Autoblog

Which models will join the 100,000 sales club this year?

Zach Bowman — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Toyota

2011 Toyota Camry - Click above for high-res image gallery

The number of vehicle models slated to cruise past the magic 100,000 mark this year is up. In a big way. According to Wards, there are around 39 percent more nameplates expected to clear the six-digit hurdle in 2010 compared to 2009. So far, sales-trends point to 32 cars and trucks expected to meet or exceed the goal, compared to 23 last year. So which models are the winners of 2010?

For the first time ever, vehicles like the Kia Sorento, Chevrolet Traverse and Nissan Versa are aiming to close out 2010 with more than 100,000 units sold. They join the ranks of mainstays like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado - two trucks that have already well-exceeded the 100k line, even with another full quarter left in the year. In all, a total of 16 cars and trucks have already performed similar feats of sales wizardry.

And who's the fairest of them all? That honor goes to the Toyota Camry. The Japanese automaker has already delivered a total of 220,061 units through August, putting it well ahead of any competition. That pace doesn't look to be slowing anytime soon, either.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Camry

[Source: Wards]

Which models will join the 100,000 sales club this year? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia recalling Soul, Sorento over wiring faults

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:32:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Hatchback, Kia

2010 Kia Soul and 2011 Kia Sorento - Click on either image for high-res gallery

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall on two Kia vehicles - the 2010 Soul and 2011 Sorento - to replace interior lighting wiring harnesses. These faulty units, supplied by JCI, can apparently cause an electrical short resulting in a fire. This recall affects 35,185 vehicles manufactured between September 7, 2009 and July 30, 2010.

In the Soul, the wiring harnesses in question are located in the front doors and control the funky accent illumination in the speakers. The Sorento has similar problems, but these wires power the lighting in both the front and rear door trim panels.

The full recall is expected to begin within the coming weeks and dealers will inspect and fix the faulty wiring harnesses free of charge. Hit the jump for the full information from NHTSA.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Kia Soul

Gallery: Review: 2011 Kia Sorento

Photos Copyright (C)2010 John Neff and Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Kia recalling Soul, Sorento over wiring faults

Kia recalling Soul, Sorento over wiring faults originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia to upgrade 2011 Sorento shock absorbers to soften ride

Chris Paukert — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Kia

2011 Kia Sorento SX - Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in March, Kia debuted a new top-shelf version of its most popular vehicle, the Sorento crossover, dubbed the 'SX.' The announcement included word of a redesigned front clip and more equipment, but we were most interested in the SX's lower ride height and Dual Flow Damper shocks, which Kia says deliver sporty handling without undue ride harshness.

As we would discover after spending a week traversing the Midwest's broken roads with a lesser Sorento EX model, that last bit about ride harshness is particularly important, because while the Sorento had a pleasant highway demeanor and tracked well, it was surprisingly stiff and brittle on potholed roads, acquitting itself more like a body-on-frame vehicle than the unibody CUV that it is. Fortunately, Kia noticed this ride quality issue and decided to take the costlier DFD dampers and employ them not just on the new SX model, but across the model's entire range beginning in the fourth quarter. While Kia officials we spoke with at an Atlanta press event this week stopped short of admitting that the Sorento's ride quality has been an issue, they did note that once engineers sampled the DFD setup on the SX, they liked the ride so much they decided to institute the new units on all Sorentos.

During the event, we had a chance to sample a pair of Sorento SX models, and over some of the city's choppy, unkept stretches of pavement, we noticed a markedly less flinty ride, despite the SX model's large and flashy 18-inch alloy wheels. While we'll wait to drive a DFD-equipped Sorento back on the Midwest's mean streets before we give it a clean bill of health, our backsides were encouraged by what they felt, and we're likewise pleased to see Kia taking quick action to address a sore spot on a new model.

