USA - New packaging options and enhanced technology make 2015 Sorento an even better deal

• Kia’s latest version of UVO telematics included in hot-selling CUV 
• 3.3-liter V6 and 2.4-liter 4-cylinder GDI engines offer fun-to-drive performance and fuel efficiency

A little more than a year ago, Kia Motors America (KMA) debuted a significantly redesigned Sorento CUV at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.  No mere refresh or facelift, the Sorento benefitted from an all-new chassis, a powerful new Gasoline Direct Injected (GDI) V6 engine, a restyled interior, a next-generation infotainment system and Kia’s first-ever Blind Spot Detection system.  Carrying over into the 2015 model year, the Sorento success story continues.  The 2015 Sorento remains a formidable competitor in the CUV segment, offering equal measures of value and sophistication.

Available in four trims – LX, EX, SX and SX Limited – the 2015 Sorento is offered with an all-aluminum 3.3-liter GDI V6, which produces a smooth 290 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and a stout 252 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,200 rpm, and a fuel-sipping 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder engine – enhanced for 2015 to provide greater fuel efficiency – producing 191 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 181 lb.-ft. of torque at a low 4,250 rpm.

Power is routed to either the front wheels or, optionally, to all four using an enhanced Torque On Demand all-wheel drive system that seamlessly directs power to the tire with the most traction and now includes Torque Vectoring Cornering Control (TVCC) for added stability under certain driving conditions.

Regardless of engine or driveline choice, the 2015 Sorento comes standard with a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission.  Also standard is Electric Motor Driven Power Steering for improved efficiency, and it’s quicker with 2.95 turns of the steering wheel, lock-to-lock.  The steering also features an available Flex Steer™ system that offers drivers a choice of three steering modes: Comfort, Normal and Sport.

The 2015 Sorento sports dynamic and sophisticated design elements, inside and out.  Aggressively styled front and rear fascias enhance the Sorento’s road presence with a lower, broader appearance up front and a visually wider stance at the rear.  For 2015, the signature Kia grille is enhanced with an anodized silver metal or black mesh appearance, and the lower valance has been opened to expose an aggressive cross-hatched intake.  Front LED positioning lamps create dramatic eyebrows while projector-style headlights peer from behind tapered clear lenses.  Available fog lights on all trim models are upended and pushed to the far corners of the front bumper for better forward and side visibility.  Horizontally positioned rear LED combination lamps embrace the turn signal and back-up lights, emitting a warm corona that makes the 2015 Sorento instantly recognizable from behind.  The Sorento rides on handsomely designed 17-, 18- and available 19-inch wheels.

Inside, the instrument panel deftly combines technology with proven ergonomics.  Standard on EX and available on the LX trim, the large center gauge cluster features a 7-inch TFT LCD that projects a digital speedometer flanked by easy-to-read analog instruments for the tachometer, fuel level and engine temperature. The TFT LCD readout also displays trip and vehicle information, along with navigation updates (optional).  The center stack’s appearance and layout convey a modern feel, and button positions are arranged for a more user-friendly experience.

The 2015 Sorento is designed with a large, vibrant touch screen.  Diagonally spanning eight inches, the optional screen integrates navigation, SiriusXM Traffic1 with real-time road information updates, a premium Infinity®2 audio system, SiruisXM Satellite Radios, Bluetooth® hands-free connectivity3, vehicle settings and UVO eServices4, Kia’s next generation of infotainment and telematics.  For 2015, navigation can be uncoupled from UVO and the Infinity sound system, delivering an added option for superior voice-recognition technology and premium sound quality. Carry-over options in the 2015 Sorento include a programmable power liftgate, panoramic sunroof with a one-piece, power-operated shade, integrated 2nd row sliding sunshades, available dual ventilated air-cooled front seats, a 115-volt power inverter, and illuminated door handle pockets.

New Subaru Outback Diesel lineartronic CVT

• 2.0-litre Boxer Diesel mated to Lineartronic CVT for the first time
• New drivetrain returns up to 44.8mpg (combined) and 166/km CO2
• Visual refresh, inside and out
• Improved ride and handling through chassis upgrades
• New model added to range: 2.0D SX Lineartronic
• On sale November 1. OTR price from £29,995

Launched in Europe in 1996, the original Subaru Outback pioneered the ‘Crossover’ concept, combining the comfort, interior space and superior on-road handling of a family estate with the off-road capability and ground clearance of a sports utility vehicle. 

Upgraded for the 2014 model year, Subaru engineers have now realised further improvements to the Outback, enhancing the car’s handling characteristics with revised suspension components and the latest incarnation of Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control.  The model also features a revised design for both the interior and exterior.

However the most significant change for the Outback is the introduction of a new powertrain pairing.  A world first, Subaru engineers have combined the popular 2.0-litre Boxer diesel engine with a Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) – bringing improvements in driveability, fuel economy and emissions while also widening the car’s appeal immensely.

With the new engine and gearbox combination the 2014 MY Subaru Outback will return 44.8 mpg and 166g/km CO2 on the combined cycle.

Visual refresh

The Outback line-up has received a visual upgrade, refreshing the vehicle’s looks.  Emphasising the Outback’s sense of toughness and its ability to tackle all roads and conditions, the latest model features body-coloured cladding in place of the previous iteration’s black plastic. 

