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2013 Kia Sorento Revealed, Australian Debut Set For Q4 2012

Update June 23 2012: Interior images revealed.

Kia's 'mostly-new' 2013 Sorento has made its global debut in South Korea this week, revealing the updated body that will ride on top of a re-engineered platform.

Appearing just days aft

Mike Stevens

07:1518 June 2012

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2013 Kia Sorento Revealed, Australian Debut Set For Q4 2012

Update June 23 2012: Interior images revealed.

Kia's 'mostly-new' 2013 Sorento has made its global debut in South Korea this week, revealing the updated body that will ride on top of a re-engineered platform.

Appearing just days after an undisguised car was spied in its homeland, the overhauled 2013 Sorento will make its Australian debut in the fourth quarter of this year.

As revealed in earlier spy photos, the updated Sorento picks up new LED-loaded lights at both ends, along with a shorter grille, new bumpers and new wheels - including a large new 19-inch option.

The Sorento's cabin has been updated with new soft-touch surfaces, a new 8.0 inch centre display (up from the current 6.5-inch option) and a new LCD display in the instrument cluster.

There's also a new centre console with a straight-gate gear selector and, in automatic models, a leather-booted lever.

Thanks to the newly re-engineered body, the Sorento's optional panoramic sunroof also does away with the centre cross-beam, offering a clearer view and more natural light. The panoramic roof also features a powered blind.

"Since its introduction in 2009, the second-generation Kia Sorento has achieved more than 620,000 sales around the world," Kia's Thomas Oh said.

"Today, it is manufactured in Korea and the USA, attracting over 130,000 US customers last year to rank as the best-selling Kia model in the States for the second year in a row."

"We have given very careful attention to owners' feedback, and the upgraded Sorento is not just a cosmetic exercise but a major step forward for our popular SUV."

Australia

The 2013 Sorento will be launched in Australia in the fourth quarter of this year.

Full local specification and pricing will be announced closer to the launch date, but Kia Australia promises the new Sorento will benefit from the company's ongoing local ride and handling program.