Kia Ireland have announced details of the face-lifted seven-seat Sorento model which will arrive in Ireland later this year.

Kia is offering its biggest model in diesel and petrol plug-in hybrid (PHEV): diesel models will arrive in Ireland in April, while PHEV models will arrive in July in time for the 242-registration period.

They are rather pleased that the new Sorento features a strong design refresh including new technology, colours and sustainable materials, while the new front-end design features vertical headlights and new logo placement, emphasising a bold SUV look.

At the front, a new bonnet design gives it an upscaled SUV look with unique vertical headlamps and a new radiator grille design with a 3D mesh pattern. Together, the vertical headlamps. The rear features a refreshed taillight design with diagonal LEDs, while the updated rear bumper and exhaust garnish give it a more rugged look.

Inside, there’s a clever multi-mode touchscreen panel, as seen on the Sportage and EV6 interior, giving quick access to climate and multimedia controls. The new Sorento also reflects the sustainability credentials of the brand by featuring artificial leather and recycled plastic (PET) cabin materials.

There will be will two drivetrains in Ireland, a 2.2 diesel engine coupled with an eight-speed dual clutch transmission while the petrol plug-in hybrid comes with a 1.6 T-GDI engine and a 13.8 kWh battery paired with a six-speed automatic transmission which also features 4WD as standard.

The new model is equipped with the latest technology to increase safety, reliability, and comfort. Dual panoramic integrated displays grace the interior: a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and another 12.3-inch digital driver instrument cluster.

The infotainment system has been designed so that Kia can send software and map updates to the car over-the-air which removes the need to make a special visit to a dealership.

The new Sorento is available with wireless phone charging, multiple USB-C charging ports throughout the cabin and fingerprint recognition which allows the driver to link the user profile and individual driver set up preferences.

In addition, the new Sorento has a unique Digital Key that allows owners to unlock and start the vehicle with only a smartphone or smartwatch. Drivers can remotely share the Digital Key with other drivers for convenient and easy access.

Using Kia Connect telematics, drivers of the Sorento PHEV can also view and control vehicle charge status, plan a route and access onboard features such as charge station proximity, live weather, and real-time traffic alerts.

The new Sorento also features Kia’s Advanced Driving Assistance Safety (ADAS) features including Highway Drive Assist 2.0 (HDA2) with lane change assist and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 (FCA2), which is upgraded to include junction turning and crossing, evasive steering assist, lane change oncoming, and lane change side.

The new Sorento is available with Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Lane Keep Assist (LKAS) and is fitted with up to seven airbags: dual front airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags with rollover sensor, a new second row rear thorax airbag, and a front centre airbag. The front centre airbag provides additional head protection for front-seat occupants and is designed to prevent their heads coming into contact during a collision.

The new Sorento will go on sale in Ireland from April 2024, with pricing and specification to be announced early in the coming weeks. As with all Kia models, the new Sorento comes with Kia’s seven-year, 150,000-kilometre    warranty as standard.

Pictured: The new Kia Sorento.