Buyers now have a wider range of colours to choose from – including two new colours: Deep Sea Blue Pearl and Dark Grey Metallic – while larger fog lamps and the addition of a gloss black finish to the front headlamps give the car greater road presence than before.  The alloy wheels now have a gunmetal finish as standard.

The upgraded cabin of the latest Outback features clearer and more modern instrumentation – including the addition of a liquid crystal instrument cluster display and new materials for a number of dashboard elements.  Black metallic panels bring about a more modern and premium appearance and feel, while instruments within the cockpit have been moved to improve user-friendliness. 

Engaging handling, in all conditions

Subaru engineers have worked hard to further improve the Outback’s ride and handling, notably through alterations to the car’s front and rear suspension.  The result is a more stable ride and increased comfort for occupants.

The engine and front and rear suspension systems – the latter with a self-levelling feature as standard – are mounted on their own sub-frames, bringing about reduced vibration and noise.  The fourth-generation Outback’s double-wishbone rear suspension is compact enough to give buyers a 526-litre luggage area (with the rear seats upright).

The Outback continues to offer a significant 200mm of ground clearance, while the placement of the compact, horizontally-opposed engine and transmission afford a typically Subaru-like low centre of gravity, endowing the Outback with high levels of cornering stability.  

Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system features on all Outback models.  For those equipped with a manual transmission, the AWD technology is accompanied by Active Torque Split, and for those with the Lineartronic CVT it is coupled with a centre differential with viscous limited slip differential.  Both drivetrain layouts deliver reassuring driving dynamics in all conditions, both on- and off-road.

High levels of standard equipment

The 2014 MY Subaru Outback 2.0D Lineartronic variant will feature a new trim level, the SX.  High levels of standard equipment are featured inside and out.

For the exterior there are new 17-inch gunmetal alloy wheels, along with body-coloured bumpers, body-coloured power folding door mirrors (with integrated LED indicator repeaters), and matching colour-coded door handles.  Silver roof rails and a roof spoiler are other exterior accents, while a power-sliding glass sunroof (with sunshade) and UV protected front, side and rear glass also feature.  Self-levelling automatic HID headlamps and rain sensing wipers add convenience for the driver.

Further highlights include front fog lights, pop-up headlight washers, heated mirrors, rear window defogger with timer, front and side window defrosters, and a windscreen wiper de-icer function.

Inside, the new SX model provides the Outback with a wealth of useful equipment.  Audio and cruise control functions are present on the leather-trimmed steering wheel, while new sports seats at the front are heated to provide extra comfort when the weather turns cold.

For further comfort and convenience of driver and passengers, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, Bluetooth® hands-free system, audio system with USB connectivity and a VGA centre display with rear vision camera are all present.

New speedometer and rev counter dials feature in the Outback’s upgraded instrument binnacle, while a one-touch lane change facility has also been added which activates the indicators to flash three times.

Additional features of leather interior and satellite navigation are available as dealer fit options if the customers wish to upgrade.

NHTSA give new Kia Sorento 5 stars in the US.

• 5-Star rating enhances Sorento’s overall value proposition
• Long list of standard safety features allow Sorento to achieve high scores across all categories

Kia Motors America’s (KMA) top-selling CUV, the redesigned 2014 Sorento, has earned the highest possible overall safety rating – five stars – from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The new Sorento was recognized for its outstanding performance in frontal and side impact crash tests, as well as high marks in rollover testing.

 “Built on an all-new platform, the redesigned Sorento utilizes Kia’s advanced safety equipment and technologies to provide a high level of occupant protection for drivers and their families as measured by the U.S. government,” said Orth Hedrick, executive director, product planning, KMA. “Already a compelling entry in the compact CUV category, earning a 5-Star rating from NHTSA makes the Sorento an even stronger contender within its segment while underscoring Kia’s overall commitment to delivering safety and exceptional value to our customers.”

 In addition to NHTSA’s 5-Star rating, the 2014 Sorento has also been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).  It is built at Kia’s manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia and is available in four trim levels.

About the 2014 Sorento
The 2014 Sorento is no mere mid-cycle refresh.  It rides on an all-new platform and suspension system, and offers a new V6 engine and more passenger room as well as a new top-of-the-line trim level known as the SX Limited.  From a styling perspective, redesigned front and rear fascias incorporate new lighting elements, the 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheels have been redesigned and a larger 19-inch alloy wheel is offered on the SX as well as the all-new SX Limited.  Inside, the center rack, gear shift, instrument clusters, and soft-touch surfaces all feature a redesigned look.  Other available features now include second row sliding sunshades and heated front seats, panoramic sunroof, a programmable powered lift gate, heated second row seat bottoms, and more.  The 2014 Sorento was the first Kia vehicle to offer the next generation voice-activated telematics system, UVO eServices.

Kia:  One of the World’s Fastest Moving Global Automotive Brands
Kia Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the 500,000 unit mark for the first time.  With a full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities, affordable pricing and the lowest cost of ownership in the industry.  Kia recently joined the exclusive ranks of Interbrand’s “Top 100 Best Global Brands,” and is poised to continue its momentum with seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013.  Over the past decade Kia Motors has invested more than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company’s first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – which is responsible for the creation of more than 14,000 plant and supplier jobs.  The success of the U.S.-built* Optima and Sorento in two of the industry’s largest segments has fueled Kia’s rapid growth and is complemented by Kia’s comprehensive lineup which includes the Cadenza flagship sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, 5-door and Koup compacts, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.