From http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/Tes...95518.html

By TONY NG

Peter Schreyer, Kia's current director of design, once called the Korean brand anonymous in an interview with BusinessWeek, just a few months after he joined Kia. But that interview occurred years ago and clearly, the Kia we know today has, since then, changed a lot.

Five years and two all-new vehicles that have enjoyed popular success (we're referring to the Cerato Forte and the two-door Koup here), Kia's lineup seems to get even stronger with a revitalised crossover, the Kia Sorento.

What's new?

For the market here, Kia has ditched the 4WD drivetrain in favour of a lighter front-wheel drive. There is a 4WD option box for you to tick against but we cannot fathom why anyone would want to tick that box, not here in this country anyway.

The Sorento also gets a downsized-for-the-times 2.4-litre Theta II engine, the same engine in the Koup - and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. This compares to the previous 3.5-litre model with a four-speed automatic. 95mm longer and 15mm lower, the Sorento is more aerodynamic than the previous model with a Cd of 0.38 - down from 0.425. All in all, these changes account for a weight loss of at least up to 215 kg (varies from model to model) and an increase in fuel efficiency.



Read full story on the link above.

I just saw one up close and personal...it's like a cross between a CRV and an Acura but I do agree with Frrrrrrunkis, it has lost it's identity and seems to just fit in with everyone else...

...which is not a bad thing if your looking to present a quality product for a reasonable price in a CUV.