2015 Kia Sorento - specs, engines and video

The 2015 Kia Sorento has been revealed, with the third generation of the SUV set to go on sale in the UK in the spring.

Measuring 95mm longer and 15mm lower than the current model – at 4780mm long and 1685mm high, with a wheelbase of 2780mm – the new Sorento takes on a more muscular appearance, incorporating elements from the Cross GT concept of 2013. 

While primarily designed in Korea, Kia says the new Sorento has also had input from European and US design teams. The brand's hallmarks, like its 'tiger-nose' front grille and swept-back headlights can be seen, alongside revised bumpers and a new headlight cluster design at the rear.

The increased exterior dimensions and extended wheelbase, which has gained 80mm, have liberated additional space in the cabin of this Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander rival.

Although the roofline is 15mm lower, repositioned seat cushions ensure increased headroom for occupants in all three rows. There's greater legroom too.

Cargo space also increases, thanks to a longer cargo bay floor. Load capacity with the third row seats folded flat is up from 515 to 605 litres. The new Sorento also features a new under-floor tonneau cover storage compartment.

Available in the UK only as a seven-seater, the new Sorento's second row splits 40/20/40. The second row seats in the seven-seat car are equipped with ‘remote folding’ controlled by two levers in the side of the cargo bay.

Interior styling was led by the brand’s European design team, based in Frankfurt, and Kia’s designers have used higher quality materials, with a higher proportion of soft-touch materials and leather.

The instrument cluster is wider and the wrap-around shape of the dashboard extends into the door trims.

Depending on market, customers will be able to specify the interior in either single-tone black or two-tone black and 'stone' colour schemes with cloth or leather trim. Additionally, brown or light grey colour schemes in leather trim will be offered as an option.

The Sorento features new technology. Depending on market, new features will include: an around-view monitor, with four cameras helping the driver to manoeuvre when parking, and a powered tailgate that opens the tailgate automatically when the key is ‘sensed’ in close proximity.

Buyers of the new Sorento will also be able to choose from a wealth of ‘active’ safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning system, front-collision warning, blind-spot detection and lane-change assist.

There will be five engines available with the new Sorento worldwide, but Europe will only receive a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel and a 2.4-litre petrol and only the diesel will be offered in the UK. The 194bhp 2.2-litre CRDi powerplant is likely to receive minor revisions to improve fuel economy and emissions. The current Sorento offers 47.9mpg on a combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 155g/km in manual form.