The Kia Sorento has never been a popular car in Malaysia, but it does get its fair share of buyers. Kia wasn’t too late to the market with a relatively large SUV and they were one of the few to offer a hardy diesel-equipped model with 3 rows of seats – a rather niche market but one that does exist. Now we have a new model on the horizon and the company have taken to creating a couple of tough looking concepts to stir the imagination of potential customers.
These concepts are aimed at an American audience and were shown at SEMA 2020. Both were build by LGE-CTE Motorsports in California.
The one in matte Pine Green is known as the Yosemite Edition. It has unique 20″ wheels, a taller ride height, an advanced AWD system with snow mode, and a more rugged roof rack. Matte black accents adorn the vehicle’s external body.
In glossy “Desert Sand” with glossy black accents is the Sorento Zion Edition. This one trades the roof rack for a full length cargo top. It too gets its own set of unique 20″ wheels.
Don’t expect Kia to make quite an aggressive a marketing campaign when the new Sorento comes to Malaysia. The brand is undergoing something of a guardian change at the moment and might need some time to adjust to the transition before making its product offensive.
But if you’re just interested in learning more about these rugged Sorento concepts, check out the press release below.
PRESS RELEASE
Since the arrival of the award-winning Telluride last year and the head-turning Seltos in early 2020, Kia Motors America (KMA) has had its sights on building a robust and reimagined SUV line-up. As the next step in this capability-focused product strategy, the all-new 2021 Sorento is poised to bring customers a new level of trail-ready toughness not yet seen from the brand.
To celebrate this rugged personality, KMA unveiled a pair of custom-built Sorento SUVs – the Yosemite Edition and the Zion Edition – during the brand’s virtual national dealer meeting this week. The two wilderness-themed SUVs build upon the production Sorento X-Line model, a variant that highlights off-road prowess with unique 20-inch wheels, increased ride height to 8.3-in., improved approach/departure angles, more advanced AWD with snow-mode, and a more robust roof rack than the outgoing Sorento.
Customized by LGE-CTE Motorsports of San Dimas, CA, each vehicle receives its namesake and inspiration from the outdoor environments found in America’s great national parks. The Sorento Yosemite Edition is a dream build for high elevation adventuring and mountain living, painted in “Pine Green” in a matte finish with gloss and matte black accents. The Sorento Zion Edition is a desert escape vehicle made for stomping dunes, painted in “Desert Sand” in a gloss finish with gloss black accents.
Both feature custom fender flares that sit atop 20-inch wheels and 32-inch all-terrain tires. Body armor includes custom skid plates and brush guards in a satin chrome finish. For packing gear, the Yosemite edition dons a brawny roof rack, while the Zion Edition comes equipped with a full-length cargo top. The duo will be making special appearances around the country to capture the imagination of adventurers and enthusiasts, alike.
While most customers will not take their Sorento to the level of customization seen on the Yosemite and Zion Editions, many have shown a penchant for personalizing their Kia SUVs. To satisfy that desire, Kia will offer an exciting range of port-installed and dealer-installed accessories. Customers can tailor their Sorento to their lifestyle and needs with attachments such as roof rack crossbars, tow hitches for trailers, and side steps for easier load-in of toys.
The 2021 Kia Sorento will arrive in showrooms beginning in November
