KIA has just made their all-new Sorento available in the UK, hoping that this 3rd generation top of the range SUV will finally change the way people view their brand.

And if you’re KIA, you definitely want your customers to feel as if they’re driving a refined and good looking automobile, while holding true to core values such as the company’s seven-year or 100,000 mile transferable warranty.

For a while now, KIA has been playing Europe and the U.S against each other. Models that were available on one side of the Atlantic, were completely different than what we were seeing on the other side.

A great example is the all-new Sorento (first car to be produced under KIA’s new Global Quality Strategy) which is now available in the UK with a base price of £28,795 and a total of 6 available versions – all powered by an EU6-compliant 2.2 liter turbodiesel engine.

All models come with a new, permanent, intelligent all-wheel drive system and a 7 seat interior arrangement regardless of which of the four trim levels you go choose (KX-1, KX-2, KX-3, KX-4). You can also choose to have either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Compared to the previous generation, the all-new KIA Sorento has grown in every department, largely thanks to a new platform, making it possible to have a larger wheelbase.

You’ll also have your choice of safety gear, such as Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Around View Monitoring, Adaptive Front Lighting and Speed Limit Information.

Performance-wise, the new Sorento’s Dynamax all-wheel drive system is paired up to the 197 BHP 2.2 liter turbodiesel engine, which helps this full-size SUV reach 62 mph (100km/h) in 9.0 seconds (9.6 auto). That’s not what we’d call impressive but keep in mind that the engine is more efficient and better for the environment than before.

As for the trim levels, you get plenty of optional equipment but some pretty good standard features as well such as 17″, 18″ or 19″ alloys (depending on grade), black side sill and wheel-arch mouldings, roof rails and a rear spoiler, cornering lights integrated into the foglights, LED daytime running lights, front wiper de-icers, electrically adjustable, and folding and heated door mirrors with LED indicators.

If you go all out for the top of the range KX-4 version, you’ll also get a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with four-way powered lumbar adjustment (which lots of drivers need), ventilated front seats, Adaptive Cruise Control, the 360-degree Around View Monitor, the Smart Park Assist System, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

In Europe, the all-new Sorento is set to take on the likes of the Hyundai Grand Santa Fe, while also hoping to attract customers who would normally head towards more premium products.

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