✓ | RM211,498 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM727✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,359 cc | 2,497 cc |
| Horsepower | 174 hp | 177 hp✓ |
| Torque | 227 Nm | 232 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 88 mm | 88.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed Automatic | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Kia |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,685 mm | 4,810 mm |
| Width | 1,885 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,700 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,719 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 258 litres✓ | 187 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R18 | 235/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R18 | 235/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats in 2nd row | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats in Second and Third Row |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Xenon projector | LED Projector with Automatic High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable 8-way Driver's Seat | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding (2nd row), 50:50 split-folding (3rd row) | 60:40 Split-folding Second Row, 50:50 Split-folding Third Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | 2nd row vents, 3rd Row blower control | Second Row Vents, Third Row Vents with Blower Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 2 front, 1 2nd row, 1 3rd row | 1 Front, 1 Second Row, 1 Boot, 3 Front USB, 1 Second Row USB, 2 Third Row USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 front, 2 2nd row, 1 3rd row | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Audio | 4.2" Touch-screen with Radio, CD, MP3, AUX, USB, 6 Speakers and Subwoofer | 10.25" Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 sensor | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
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Mk2 Facelift vs MQ4 FAQ
Is the Kia Sorento Mk2 Facelift or Kia Sorento MQ4 better?
The Kia Sorento MQ4 is better for most buyers because it adds active safety systems, adaptive cruise control, a longer wheelbase and slightly stronger output. The Mk2 Facelift remains the smarter choice for buyers prioritising price, all-wheel drive and luggage space.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Sorento MQ4 costs RM60,259 more than the Kia Sorento Mk2 Facelift. That gap buys autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a 115-mm longer wheelbase.
Which Sorento is better for carrying luggage?
The Kia Sorento Mk2 Facelift has the larger quoted boot at 258 litres, versus 187 litres for the MQ4. It also carries a full-size spare tyre, while the MQ4 uses a tyre repair kit.