Comfort & Convenience

High-quality trim and high-tech features enhance interior

The new Sorento’s interior styling echoes the sense of power and dynamism created by the exterior appearance and creates a new ambience that’s appropriate to a ‘highline cruiser’.

Kia is confident that existing Sorento owners and new customers will be equally impressed by the cabin’s generous proportions, sweeping dashboard design, high-quality fit, discreet trim accents and the availability of numerous high-tech features. Customers will be offered a choice of equipment levels, plus a wide range of options – depending on individual markets.

The thick-rimmed four-spoke steering wheel, which can be adjusted for height through a 40 mm range and (on EX models) for reach through a 30 mm range, is becoming a Kia trademark feature. Through the wheel, the driver can view another element of Kia’s developing design DNA – the ‘three-cylinder’ instrument cluster. Similar to the cluster fitted to the 2009 Kia Magentis (Optima) and new Kia Soul, the new Sorento’s cluster has clear and precise graphics.

A ‘Super Vision’ cluster with reddish lighting will be available as an option on EX models with a new ‘message centre’ digital information display at the bottom of the cluster. This display gives information about average and instant fuel consumption, current fuel level, range-to-empty, average speed, elapsed journey time, engine temperature and low-pressure tyre warnings, as well as door and tailgate ‘open’ alerts.

When the optional rear parking sensors are fitted and reverse gear is engaged, the message centre also displays an overhead plan-view graphic showing the new Sorento in relation to any pedestrians and obstructions.

The centre stack, which features a rugged diagonal garnish that extends rearwards into the centre console, presents heating, ventilation, audio and auxiliary controls in logical horizontal bands, with fine detailing that echoes the appearance of a premium audio system.

Depending on model, the stack features ‘Negative LCD’ illumination which brings a reddish glow to the cabin interior. As an option, this can be augmented by reddish ‘mood lighting’ in the front door garnish strips (first featured on the Kia Mohave/Borrego model not sold in Europe) and reflects Kia’s developing design identity.

The new Sorento can be equipped with a six or eight-speaker audio system, with MP3, USB and iPod connectivity, plus a built-in or external amplifier. The standard six-speaker audio system features a 6.5-inch speaker in each door and a 1-inch tweeter at each end of the dashboard. This standard audio features Kia’s innovative ‘PowerBase’ technology – first seen on the Soul. This system employs psychoacoustic audio technology to overcome the inherent challenges of an in-car sound system – small speakers, harsh environment and obstacles within the interior – and deliver concert hall quality sound with lively reproduction of bass tones.

The 8-speaker system adds an external amplifier, centre speaker mounted in the dash top and a single woofer in the cargo bay side trim. Remote controls for the audio system are mounted on the steering wheel.

Later next year, new Sorento will become available with an all-new AVN (audio visual navigation) system with a 6.5-inch screen, Bluetooth and voice recognition.

The standard (manual) air-conditioning features air vents in the B-Pillars to cool second row occupants and there are floor level heating ducts for the third row passengers. Dual-zone air-conditioning and independent air-conditioning for the third row seats will be available, as will a Cluster Ioniser system to further enhance cabin air quality.

Other high-tech ‘comfort & convenience’ features available include key-less entry with an engine ‘start’ button, and a two-piece panoramic glass sunroof.

The New Sorento’s interior can be trimmed in one of two standard fabrics – Steel Black (one-tone) and Splendour Beige (two-tone) or in the optional leather, also in a choice of two colours. These two optional ‘colour packs’ feature Brown Leather (with Bright Woodgrain trim on the dashboard and door trims) and Black & Ivory Leather (with Carbon Inserts on the dashboard and door trims).