Facelifted Kia Sorento Hybrid launched in Singapore

Reinforcing Kia's range of electric and hybrid models here, the facelifted Kia Sorento Hybrid has officially landed in Singapore, offering fans of the brand who want seven seats on-board a stylish alternative to the recently-launched Kia Carnival Hybrid.

If you've been paying close attention to the latest models from the Korean firm, the refreshed styling of the Sorento Hybrid shouldn't feel foreign.

The new Sorento Hybrid should be immediately identifiable as a member of Kia's latest lineup of cars with its updated styling, thanks to new head lights, a new grille, new taillamps, and new front and rear bumpers

It remains a handsome and domineering SUV, but in line with Kia's current design language, it has gotten a revised front end with a new bumper, grille and slimmer taillights. 

Line it up next to the Kia EV9 and the familial links should be clear as day. Likewise, its rear has been tweaked slightly, with its previously separate taillamps now bridged together towards their top ends.

Kia has also upgraded the interior of the Sorento Hybrid with this facelift, with the SUV now getting a single 'curved panel' housing two 12.3-inch screens

It's not just cosmetic updates that the new Sorento Hybrid carries, however, but an upgraded cabin.

As we've seen from other recent Kia models (as well as many other modern cars), the dashboard is now dominated by a 'single curved panel', housing twin 12.3-inch screens for the car's infotainment touchscreen and digital driver's display (both also feature new graphics). A switchable control panel - a hallmark of Kia interiors - sits right beneath.

Modern Kia hallmark: The Sorento Hybrid has also gotten the firm's signature switchable control panel 

Like the Carnival, you'll note that the Sorento originally arrived on our shores with a turbodiesel engine under the hood - but in facelifted form, is now offered solely with a petrol-electric drivetrain.

Pop the Sorento Hybrid's squarish bonnet and one will find an updated hybrid powertrain, consisting of a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and a 64bhp electric motor, which jointly propel the car.

System output stands at 212bhp and 366Nm of torque, and with this power transmitted via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, Kia states that the Sorento Hybrid can go from 0 to 100km/h in 9.3 seconds. Though slightly down on overall power compared to the pre-facelifted Sorento Hybrid, this new setup does give the car more shove. 

The car's 1.6-litre turbocharged engine and electric motor work together to produce 212bhp and 366Nm of torque. Kia states that the Sorento Hybrid is quite the efficient machine, with a claimed fuel consumption of 19.6km/L

But to focus entirely on raw power figures would be a bit misguided, since the real draw of this hybrid powertrain is its efficiency; Kia claims the Sorento Hybrid can achieve an outstanding (and improved) fuel consumption of 19.6km/L. 

For something so large, it's also remarkable that the Sorento Hybrid has still managed to qualify for VES A2 banding.

As the final key highlight of this facelift, the Sorento Hybrid promises to be the most technologically advanced one yet thanks to its latest-generation driving assistance features. Best of all, you'll find that the car comes equipped with the full suite as standard. 

Another key highlight of the facelift is the Sorento Hybrid's suite of latest-generation safety assistance features 

These include sophisticated systems like Kia's Forward Collision Avoidance-Assistance 1.5, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Follow Assist, Safe Exit Assist, as well as Blind-Spot and Surround View Monitors. 

Expect the facelifted Sorento Hybrid to come fully loaded with equipment too even if you opt for 'just' the SX trim.

Standard equipment already includes ventilated front seats, as well as wireless connectivity for Apple Carplay and Android Auto 

As standard, buyers will already get to enjoy features such as eight-way powered front seats with ventilation functions, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, second and third row aircon vents, and the full range of safety features, as mentioned earlier. 

Step up to the SX Tech Pack trim, however, and the Sorento Hybrid will be decked out with an even broader assortment of creature comforts. 

The SX Tech Pack trim throws in more sumptuous features, including a powered panoramic sunroof, mood lighting, and a 12-speaker BOSE sound system

Here, occupants will get to enjoy ambient mood lighting, a powered panoramic sunroof, as well as have their favourite tunes blasting out from a 12-speaker BOSE sound system while on the road. Specially for the driver, the Sorento Hybrid SX Tech Pack even gets a 10-inch digital head-up display.

The Kia Sorento Hybrid is now on sale, with prices for the SX trim starting from $244,999 at launch (including COE).