How was the rest of the $32,195 SX? Rather accomplished, actually. We like the SX's new lower fascia and grille (though the standard Sorento's a good-looking proposition as well), and the 276-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 felt predictably more capable than the merely adequate 2.4-liter four-cylinder we drove recently. Other SX-specific alterations include LED taillamps and a healthy dollop of chrome inside-and-out. The added flash won't be to everyone's tastes, but it's quite tastefully done and we suspect Kia won't have trouble finding buyers.

That said, if you're merely in the market for a new Sorento LX or EX and you live in an area where the roads are less-than-perfect, might we suggest holding on to your current ride until the fourth quarter-builds trickle into your local dealer?

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sorento SX

Kia to upgrade 2011 Sorento shock absorbers to soften ride originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS performs rollover test on 12 mid-sized SUVs

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Crossover, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Jeep, Kia, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota

IIHS rollover tests for midsized SUVs - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has completed a round of rollover testing on 12 mid-sized SUVs (though most are technically CUVs, but whatevs), and the results show that some carmakers are exceeding federal rollover standards. Six of the haulers scored a Good rating, led by the 2010 Jeep Liberty, one scored Acceptable, and the remaining five were Marginal. The Good rating means a tested car has a roof that is twice as strong as the current government safety standard.

Five of the top six - the Chevrolet Equinox, 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander and Venza, and Kia Sorento - also scored Good marks for front-, side- and rear-occupant protection, and so earn the coveted classification of being an IIHS Top Safety Pick. If your CUV isn't listed, fear not, as the IIHS is testing them in groups.

Follow the jump for the full release, and you can have a look at the entire batch of tested vehicles in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: IIHS Rollover tests for CUVs

[Source: IIHS]

Continue reading IIHS performs rollover test on 12 mid-sized SUVs

IIHS performs rollover test on 12 mid-sized SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Kia Motors first-quarter profit quadruples

Zach Bowman — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Kia, Earnings/Financials

This whole recession thing has been good to Kia. Buyers have skidded away from high-riding luxury barges faster than cockroaches from a kitchen light and right into the loving arms of the Korean automaker's well-equipped, smartly priced, and newly competent products. As a result, the company has reportedly seen its net profits quadruple in the first three months of this year. Kia managed to rake in a total of $358 million dollars from January to March, compared to $88.2 million during the same period in 2009.

Much of the boost came from the fact that the company's global sales have exploded this year thanks in part to the new Sorento, Forte and Forte Koup. Kia moved 474,635 vehicles during the first-quarter of 2010 - more than 65 percent more than during the first-quarter of 2009.

[Source: Associated Press | Image: Jung Yeon-Je/Getty]

Report: Kia Motors first-quarter profit quadruples originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2010: 2011 Kia Sorento SX offers more standard kit, added visual flare

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:19:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Crossover, Kia

2011 Kia Sorento SX - Click above for high-res image gallery

Kia officially debuted the new SX trim level for the 2011 Sorento at this year's Atlanta Auto Show, but they also brought the dolled-up crossover to New York for a larger-scale unveiling. The Sorento is already off to a good start in the U.S. - it has already become Kia's top-selling vehicle for the first few months of 2010 - and the SX, which goes on sale this Summer, offers up a bit more standard equipment and style to the lineup. The revised front fascia is a bit buffer than lesser trims and the ride height has been lowered by about one inch, giving it a more aggressive stance.

Under the hood is Kia's 3.5-liter V6, which produces 276 horsepower. Upgrades over the lesser LX and EX models include things like sharp 18-inch wheels and Dual Flow Damper shock absorbers. Inside, leather seats are standard, as is a back-up camera, Infinity audio system and voice-activated navigation. Look for Kia's all-new UVO infotainment system to debut in the Sorento later this year. Check out our galleries below to see the SX in high-res glory.

Gallery: New York 2010: 2011 Kia Sorento SX

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sorento SX

New York 2010: 2011 Kia Sorento SX offers more standard kit, added visual flare originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia unveils new Sorento SX trim level in... magic eight-ball shake... Atlanta?

