Kia’s transformation continues, highlighted by the release of a teaser picture of what’s expected to be the 2023 Sorento small sport utility. It will make its North American debut courtesy of the internet Oct. 27.
The new model, which the company declines to identify in the release, is set to go on sale early in 2022 with “a variety of powerful and efficient engines and available in FWD and AWD, this all-new SUV will arrive with multiple standard advanced driver assistance systems and high-tech infotainment options,” the company says in the release.
The 2022 model made its debut in April and was unchanged for the new model year, in terms of its exterior. However, it did get a new LX Value Edition and the S trim level was replaced by the Nightfall edition.
More updates for 2023
The Sportage, which is essentially the middle child in Kia’s SUV family, gets a dramatic exterior update for 2023 — at least if the front end shown in the teaser photo is any indication. Following the current trend, the nose and grille of the new model is made much more dramatic with an oversized grille and boomerang-shaped LED lights pointing to the center of the vehicle.
The new version is much more aggressive looking than the docile pushover it replaces. In addition to the new lighting package, the bottom of the fascia gets a multicolor treatment, making it look more assertive and surlier.
This treatment also makes it look wider than the current model, although we won’t know that for sure until Oct. 27 at earliest. That new look makes it appear to be more capable, which is a big trend these days, one need only look at the new Subaru Wilderness line-up.
“Adventurists will find a new level of off-road capability with a model specifically designed to get off the beaten path with increased ground clearance, multiple driver-selectable terrain modes and dirt-grabbing all-terrain tires,” the company said in a statement.