The 2021 Kia Sorento redesign is one of the most anticipated things for the next year, at least when it comes to mid-size crossover. We already get used to Kia’s short production cycle, so a complete overhaul isn’t surprise at all, despite that the current generation has been around for just five years. The upcoming redesign is about to bring a lot of interesting novelties. From what we can read and see in various reports, it looks like the new generation will be more upscale, not just in terms of interior design, but in terms of the styling, engines and more.
The new model still wears a camouflage, but rendering photos can already be seen on various websites. Also, it looks like we are about to see a pretty wide range of engines. The new model could hit the market already in the first half of next year, according to the latest reports.
2021 Kia Sorento Exterior
The upcoming redesign will bring loads of novelties, that’s for sure. The testing model has already been spotted several times, in various places, including famous Nurburgring track. From what we can see on 2021 Kia Sorento spy photos, the company has put a lot of effort in the new model. The test mule still wears a complete camouflage but we can see some of the base design characteristics, especially at the front. As you may presume, the new model will follow the brand’s latest design language, which means taking a lot of inspiration from the new Kia Telluride. Still, the 2021 Kia Sorento will come with the slightly tweaked front face.
From what we can see on rendering photos, the new model will come with grille and headlights that are wired in a kind of entirety. Also, you may notice that the front end is a little bit taller compared to the outgoing model, which makes the new model look more like an SUV than a crossover. The same thing refers to the rest of the body. When it comes to the exterior dimensions, it looks like the new model will feature a little bit bigger size, including a couple of more inches in wheelbase, which should have a highly positive effect on the interior space and overall comfort.
Interior
The exact details about the interior design are still unavailable. Still, we can make some predictions. Considering that the current model already features a pretty upscale interior. Therefore, expectations from the 2021 Kia Sorento are pretty big. We presume that a lot of inspiration will be taken from Telluride, which comes with a pretty luxurious dashboard, full of high-grade materials and lots of horizontal lines that accentuate the model’s luxurious character.
The current models is among the smallest mid-size crossovers around. Therefore, the third row is pretty tight, definitely not spacious enough for adults. The same story goes for the cargo space, which is some of the smallest in the class. The current model features just 11 cubic feet behind rear seats, while the overall volume goes up to 73 cubic feet. As we already mentioned, the 2021 Kia Sorento interior will be notably bigger, thanks to a longer wheelbase and bigger overall size. Therefore, we count on more legroom in the third row, as well as on improvements in terms of cargo capacity.
2021 Kia Sorento Engines
It looks like the new model will feature a pretty wide range of engines in the offer. According to Carscoops, we are about to see four or five powertrain options in the offer. Of course, base models should come with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with around 185 horsepower. A 2.0-liter turbo-four is expected as well, while the European drivers can count on a well-known 2.2-liter turbodiesel.
The same source suggests a possibility to see the V6 version, a 3.8-liter unit with a max output of more than 290 horsepower. However, we are still waiting for official confirmation.
Hybrid
The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid is another powertrain option we expect to see in the new model. It looks like the new model will use the same hybrid system we can find in the new Sonata. The system is based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which is good for 151 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. In addition, there is an electric motor with around 51 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The total output goes up to 195 horsepower.
2021 Kia Sorento Release Date and Price
According to the latest reports, the 2021 Kia Sorento release date will be scheduled for the first half of next year. The current model starts at around 26.500 dollars, while the new model could cost a little bit more. When it comes to competition, things are pretty familiar. There are models like Nissan Murano, Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9, GMC Acadia etc.