2019 Kia Sorento Updates

Four years ago, the Kia Sorento went through a bit of a makeover when entering its third and current (2018 model year) generation design. For the 2019 model year, the Kia Sorento SUV is receiving a few more changes, and they definitely make the Sorento look a little sleeker. Not enough changes to warrant a next-generation model, but enough changes to make it more competitive in the SUV market of the auto industry today.

Style

There have been subtle changes to the 2019 Kia Sorento in terms of body and the overall exterior. The front fascia has a bit of a facelift and it has been redesigned with a new grille and some updated lighting. The latter includes full LED headlights on the high-end trims and tweaked designs for the bumper and taillights, as well as a new liftgate and three new wheel designs. The changes are subtle, but notable for the 2019 model.

Power and Driving

Available in five different trim levels for the 2019 model year, the Kia Sorento will have one of the following monikers to denote its level in the lineup: L (base trim), LX, EX, SX, and SXL. Aside from the base trim, all 2019 Sorento trims will have the ability to come with a front-wheel drivetrain (FWD) or all-wheel drivetrain (AWD). The latter is perfect for states that see all kinds of weather, designed with electronic sensors to monitor road conditions and distribute power to the appropriate wheels to improve traction and control of the vehicle.

Two of the three engine types remain for the 2019 Kia Sorento model. These consist of the 2.4-liter DOHC Inline 4 (I4) engine that generates 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque (standard on low-tier trims), and the 3.3-liter DOHC V6 engine, able to generate 290 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. Those missing the turbocharged 2.0-liter DOHC I4 engine don’t have to worry too much about losing out on torque – Kia Motors claims a new diesel engine will be added to the lineup to make up for that.

A revised six-speed transmission shows up on the 2019 model, and unlike the 2018 Kia Sorento, the six-speeder isn’t the only option. A new eight-speed transmission is also being added to the lineup to help the Sorento handle steep slopes that require a little more power to climb. Consumers will want to take a look at their local topography to make the right engine and transmission decision when buying or leasing a 2019 Kia Sorento. Moreover, unseen on many SUVs, is the ability to lock torque into all wheels with AWD, basically making the Sorento a 4×4 vehicle.

Interior Amenities

If drivers think the front of the new Sorento got a facelift, they’ll be pleasantly surprised by the interior, now fashioned with a redesigned dashboard. This includes a new steering wheel design, new shifter knob, and a redesigned instrument cluster. In addition, the crossover now has the capacity for seven passengers in all trims, previously only available to models with the V6 engine, and the interior is still as roomy as before.

When it comes to being on the road, new amenities in the cabin will make long drives bearable with heated and ventilated seating options available on high-end trims. Kia Motors is known for not only making stylish cars, but safe vehicles too. Many advanced safety options can be found available throughout the lineup (except for the base) on both the 2018 and 2019 model. A step-up from 2018 is the new adaptive cruise control.

On the 2018 Kia Sorento model was the “Advanced Smart Cruise Control” option that allows drivers to also pick the appropriate distance to keep between them and another vehicle while in cruise control. This adaptive cruise control not only keeps the driver’s vehicle at a safe distance from another up ahead, but will also stop and start back up again without driver intervention. Also new for 2019 is a driver attention warning system, first introduced in the 2018 Kia Stinger sports car, that monitors the drivers driving habits and can issue visual and audible alerts if it thinks they need to take a break from the road – great for long road trips, especially when driving back home for those currently on spring break.

The last bit of updates currently known is a step up consumers will really appreciate. Now available on all trims is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capabilities. This would lend itself to UVO eServices also coming standard, but the two aren’t necessarily dependent on one another, so that waits to be confirmed.

* Expect the 2019 Kia Sorento to be made available soon with a starting MSRP of $25,990 (plus destination). Can’t wait? Check out the 2018 Kia Sorento in our inventory at Miami Lakes Kia. *

* Photo Source/Copyright: CNET.com *

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