Kia Sorento (2025) Price & Specs

The facelifted Kia Sorento has finally hit the market in South Africa, with the local range now comprising a trio of 7-seater derivatives. Here’s what each one costs…

The facelifted Kia Sorento has officially hit the market in South Africa, with the South Korean firm’s local division trimming the range slightly to a trio of 7-seater derivatives.

As a reminder, the MQ4-series Sorento – the 4th iteration of this nameplate – touched down in Mzansi in January 2022, before the refreshed version was revealed overseas in November 2023. Now, that facelifted model has officially arrived.

While the pre-facelift line-up featured 4 derivatives, the updated portfolio comprises 3 variants, with the all-wheel-drive version of the EX grade falling away. As before, the range kicks off with the front-wheel-drive Sorento 2.2 CRDi EX+, which is now priced at R999 995. For the record, that represents a R51 000 increase over the pre-facelift line-up’s entry point.

Next comes the Sorento 2.2 CRDi SX AWD, priced from R1 199 995 (up a considerable R146 000 compared with the outgoing derivative), followed by the flagship Sorento 2.2 CRDi SXL AWD at R1 299 995 (priced some R166 000 higher than before).

From what we can tell, the 3-row Sorento’s powertrain carries over unchanged. Therefore, all 3 derivatives again employ a 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which here delivers 148 kW and 440 Nm via an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.

So, what has changed? Well, in addition to the adoption of Kia’s latest exterior design language as well as the fitment of new 20-inch alloy wheels (up from the 18- and 19-inch items previously used), the refreshed Sorento’s cabin scores features like a redesigned gear lever and “sustainable” interior trim.

Inside, you’ll also find a 12.3-inch touchscreen (with navigation) and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster. There’s also again a wireless smartphone charger, while the cabin upgrades to 6 USB-C ports (2 per row). Kia says it has furthermore “upgraded” the various advanced driver assistance systems on offer.

Here’s a quick rundown on the standard kit. The EX+ grade features smart entry (with push-button start), 8 airbags, parking sensors (fore and aft), a reverse-view camera, LED headlamps, LED front foglamps, synthetic leather upholstery, cruise control, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, dual-zone climate control and a 6-speaker sound system.

Stepping up to the SX trim level scores you powered front seats (including electric lumbar support for the driver, plus heating and ventilation for both pews), rear sun-shade blinds, “smart” cruise control, a height-adjustable powered tailgate, LED taillamps, rain-sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel, rear-seat check alert, driver-attention alert, rear-cross traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance assist, lane-following assist, lane-keep assist and blind-spot collision avoidance.

Finally, the range-topping SXL specification additionally boasts rear parking-collision avoidance assist, side parking sensors, a blind-spot monitor, an around-view monitor, interior mood lighting, an uprated instrument cluster, a 12-speaker Bose sound system and a head-up display.