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Crossover, Kia

2011 Kia Sorento EX - Click above for high-res image gallery

Kia loves America - more specifically, Georgia. Not only did the automaker just open a new manufacturing facility there last fall, but it chose the illustrious Atlanta Auto Show to debut the latest addition to the 2011 Sorento line, the SX trim. We won't have official photos for another couple of days (enjoy our gallery of the EX model in the meantime), but the SX will feature a slightly more aggressive design elements over the lesser Sorentos - things like revised front and rear fascias, new 18-inch wheels, a chrome exhaust tip and LED taillamps. SX-trimmed Sorentos will be nearly half an inch lower to the ground, as well.

The SX will come standard with the Sorento's 276-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission - optional on LX and EX models. The only other major mechanical change is the addition of DFD (Dual Flow Damper) shock absorbers, which should provide better handling characteristics.

Inside, the SX comes standard with features that are optional on the EX model, such as leather-trimmed seats (heated up front), voice-activated navigation with a back-up camera and an Infinity audio system. Other changes to the cabin include a unique metallic gauge cluster with standard accent illumination and stainless steel pedals. Nifty.

Pricing for the Sorento SX has not yet been released, but we'd expect it to fall in the low-$30,000 price range. (By comparison, a similarly equipped EX model retails for just over $32,000.) SX models will start arriving at Kia dealers this Summer. Click through the jump to read the official details in Kia's press release.

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sorento

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Kia unveils new Sorento SX trim level in... *magic eight-ball shake*... Atlanta?

Kia unveils new Sorento SX trim level in... *magic eight-ball shake*... Atlanta? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia being sued for song in Super Bowl ad

Dan Roth — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Kia

Click above to view the video after the jump

With all of the lawsuits flying, at least Kia knows its commercials are being watched. First, it was a problem with fellow Korean automaker Hyundai using a Louis Vuitton-like fabric; now, Drive-In Music Company, Incorporated has tossed lawsuits at Kia, CBS, NFL Enterprises and creative agency David & Goliath, among others. At issue is the head-bobbingly catchy tune used in the TV spot for the Sorento, which debuted during the Super Bowl.

Drive-In Music agrees that the song is catchy, and contends that this is due to the fact that UK artist The Heavy's sampled Drive-In's artist Dyke and the Blazers. How Kia, CBS, D&G and everyone else becomes a party to this case of fair-use fuzziness is quite a head-scratcher, other than the obvious money grab, of course. There's a marked similarity between The Heavy's "How You Like Me Now" and Dyke and the Blazers' "Let A Woman Be A Woman," and it's not a stretch to imagine that the original song was the source of the riff. Some producers have record collections that run incomparably deep with some of the most obscure cuts; it's the way the Amen Break became so ubiquitous, for example.

Sampling has always been a hot potato, and while Drive-In may have cast an excessively wide net in this case, you can't blame the company for looking out for its interests. Still, it's certain that D&G did its best to clear all of the music and characters featured in the ad, which portrays characters like Muno from Yo Gabba Gabba, an overgrown sock monkey and toy robot reveling in grown-up fun. When clearing The Heavy's work with its label, the fact that the song had been released on the 2009 album "The House That Dirt Built" implies that label Counter Records had settled any samples contained therein. The fact that The Heavy's song was used by Kia in a commercial aired during the Super Bowl shouldn't make them targets. This issue appears to really be between Drive-In Music and Counter Records, though nobody stands to walk away with any money that way, which appears to be the whole point of tossing this cluster bomb in the first place. Videos posted after the jump for your review.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Continue reading Kia being sued for song in Super Bowl ad

Kia being sued for song in Super Bowl ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Kia shows third-quarter commercial for Sunday's Big Game

Chris Shunk — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Kia

Kia Big Game commercial - Click above to watch the video after the jump

We're not exactly sure when Super Bowl commercials became as big a story as the game itself, but we can't help but like a little entertainment during the breaks. Other than an advertisement for the aging Dodge Charger, the domestic automakers are staying out of the big game, but Kia had a good 2009 and the Korean automaker wants to get in on the Big Game action with one of its new products for 2010.

