Facelifted Kia Sorento Unveiled Ahead Of Frankfurt Premiere

The 2018 Kia Sorento is finally arriving in Europe, after its unveiling in South Korea earlier this year.

It benefits from those same visual updates, which might not be groundbreaking, although they do make the SUV stand out a bit more.

These include the revised bumpers on both ends, new LED headlights and taillights, dark metallic finish applied to the signature grille, fresh patterns for the alloy wheels that range between 17- and 19-inch in size, and two exterior paint finishes applied to the color palette – Rich Espresso and Gravity Blue.

Inside, the 2018 Kia Sorento is said to have an increased proportion of soft-touch materials and leather for a more premium feel, new steering wheel, instrument cluster, and climate control LCD display, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging within the center console. Buyers can also opt for a new Harman/Kardon sound system, and they can choose between the optional brown or light grey leather upholstery, among others.

New for the 2018 Kia Sorento is the addition of an 8-speed automatic transmission, designed in-house. The gearbox is only available on models powered by the 2.2-liter diesel engine, and it replaces the previous six-speed automatic. In this flavor, drivers can choose between four different modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart, with each one customizing the powertrain’s responses to inputs, enhancing fuel economy or acceleration depending on the preference.

Kia’s 7-seat flagship SUV is now available, for the first time, with the Drive Wise ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), which combats distracted or drowsy driving. The system monitors several inputs from the car and driver, and if a lapse in concentration is noticed, it will sound a warning chime and display a graphic in the instrument binnacle.

Other safety features available on the facelifted Sorento are the full LED headlights with Dynamic Bending Light, High Beam Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist.

Joining the 2018 Kia Sorento is the new ‘sport-inspired’ GT Line version. This model benefits from a range of upgrades for added style, such as the four-lamp LED fog lights, red brake calipers, prominent sill step, and subtle ‘GT Line’ badging, while diesels also get a distinctive chrome twin exhaust tip.

Inside, the Sorento GT Line has the same improvements as the regular version, to which it adds quilted seats in black leather with grey stitching, unique gear shift paddles, satin chrome highlights, and the ‘GT Line’ embroided emblems.

Set to be launched on the European market from Q4, this tweaked SUV will also be displayed at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.