Next-gen Kia Sorento to go electric and look a lot more attractive

MANILA: The EV segment is gaining pace and automaker from around the world are now giving it all to attain momentum and grab on to a significant market share in the rapidly evolving division. Moreover, in case the fully- or partially-electrified vehicle is an SUV or a crossover, the automaker manages to take a significant lead since the SUV/crossover business is also observing a major surge. To do just that, Kia will soon introduce us to its all-new electrified mid-sized crossover in the form of the updated Sorento.

As reported by Automotive News Europe, Emilio Herrera, who is the Kia Europe's chief operating officer, has cited that the South Korean automobile manufacturer is on track to bring out the next-generation Sorento that will feature various powertrain options like hybrid and plug-in hybrid. Based on its cousin Hyundai Santa Fe, the upcoming Kia Sorento will continue to offer both petrol- and diesel-fed powertrains alongside the electrically-assisted hybrid variants. Furthermore, the electrified Sorento will be the first electrically-assisted mid-sized crossover by Kia.

As far as the appearance of the next-generation Kia Sorento is concerned, the mid-sized crossover is said to take its design cues from the Imagine EV concept. The South Korean displayed the stylish coupe-like crossover at the Geneva Motor Show, and many of the design elements should make their way to the revamped Sorento, if not all since the Imagine EV concept's silhouette might just be going a little overboard for the Sorento.

With the Mazda CX-9, Ford Explorer, and others already in the market, Kia must be feeling the heat inside of its R&D facilities. Also, the South Korean automobile manufacturer better channel the studies to the production line and bring out the all-new Sorento as early as possible. While Kia hasn't revealed a tentative date or period regarding the arrival of the next-generation Sorento, we might see the revisited mid-size crossover taking stepping on the podium sometime in 2021.

While there is time for the electrified Sorento to arrive, the Seltos EV will be hitting the Asian shores soon. The much popular compact-SUV in electric guise is expected to share its powertrain with the Kona EV. Going by the reports, Kia is looking forward to building 10,000 units of the EV SUV for the South Korean roads before going all guns blazing towards mass production.

Also Read: 2019 Kia Sorento launched, priced at Php 1,895,000