Kia picked up a pricey one minute spot during the third quarter of this year's title-deciding game, and it features life-sized toys living the high life in a brand new Sorento. The animated quintet hits the snow, does some water skiing and then goes all Hangover-style in Sin City before reality sets in and mom gets behind the wheel.

Hit the jump to watch the commercial for yourself. The cutsie character routine may be getting a bit tired, but Kia pulls off an entertaining commercial with kickin' tunes, a robot doing the robot and a six-foot tall teddy bear in a hot tub with a total hottie. And plenty more.

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Video: Kia shows third-quarter commercial for Sunday's Big Game

Video: Kia shows third-quarter commercial for Sunday's Big Game originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Kia Forte Koup may get brand's first-ever turbo

Dan Roth — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Kia, Rumormill

2010 Kia Forte Koup - Click above for high-res image gallery

As General Motors' Saturn brand ushers its owners toward orphan-make status, at least one company is swooping in to pick at the bones of its carcass. Kia has been doing well lately, unlike nearly everyone else, its sales actually grew this year. The brand has been adding dealers by picking up ex-Saturn stores and looks to continue building market share in the East, as well as in selected large cities on the West Coast. Kia's VP of sales, Tom Loveless tells Automotive News there has been no concerted plan to go after Saturn dealers, they just happen to be in the markets Kia wants to expand into, and that some ex-Hummer and Chrysler dealers have joined, as well.

More interesting than tales of dealer signage changes is what may be coming product-wise. The Soul and Forte have been getting attention, and more new stuff is on the way as the 2011 Sorento drops in January. The Optima and Sportage both get the re-do treatment for 2011, and a hybrid lands in 2012. To counter the geek-chic of battery power, word is the sharp-looking Forte Koup might get an iron lung hung off its engine, making it the brand's first turbocharged car. Loveless seems open to the idea, calling it "a natural extension, if it makes financial sense." Word.

Gallery: Kia Forte Koup

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: Kia Forte Koup may get brand's first-ever turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2009: Meet the "all-American" 2011 Kia Sorento

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossover, Kia, South Korea

2011 Kia Sorento- Click above for high-res image gallery

Perhaps the most important fact about the all new Kia Sorento isn't that it's a "right-sized" compact CUV. If Kia's boundless enthusiasm is any indication, the most important fact is that the 2011 Sorento is the first Kia designed and built in entirely in the USA. In fact, Kia claims that their all-new West Point, Georgia manufacturing plant will not only create 2,500 jobs (eventually - 1,200 for the moment), they say it is the most advanced Kia manufacturing facility in the world.

Then there's the vehicle they just started building in Georgia sixteen days ago, the 2011 Sorento. Kia's calling it "right-sized," and pointing out that Americans are leaving their biggie SUVs in droves and moving to CUVs, specifically compact CUVs. But not that compact - the Sorento is designed to sit five adults comfortably or seven full-size persons "occasionally." That's our kind of euphemism! The Sorento, however, is not just a schlepper. It's got a MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link suspension setup for the rear.

Coupled to a 276 horsepower V6 and an all-new built in-house six-speed automatic, the Sorento is able to get up and boogie a bit. Or at least as much as a top heavy CUV can boogie. Check out our First Drive of the Kia Sorento (a pre-production model from Korea) for more details. Long story short, a base Sorento will start at under $20,000 - about $1,500 less than the outgoing body-on-frame model.

