First shown off in a preview back in January this year, the all-new 2023 Kia Sorento has now been officially launched in Malaysia with three variants on offer, starting from RM211,498 for the seven-seater entry-level variant, moving up to RM235,498 for the mid-range six-seater petrol variant, and RM255,229 for the range-topping diesel-powered six-seater.
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2023 Kia Sorento: Refined Boldness design
While the outgoing Sorento can be – at best – described as a little bland, the all-new fourth-generation model is really anything but. It bears the marque’s latest iteration of the “refined boldness” design ethos, featuring a robust, tough-looking aesthetic yet not discounting on its elegance and sportiness.
The signature Kia touches are all here, including the new hallmark ‘tiger nose’ LED grille, and the ‘tiger eyeline’ LED daytime-running light signature on the headlights that are integrated into the frame of the grille. The aggressive look is complemented by a wide lower air intake with wing-shaped air curtains on the corners, and the skid plate-like elements on the bumpers.
The overall footprint of the all-new 2023 Kia Sorento has been tweaked by a little bit, with a 35 mm longer wheelbase (2,815 mm) but shorter overhangs, and a ‘cab-rearward’ design to make it appear even longer than before (on top of the 50 mm increase in overall length). Its width and height have both only grown by 10 mm, but overall, the 2023 Kia Sorento looks significantly more dominant on the road.
As for equipment, all variants get automatic dual LED projector headlamps as standard, alongside the vertical LED tail lamps, LED fog lights, a smart powered tailgate, and alloy wheels ranging from 18- (seven-seater) to 19-inches (six seater variants) in diameter. The sole entry-level seven-seater variant also misses out on the roof rails, so if are more in tune with the active lifestyle, you might want to look further up the range.
2023 Kia Sorento: Upgraded interior
Just like the exterior, the all-new 2023 Kia Sorento’s cabin also represents a “step-change” in quality and design when compared to its predecessors, thanks to its new striking design and the use of “premium-quality materials”, including metallic trims and embossed wood-effect surfaces.
In terms of equipment, all variants of the 2023 Kia Sorento here in Malaysia will come equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. This is paired to a set of analogue dials for the instrumentation on the entry-level variant, but step up to the two six-seater variants and you’ll get a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster as well.
The fourth-generation Sorento also comes equipped with dual zone climate control with rear air conditioning vents and third-row manual controls as standard, alongside fabric upholstery (on the entry-level variant), eight-way powered front seats (driver gets additional two-way lumbar support adjustments), folding second-row seats with remote folding capabilities, reverse camera, a Mood Lighting System, two USB charging ports for each row of seats, and a wireless charging pad.
Step up to the six-seater variants, and you’ll get an additional head-up display, as well as leatherette upholstery, second-row sunshades, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, and a 360-degree surround-view monitor. The range-topping diesel variant goes one step further with the addition of steering-wheel gearshift paddles.
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2023 Kia Sorento: Petrol and diesel powertrain options
The all-new 2023 Kia Sorento will be offered in two powertrain options here in Malaysia: a 2.5-litre Smartstream inline-four petrol engine available for both the seven- and six-seater variants, making 177 hp and 232 Nm, and a 2.2-litre Smartstream turbodiesel mill reserved specifically for the range-topping six-seater variant, making 199 hp and 440 Nm.
The petrol engine is paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard, while the diesel mill gets an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission that’s said to be designed for “smooth shifting” and “enhanced fuel efficiency”. The entry-level seven-seater variant also only get a front-wheel drive drivetrain, while the two six-seater variants get all-wheel drive as standard, with an extra terrain mode switch for the diesel.
2023 Kia Sorento: Enhanced safety
Here in Malaysia, all variants of the 2023 Kia Sorento will come as standard with a suite of advanced driver assistance features, including:
- High Beam Assist
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Avoidance Assist
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist
- Lane Keeping Assist (Line and Road)
- Driver Attention Warning
- Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning support
- Lane Following Assist
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go support
The two six-seater variants also add on a blind spot monitor on the wing mirrors, but the passive safety kit is standard across all variants, including six airbags, ABS, EBD with BA, electronic stability control, traction control, multi-collision brake control, and hill start assist control.
2023 Kia Sorento pricing in Malaysia
The all-new 2023 Kia Sorento will be locally-assembled (CKD) at the Inokom Assembly Plant in Kulim, Kedah. Pricing for the 2023 Kia Sorento in Malaysia is as follows, on the road, without insurance:
- Kia Sorento 2.5L 2WD 7-seater – RM211,498.40
- Kia Sorento 2.5L AWD 6-seater – RM235,498.40
- Kia Sorento 2.2L Diesel AWD 6-seater – RM255,228.80
A total of five exterior colours are available on offer, including Astra Blue, Meteor Grey, Snowflake White Pearl, Sonic Silver, and Jet Black.
The 2023 Kia Sorento in Malaysia is offered with a five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty as standard, alongside a five-year/100,000 km free scheduled maintenance package.
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