Kia Sorento

The all-new fourth-generation Kia Sorento. Image: Newspress UK

Large and in charge: SA-bound Kia Sorento wins ‘SUV of the Year’ award

Award-winning fourth-generation Kia Sorento SUV expected to arrive in South Africa in March.

Kia Sorento

The all-new fourth-generation Kia Sorento. Image: Newspress UK

Kia’s flagship SUV, the all-new Sorento, has made a strong start to the year, being named “Large SUV of the Year” at the UK’s 2021 What Car? Car of the Year Awards.

Up against worthy competition in the Large SUV category, the What Car? judging panel chose the Sorento for its impressive fuel economy, driving dynamics, high levels of standard specification, and exceptional build quality.

Praise for fuel economy, driving dynamics and interior

The variant chosen by the judges at What Car? was the 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid in the UK’s ‘2’ specification*, packed full of standard features such as a Reversing Camera System, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, and Forward Collision Avoidance with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection.

Commenting on the Sorento win, What Car? magazine editor Steve Huntingford said:

“The Sorento’s hybrid tech combines good real-world fuel economy with comparatively low CO2 emissions, while the ride is comfortable and the steering accurate. Throw in a nicely made and well-equipped interior, and a driving position that’s lofty enough to make HGV drivers jealous, and the Sorento is an outstanding all-rounder.”

Kia Sorento: First electrified power in flagship SUV

Kia Sorento
Image: Motorpress

Kia Motors Europe president Won-Jeong Jeong commented: “It is always a great honour to receive awards for the vehicles that we produce, and particularly from such well-known and highly regarded publications as What Car? magazine. 

“The fourth-generation Sorento is a car we are very proud of, particularly as it represents the first application of electrified power in our flagship SUV.”

The all-new Sorento has only been on sale in Europe for a short time, yet has already cemented itself as an important halo product in the Kia line-up, having also won ‘Car of the Year’ in the UK’s Carbuyer 2021 awards.

Facelifted Kia Picanto’s SA arrival

The Korean automaker’s South African division had earlier revealed it will kick off the new year with the arrival of the facelifted Picanto in January.

  • Specification and powertrains of the fourth-generation Kia Sorento referred to refers to the European market. Specification and powertrains for the South African market will be released closer to the local market introduction.