- Kia released the first images of the all-new 2021 Sorento;
- It will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month;
- The fourth generation of the SUV takes design cues from the Seltos and the Telluride.
The next major auto show on the agenda is Geneva. The Swiss exhibition will, as it does every year, be the scene of a slew of unveils, but already, we are starting to learn a little more about what will be shown there.
Kia has taken the lead by showing the first images of its all-new 2021 Sorento, the crossover that is part of a segment very popular with families. From the outset, the front fascia of the new model distance itself from the current Sorento with a more defined “tiger nose” grille and new-style optics. The lower portion of the bumper is of course redesigned for this fourth generation of the SUV.
On the side, the pointed windows are reminiscent of the edition sold since 2016, but a small detail in the C-pillar means that we can immediately differentiate the new Sorento from the old one. Finally, the rear portion reveals simplified position lights, these strangely reminiscent of those of the first generation of the Lincoln Navigator. The net result is quite successful, but we cannot speak of a home run for the originality of the design. This restraint is completely normal, given the importance of the Sorento for the brand.
Kia also showed the first images of the newcomer’s interior. The redesigned dashboard is obviously what catches the eye, with these dual ventilation nozzles, the 10.25-inch touchscreen that extends to the equally digital instrumentation gauge. The gearbox is activated by a small wheel, an increasingly widespread solution in the industry. It also seems that Kia wants to extend the level of quality first shown on board the Telluride inside the slightly more compact Sorento, with leather and woodwork. Unsurprisingly, this level of manufacturing should be limited to more opulent versions.
As of yet, Kia hasn’t released its powertrain strategy, but there is reason to believe that the 2021 Sorento will be powered by a tandem of 4-cylinder engines, while a plug-in hybrid variant is a possibility. We should learn more by March 3, the date scheduled for its launch at the Geneva Motor Show.
2021 Kia Sorento | Photo: Kia
2021 Kia Sorento | Photo: Kia
2021 Kia Sorento | Photo: Kia
