2010 Kia Sorento teased ahead of Seoul Motor Show

There isn't a ton of new information since we first spoke about it last July, but Kia has released the first "official" image of the upcoming 2010 Kia Sorento. As reported earlier, the SUV's body-on-frame platform has been dumped in favor of a unibody platform. This will improve the ride at the expense of towing capacity and off-road ruggedness, but should pay dividends in terms of ride, handling and fuel economy. Expect the crossover to arrive with Kia's next-generation six-cylinder engines, and an efficient 2.2-liter 4-cylinder diesel powerplant for Europe pumping out an expected 200 hp with class-leading fuel economy. The 2010 Kia Sorento will debut at the Seoul Motor Show in April.
[Source: Kia World]











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jo 10:34AM (2/18/2009)
It's only a "tease" if you want to see it.
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Shawn 10:49AM (2/18/2009)
Can we stop the whole "Tease" ads now? I'm okay with teasing sports cars...because it is supposed to be sexy. Teasing a SUV is like watching a fat stripper struggle in a g-string.
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Nude Love 12:08PM (2/18/2009)
It looks like a lifted CTS wagon...
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bh 11:09AM (2/18/2009)
Some people are interested in what upcoming mainstream products will look like.
Not too surprisingly, the new Sorento seems to look like the third-gen Lexus RX, updating the current vehicle's resemblance to the first generation.
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Ligor 11:43AM (2/18/2009)
except form what I can tell i'll look better than the Lexus
DFDubMZ3 12:56PM (2/18/2009)
Definitely looks like a 3rd gen RX that's had some tasteful cosmetic surgery.
Torrent 11:20AM (2/18/2009)
Looks like an Endeavour mixed with a last gen MDX. I like it.
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alfaBAT9 11:51AM (2/18/2009)
Totally MDX, and with Toyota SUV rims!
Ligor 12:59PM (2/18/2009)
well
here is another one
the Saab 9-4x that is coming out will look very much like this Kia
especially the c pillar, which looks like the CTS wagon
if this comes to market first, then can we say the CTS and the Saab copied Kia?
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akboss302 1:08PM (2/18/2009)
Chances are slim of North America getting the diesel, but hopefully they have improved the engines and trimmed the weight to be more in line with what buyers expect. The current vehicle is attractive enough but it weighs the good part of a Hummer, chugs fuel like there's a gas leak, and manages fair enough off-road but it has been marketed to soccer moms, not adventure enthusiasts. Unibody and efficient engines could be just what this vehicle needs, as long as it comes with a healthy diet of about 300 lbs.
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Miyoshi 1:35PM (2/18/2009)
It looks like . . . your mom.
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Curtis 1:39PM (2/18/2009)
Whoa, it looks like a Lamborghini! Impressive...
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jsjs 1:52PM (2/18/2009)
Since it's only a side view, I don't know how anyone can say it looks like this (or that).
Meh, it's OK - looks like a typical SUV/crossover but w/ a really thick D pillar (don't particularly car for that or the greenhouse).
Looks aside, it seems that the engine/drivetrain will be much improved over the current Sorento.
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Other Man 5:39PM (2/18/2009)
I don't get it. The Veracruz is Hyunda's three seater for the family that probably needs a minivan but wants SUV style, hence why it's built on a car's platform.
The Borrego is Kia's three-seater for the family that wants something not only more ruggedly styled, but with V-8 grunt optionally and a full-frame design for towing and such.
That worked out beautifully and justified both companies in the same market. Now they flew the coop and have Kia doing both? Why?
Hyundai American cannot make the mistake of selling products that will just eat into eachother (visit Chevy-Saturn-Pontiac to see how it resolves).
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Tony 11:45PM (2/18/2009)
I don't really see this vehicle eating into Hyundai's own Sante Fe sales because they are entirely different vehicles as far as exterior design goes(and probably the interior as well), unlike a re badged Chevy Cobalt being sold as a Pontiac G5.
Personally I think the Sante Fe is ugly compared to this vehicle, and hopefully the fuel economy is good. I wouldn't mind replacing my Nissan X-trail with one.
P.V. 8:45PM (2/18/2009)
I see a lot of Acura MDX in that side profile, and that isn't a bad thing IMO. I hope the car when revealed in the full looks just as compelling as this teaser!
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