Hyundai's making a big media push, taking out a Sorento ad in Times Square that will be visible when the ball drops on New Year's Eve. They're also put together a short commercial some of you may have seen in movie theaters over the weekend. This spot, featuring a young all-American boy on a bicycle, will be airing until January. Kia is also co-sponsoring the Chick-fil-A and the Outback college bowl games. As Kia mentioned repeatedly during the presentation, they feel the brand's got some momentum going. If the Sorento drives and works anywhere close to where Kia says it will, they might be right.

Gallery: LA 2009: 2011 Kia Sorento

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sorento

LA 2009: Meet the "all-American" 2011 Kia Sorento originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Kia Sorento finally crosses over

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Kia, First Drives

2011 Kia Sorento - Click above for high-res image gallery

Sometimes it's hard to remember what you did just yesterday, but think back to 2003 when Kia first introduced the Sorento mid-size SUV. At the time, the market was dominated by body-on-frame vehicles with real honest-to-goodness four-wheel-drive systems and rugged part-time transfer cases. The times, they are a changin'. Releasing a brand-new body-on-frame SUV into the marketplace these days, regardless of how good it may be - see Kia Borrego - is like bringing a sledgehammer to a knife fight.

Kia was able to hit the mark back in 2003 with its full-frame Sorento on account of clever marketing and a very attractive base price. That's just not good enough any longer. The Sport Utility Vehicle has officially handed the reins over to the Crossover, and Kia was left without a player in this newly-defined and ridiculously popular segment. Until now, that is. There will be no 2010 Sorento. As if to mark the death of the old vehicle and its rebirth into something completely different, Kia decided to completely skip the 2010 model year, and we're expecting good things from the 2011 Sorento after having been suitably impressed by Kia's two most recent vehicle launches, the Soul and Forte.

By now you've likely seen pictures of the new Sorento, and it looks good. But it takes much more than a pretty face to win over legions of CUV buyers with so many credible options to choose from. So, the big question is whether or not Kia has hit the mid-size crossover target square in the center with the latest version of its shapely 'ute, or if this particular arrow falls short of its intended trajectory. Keep reading to find out where the Sorento lands.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Kia Sorento

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Kia Sorento finally crosses over

First Drive: 2011 Kia Sorento finally crosses over originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Kia drops pics of the U.S. spec 2011 Sorento

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Kia

2011 Kia Sorento - click above for high-res image gallery

Kia America has just dropped the first official pics and details of the next generation Sorento. We first saw images of the Korean market model several months back, and unsurprisingly, the version we get looks to be pretty much unchanged. The Sorento is making the transition from midsize body-on-frame SUV to unibody crossover as it also comes to America for production. The handsome CUV will be the first product coming from Kia's new West Point, GA factory, with the line cranking up in November.

The new Sorento picks up about 4 inches in length and 3 inches in girth compared to the outgoing model. That, along with the new structure has allowed Kia to add a third row seat, although in a vehicle that is still only 184.4 inches long, those extra two seats will probably only be usable by small children.

For the first time, the Sorento will offer a four-cylinder engine in the lineup, a 172 horsepower, 2.4-liter unit in addition to the 273 hp 3.5-liter V6. We're guessing that the public will get its first look at the Sorento at either the Los Angeles or Detroit Auto Show in December, be we expect to get our mitts on it for a review before that. Either way, Kia tells us the Sorento will go on sale in January. Thanks to Keldon for the tip!

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sorento

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Officially Official: Kia drops pics of the U.S. spec 2011 Sorento

Officially Official: Kia drops pics of the U.S. spec 2011 Sorento originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Kia Sorento gets its video debut

Chris Shunk — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 10:13:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Crossover, Kia

2010 Kia Sorento - Click above for high-res image gallery

The outgoing Kia Sorento may be known more for its affordable price tag than its luxury appointments, but the Korean automaker is looking to change that with a 2010 overhaul. And when we say overhaul, the transformation is complete, save for the carryover name. The new Sorento goes from a body-on-frame SUV to a unibody crossover. Not only does the new Sorento have a third row of seats and more cargo space, it'll likely return superior fuel economy as well. The new Kia Sorento also wears more modern-looking sheet metal, a better looking interior, and amenities like iPod support. Engines for the US market haven't yet been announced, but we're expecting Kia's 3.8L V6 and a base 2.4L four cylinder model.

