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2020 Kia Sorento pricing announced – no hybrid for Australia

 
John Law
Contributor

Australian pricing and specification is locked-in for the new seven-seat Kia Sorento, though our market will make do without the hybrid powertrain available elsewhere.

The updated Sorento shares underpinnings with the Hyundai Santa Fe, though the Kia looks notably different inside, and boasts a smart virtual cockpit with blind-spot assist.

Preliminary pricing from Kia is sharp – the range starts at $46,990 driveaway for the Sorento, equipped with the V6 and front-wheel-drive. A full list of prices appears at the end of this article.

2020 Kia Sorento LEad
It’s definitely a Kia – we like the bluff new Sorento.

Kia is targeting obviously the Hyundai Santa Fe which has proven to be somewhat of a Chasing Cars favourite, but also the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and slightly smaller, but on par with practicality, Skoda Kodiaq

A refreshed exterior leads with the brand’s signature tiger-nose grille and gives way to a more bluff design language. Kia’s designers have sharpened some creases and tightened body-lines, overall creating something reminiscent of a larger Seltos than the outgoing Sorento.

While around the rear there are hints of Toyota Kluger – another of this car’s competitors, and one that will offer a hybrid soon.

2020 Kia Sorento knurled
A knurled rotary-style gear selector. Luxe!

Sliding inside the Sorento and you’ll notice Kia’s continued premium push; there’s a rotary gear-selector replete with knurling, 10.25-inch touchscreen, a large 8.5-inch head-up display, ambient lighting and that new 12.3-inch virtual cockpit.

That brings up the safety system integration – when the indicator is activated, the corresponding mirror view appears in place of either the tacho or speedo to assist lane-changing in the upper GT-Line variant. 

Across the range, all Sorentos get AEB with junction assist, lane-trace assist, rear cross-traffic alert, while the range-topping GT-Line adds remote parking assist and parking collision avoidance.

2020 Kia Sorento Interior
Initial impressions are positive indeed.

The range starts at $46,990 driveaway for the S with a 206kW/336Nm 3.5-litre petrol V6 and front-wheel-drive. The choice of a diesel powerplant and all-wheel-drive is an extra $3,000, that’s consistent across the range. Power is down to 147kW, but torque goes up to 440Nm.

For that outlay, Kia specifies a smaller 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple Carplay and Android Auto functionality, LED headlights, a set of 17-inch alloy wheels and a full-size spare. 

Standard equipment grows for the $49,990 driveaway Sorento Sport; this means 18-inch alloy wheels, satnav run through a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat.

2020 Kia Sorento screen
Upper-trim models get a large 10.25-inch touchscreen.

Second from the top is the Sorento Sport+, which adds two USB ports for rear occupants, leather upholstery, keyless go, power boot lid, larger 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats and heating for the leather steering wheel. The Sport+ starts a $54,390 driveaway.

We’ve covered the blind-spot system included in the range-topping $61,990 driveaway GT-Line. Also included are big 20-inch wheels, a head-up display, Bose premium stereo, Nappa leather-appointed and ventilated front seats, with second-row heating now standard.

That’s a lot of kit for the price, and Kia’s ever-more upmarket interiors are appreciated, especially with the Audi-esque 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. The new Sorento will begin sales in August.

2020 Kia Sorento ambient light
Switchable ambient lighting, too.

2020 Kia Sorento Pricing

All prices include on-road costs
Sorento S Petrol – $46,990
Sorento S Diesel AWD – $49,990
Sorento Sport Petrol – $49,990
Sorento Sport Diesel AWD – $52,990 
Sorento Sport+ Petrol – $54,390
Sorento Sport+ Diesel AWD –$57,390
Sorento GT-Line Petrol – $61,990
Sorento GT-Line Diesel AWD – $64,990