Facelifted Kia Sorento coming (PHOTO)

New-look seven-seat family SUV coming in 2023 with fresh design and more tech.

The popular Kia Sorento will soon be given a thorough mid-life facelift and the upgraded seven-seat family SUV will arrive in Australia in late 2023 with a refreshed exterior design, more equipment and enhanced technology.

But as we’ve become accustomed to in today’s rapidly evolving new-car market, there will be price hikes across the range and the Toyota Kluger competitor will be more expensive than the model it replaces ($47,650 to 81,080 plus on-road costs).

The exterior design of the new Sorento has been speculatively rendered here by digital artist Nikita Chiuko based on spy shots taken in Europe a couple of weeks ago, and is set to get a more rugged look that takes its inspiration from the extra-large Kia Telluride SUV.

As these com-gens suggest, you can expect a more aggressive front fascia with more pronounced LED daytime running lights, but carsales understands the new Kia badge will be located on the bonnet – not on the grille as depicted here.

The rear-end is expected to get only minor visual enhancements over the existing Kia Sorento, which currently commands a circa-12-month wait list, but the biggest changes will take place inside the new model.

Indeed, top-spec versions of the Korean-built large SUV will get dual 12.3-inch digital screens similar to those in the closely related Kia Carnival people-mover. Current Sorento GT-Line variants max out with 10.25-inch central displays and 12.3-inch instrument screens.

The Kia Connect system (currently only available in the Kia Niro and coming next to the facelifted Seltos that’s due to arrive here late this year) will also be added.

Kia Connect allows owners to remotely operate car functions via their smartphone, such as starting the engine, locking the doors and so forth. Automatic SOS calls in the event of a serious collision are also part of the deal.

It’s not clear if there will be changes to the engine offering, which presently includes petrol, diesel and petrol-electric hybrid powertrains.

However, given the delivery delays with new Kia Sorentos, it’s likely that buyers who place a deposit for the large SUV from early 2023 will end up with the more expensive facelifted vehicle.