2016 Kia Sorento: Mature and Consistent - The Car Guide
When Kia first entered the Canadian market, the Korean automaker didn’t have much in its line up. In fact, it only had the Sephia sedan and the Sportage, a small SUV—and both were truly awful in all respects. Fortunately, new models came in as reinforcements pretty soon afterward, significantly enhancing the offer at dealerships. In 2003, the first generation Sorento helped Kia gain credibility. And the fact that it’s now touted in a Super Bowl ad by Pierce Brosnan, formerly James Bond, gives you an idea of how far Kia has come. At first glance, the new Kia looks a lot like the former one, and its stylists kept the model’s signature trapezoid C-pillar. But the new gen is 5 mm wider and 75 mm longer than its predecessor. While the platform is relatively unchanged, the use of better quality steel has improved torsional rigidity by 14% and flexural rigidity by 13%, which has a direct impact on comfort and handling. As for its appearance, this newcomer features beefed-up rocker panels that make the side panels look sunken. Note the stainless steel front and rear bumper inserts on the SX, the most luxurious trim. The brand’s classic grille was kept, but the Kia emblem was repositioned and is now practically in the middle of the grille. Source: www.guideautoweb.com
