If you were to take a quick look at the 2014 Kia Sorento, which is enjoying its North American premiere at this week’s Los Angeles Auto Show, what you would probably see is the restyled front and rear ends, and some barely noticeable tweaks in the cabin.
Ask Kia, however, and the Koreans will tell you that there’s much more than meets the eye to the revamped Sorento. In fact, Kia claims that more than 80 percent of the parts in the crossover are either “all-new or significantly redesigned”, including the 3.3-liter GDI V6 engine producing 290 horsepower.
Then again, we remember some other claims (mpg-related) made by Kia and its sister company Hyundai, but that’s another story….
The 2014 Sorento’s new V6 is connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission with four-wheel drive offered as an option.
At the bottom of the range, a 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder engine with 191hp and 181 lb.-ft. of torque returns as standard equipment replacing the 2.4-liter MPI. It too is linked to a six-speed automatic.
Also standard in the new 2014 Sorento is an Electric Motor Driven Power Steering with three modes (Comfort, Normal and Sport) that replaces the hydraulic unit from the outgoing model.
According to Kia, the 2014 Sorento’s rides on an “all-new” chassis that increases torsional rigidity by 18-percent, improving both ride and handling.
Among other changes made to the interior of the crossover is a redesigned instrument panel, which on premium trims, features a 7-inch TFT LCD that projects a digital speedometer flanked by analog instruments for the tachometer, fuel level and engine temperature, plus new controls on the center console. The Sorento also debuts Kia’s next generation UVO voice-activated infotainment system.
In addition to the LX, EX and SX trims, in the second quarter of 2013, Kia will present the SX Limited edition that will be offered exclusively in Ebony Black, Snow White Pearl and Titanium Silver, and feature a number of bespoke parts such as 19-inch wheels and Nappa leather seats.
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