We've seen plenty of the Sorento in photos, and now we've got the first video of Kia's new crossover in motion. Hit the jump to watch. The onscreen text is Korean, but the spoken audio is done in English.

Gallery: 2010 Kia Sorento

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Continue reading New Kia Sorento gets its video debut

New Kia Sorento gets its video debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Apr 2009 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More 2010 Kia Sorento shots hit the web

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Spy Photos, SUV, Crossover, Kia, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for an image gallery of the 2010 Kia Sorento

Kia World has once again scored a series of spy shots of the upcoming 2010 Kia Sorento. Unlike the first generation of Kia's midsize 'ute, the new Sorento will eschew the body-on-frame underpinnings of traditional sport utility vehicles in favor of the unibody architecture that's currently all the rage. Engine choices should include a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 3.8-liter V6 borrowed from parent company Hyundai with over 270 horsepower. Automatic and manual transmissions will reportedly be available, both with six speeds. Markets outside the U.S. will also get diesel and LPG variants.

Styling is vastly different from the current Sorento, which is a pretty good looking vehicle in its own right. We detect at least a hint of Ford's current Kinetic design language, which is no bad thing. The 2010 Sorento is scheduled to make its formal debut at the Seoul Motor Show in early April, followed by its U.S. introduction at the New York Auto Show a few weeks later.

Gallery: 2010 Kia Sorento

[Source: Kia World]

More 2010 Kia Sorento shots hit the web originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Kia Sorento revealed!

Alex Nunez — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:32:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Kia, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for a gallery of the 2010 Kia Sorento

Kia World has scored the first official photos of the 2010 Kia Sorento, and from the looks of things, it's in keeping with the other marked improvements the automaker has been making to its lineup. In fairness, the current Sorento is no ugly duckling, with a shape that's evocative of the Jeep WJ Grand Cherokee and last-gen Lexus RX. Kia retains a traditional SUV profile with the latest version, but you can see that a thick D-pillar now resides aft of the side glass. In its report, OmniAuto notes that new, larger Sorento will have seven-passenger capability.

The new Sorento doesn't appear to mess with success, retaining the same basic shape while incorporating Kia's new, handsome corporate face and a clamshell hood. Its public debut is slated for the Seoul Motor Show next month, and Kia World reports that the the new SUV will be available with a Euro 5-compliant 2.0-liter clean diesel making 200 horsepower and 295-lb-ft of torque. Stateside, expect a 170-horsepower 2.4-liter four and and a 3.8-liter, 260-horse Lambda V6. Koreans also get a 2.7-liter LPG-powered engine. After its Seoul debut, we'd expect to see the Sorento pop up in Manhattan for the New York Auto Show.

Gallery: 2010 Kia Sorento

[Sources: Kia World, Omni Auto]

2010 Kia Sorento revealed! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2010 Kia Sorento

Michael Harley — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:35:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV

Not due to go on sale until next year, the 2010 Kia Sorento has been spied and photographed, by an Autoweek.nl reader. While the two pics don't reveal much, the front end bears more than a striking resemblance to the Kia KND-4 concept from the 2007 Seoul Motor Show. Unlike the current Kia Sorento, currently built on a body-on-frame platform, the next Sorento will share a unibody platform with the Hyundai Santa Fe. Engine choices are only speculative, but we're betting the Sorento will receive either 3.3-liter or 3.8-liter V6 powerplant options. The next-gen Sorento is scheduled to start production in Kia's new plant in West Point, Georgia, in 2009.

[Source: TheCarBlogger]

Spy Shots: 2010 Kia Sorento originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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