Full details: Kia reveals new Sorento in Korea

Kia has launched its third-generation Sorento in Korea, ahead of its world motor show debut in Paris on October 2 and its Australian release next February.

As such, a full range of exterior and, for the first time, interior images has now been released, along with Korean specifications, following the first three official images earlier this month.

The new Sorento's seven-seat interior takes a dramatic step up over that of its five-year-old predecessor, which was launched here in October 2009 and facelifted in October 2012, let alone the original Sorento first seen Down Under in 2002.

It is dominated by a more upmarket dashboard, as previewed by an official design sketch, featuring a large central colour touch-screen.

Among the host of other interior advances are sliding and reclining middle-row seats, an enormous panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, push-button start, rear climate controls, and rear USB and 12-volt sockets.

New features include a multi-position powered tailgate, sound-view camera, JBL sound system, an electric park brake and wheel sizes up to 19-inch.

Australian specifications have not yet been confirmed, but new Sorento technologies available in Korea include multiple drive modes, a locking centre differential on all-wheel drive models and fuel-saving idle-stop system.

So far Kia has announced only details of domestic-market diesel models, powered by 2.0- and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engines and offered in both 2WD and AWD configuration.

Australia's outgoing Sorento – Kia's answer to the Toyota Kluger, Ford Territory, Holden Captiva 7, Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Pathfinder and Mazda CX-9 – is available in 2WD 3.5-litre V6 petrol and AWD 2.2-litre diesel guises, priced from $38,490.

Motoring.com.au understands the new Sorento model range will be similar, but the 2WD petrol variants to be positioned beneath the AWD diesel variants will this time be powered by either 3.5- or 3.3-litre V6 or 2.4-litre four-cylinder engines.

Kerb weights in Korea, where an entry-level five-seat 2.0-litre diesel model is available, range between 1840 and 1952kg.

As we've reported, the Mk3 Sorento now rides on an 80mm-longer 2780mm wheelbase (10mm shorter than the latest Kluger's) and is 95mm longer than before at 4780mm, but remains 85mm shorter than the Kluger.

However, the Sorento's roof height drops a further 15mm to 1685mm, making it 45mm lower than the Kluger. Combined with a broader 1890mm width, 'faster' windscreen, higher belt line and more rounded rear shoulders, it a more rakish side profile.

Also giving it a more sporting look are more intricate surface details including prominent body-side sculpting, plus wider wrap-around headlights, oversized triangular fog lights and a larger and more upright ‘tiger-nose’ grille.

The most stylish large SUV yet seen from Kia retains a number of design cues from the current model, including a long clamshell bonnet and coupe-like D-pillar design.

Kia says the MkIII Sorento's exterior design was led by its Namyang design studio in Korea, "with significant levels of input from the brand’s Frankfurt, Germany and Irvine, California design studios".

It claims the larger new German-influenced interior has a premium look and feel with more soft-touch surfaces, as well as improved comfort and dynamics.

The new Sorento's Australian release in February will be immediately followed by that of the next-generation Carnival people-mover, which was revealed at the New York show in April and goes on sale here in March, marking the renewal of Kia's entire model range.