Kia’s Tough New Sorentos are Custom-Built for Off-Roading

By Mark Jessen - News Published: 28 Dec 2020, Last Updated: 10 Dec 2023

Kia is continuing to add to its line of rugged and robust SUVs. Adding to the Telluride and the Seltos, Kia is introducing the all-new Sorento for 2021. This new sibling is more than just another SUV in al already saturated market of SUVs. The new Sorento delivers “a new level of trail-ready toughness not yet seen from the brand.”

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The trail-readiness of the new Sorento line starts with its dressings. Kia 2024 Kia EV9 Review, both of which were created by LGE-CTS Motorsports of San Dimas, California. The builds were inspired by the great outdoors, and are named for some of the most beautiful and rugged terrains around. The Sorento Yosemite Edition comes in a matte Pine Green colour with gloss and matte black accents.

The Sorento Zion Edition is finished in Desert Sand with a gloss finish and gloss black accents. But the colour of your paint isn’t really going to determine how well a car will function off-road. To step up their game there, Kia outfitted the production Sorento X-Line model with an increased ride height of 8.3 inches. That extra height made room for 20-inch wheels with 32-inch all-terrain tires. While you glide over many obstacles with that lift, just in case you run into something a bit higher, the Sorento has custom skid plates and brush guards.

The rig also has improved approach and departure angles for those more difficult trails. The Sorento also comes with advanced AWD with snow-mode so you’ll be ready for whatever the weather throws you. And getting your gear where you’re going is easier thanks to the roof rack on the Yosemite or the full-length cargo top on the Zion.

Even if you don’t go with one of the custom versions, you’ll still have plenty of options to personalise the new Kia Sorento. Kia is offering several port-installed as well as dealer-installed items like roof rack crossbars, side steps, and tow hitches. You can opt from a number of powertrains, starting with the four-cylinder engine that offers 281 horsepower. The new 2021 Kia Sorento pricing starts at $30,500.

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Mr Mark Jessen

Mark Jessen studied English at Brigham Young University, completing a double emphasis in creative writing and professional writing/editing. After graduating, Mark went to work for a small publisher as their book editor. After a brief time as a freelance writer, Mark entered the corporate world as a copywriter. These days, his hours are spent mostly in proofing and editing, though he continues to create content for a wide variety of projects. In 2017, Mark completed UCLA's Creative Writing Certification. A prolific writer, Mark has over 20 years of experience in journalism.

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