Kia Canada reveals all-new, third generation 2016 Sorento at the Montreal International Auto Show

• All-new 2016 Sorento SUV offers premium features, a sleek European design while being longer, lower and wider than the previous generation vehicle

MONTREAL, Jan. 15, 2015  /CNW/ -  Kia Canada Inc. revealed the Canadian debut of the all-new 2016 Sorento SUV at the Montreal International Auto Show (MIAS) today. The 2016 Sorento brings new refinement and cutting-edge technology to the highly competitive segment and is expected to arrive at dealerships across Canada in early spring of 2015.

"The all-new 2016 Sorento SUV proudly built at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Point Georgia will provide a high quality offering to the SUV segment." said Maria Soklis, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Kia Canada Inc. "With its all-new design we expect this world-class vehicle to continue to resonate with Canadians."

The Georgia-built 2016 Sorento has undergone impressive change versus the outgoing model. A brand-new appearance including an upgraded interior packed with impressive technology; the 2016 Sorento arrives with all-new styling, enhanced interior design, a significantly modified platform and a new available twin-scroll turbocharged engine to the line-up.

Inspired Exterior

Overall, the all-new Sorento takes on a brawnier, more planted stance, communicating its edginess and rugged personality.  The clean profile is easily recognizable as Sorento, enhanced with stronger shoulders and a long hood to deliver a more aerodynamic and sleek appearance.  Combining a significantly longer 2,780mm wheelbase (up 80mm), longer 4,760mm length (increased by 75mm) and overall width that's broadened to 1,890mm (increased by 5mm), the Sorento's packaging is more efficient and allows for greater interior room. The aggressively styled front end is an evolution of the upper fascia seen on the Cross GT concept and bears a strong family resemblance to the all-new highly praised Sedona multipurpose vehicle (MPV). The Sorento's muscular body sits atop three new alloy wheel designs ranging from 17 to 19 inches, depending on trim level.

Class-Up Interior

With an overall interior theme focused on the stability of a horizontal plane, the design motif provides a strong foundation for the premium textures and high-quality materials found throughout the 2016 Sorento's cabin.  The liberal application of soft-touch materials is particularly evident around the instrument panel, center console and door panels.

Depending on trim level, the ready-for-adventure 2016 Sorento comes with standard 40/20/40 second-row folding five-passenger and available 50/50 folding third-row seven-passenger seating configurations.  For added luxury, also available are heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, 10-way power driver and 8-way power passenger seats, driver's seat thigh extension, a 4-way headrest with one-button adjustment, dual-zone automatic temperature control and Kia's second-generation panoramic sunroof. 

Overall cargo volume in the new Sorento is rated at 2,082 L, while cargo volume behind the 3rd row is rated at 320 L, providing increased space for essentials and active-lifestyle equipment without sacrificing rear-passenger room. 

A New Driving Experience

The core of the all-new 2016 Sorento is its significantly modified platform.  The enhanced structure increases torsional rigidity by 14 percent over the previous generation. Fifty-three percent of the unit-body consists of advanced high-strength steel, a 115 percent increase over the outgoing model.

A number of safety features are also offered, including seatbelt anchor pretensioners and six airbags, to help give drivers the confidence and peace-of-mind.  All Sorento models come standard with active safety features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Antilock Braking System (ABS).  Additional technologies such as Roll Over Prevention (ROP) and Advanced Traction Cornering Control (ATCC) on AWD models also were added as standard equipment for improved dynamic control and safety.

New available driver aid technology, including Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Rear Cross Traffic Alert and 360o Camera Monitoring, help provide Sorento owners with a more convenient daily driving experience.

Sorento continues to offer an advanced AWD system that automatically routes power to the wheel with the most traction.  When conditions call for more sure-footed capability, the 4WD Lock Mode splits engine power evenly between the front and rear drive shafts. The spirited front- or all-wheel drive experience is brought to life with a choice of three engines, including a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder GDI, a 3.3-litre V6 GDI and a new 2.0-litre 4-cylinder GDI turbocharged powerplant.  The 2.4-litre engine, with new Electronic Cam Variable Valve Timing (E-CVVT) delivers a capable 185 horsepower.  On the other end of the engine range, the Sorento's V6 gallops to the tune of 290 horses on the open road and with that power, the Sorento is now able to tow up to 5,000 lbs. In the middle, the new turbocharged I-4 provides a best-of-both-worlds scenario, making a stout 240 horsepower while also delivering commendable fuel efficiency.  All three engines channel energy through an electronically controlled six-speed automatic gearbox.

The all-new 2016 Sorento will be on display at Kia Canada's Montreal International Auto Show pavilion from January 16 – 25, 2015, at the Palais des congrès de Montreal, level 7.

Kia Canada Inc. (http://www.kia.ca– www.facebook.com/kiacanada) a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart is a subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) which was founded in 1999 and sells and services high quality, class leading vehicles like the Soul, Forte, Optima and Sorento through a network of 187 dealers nationwide. Kia Canada Inc. employs 159 people in its Mississauga, Ontario headquarters and four regional offices across Canada, with an all-new state-of-the-art facility in Montreal. Kia's brand slogan "The Power to Surprise" represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting & inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.

SOURCE KIA Canada Inc.

Jack Sulymka, National Manager, Corporate Communications & Corporate Partnerships, Kia Canada Inc., T: 905-755-6266, C: 905-301-6207, E: [email protected]; Maxime Surette, Product Communications Manager, Kia Canada Inc., T: 905-755-6272, C: 416-316-3313, E: [email protected]