Dinamikjaya Motor, a subsidiary of Bermaz Auto and the official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, has launched the all-new 2023 Kia Sorento. The 6/7-seater SUV comes locally assembled (CKD) at the Inokom plant in Kulim.

Three variants are available – 2.5 2WD 7-seater, 2.5 AWD 6-seater, and 2.2D AWD 6-seater, priced at RM 211,498, RM 235,498, and RM 255,228 respectively.

The entry 2.5 2WD variant is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre petrol engine that makes 180 PS/232 Nm, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. The 2.5 AWD variant gets the same petrol engine and as its designation suggests, all-wheel drive system to power all four wheels.

Also read: Bermaz previews 2023 Kia Sorento for Malaysia - from RM 220k, 2.5L NA petrol or 2.2L turbo diesel, standard ADAS

The range-topping 2.2D AWD gets a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine with 202 PS/440 Nm, paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch (wet type) automatic transmission that sends power to all corners.

Exterior wise, the 2.5 2WD gets 18-inch wheels while the higher rung variants get 19-inch items and roof rails. Apart from those, all variants look virtually the same on the outside save for the badging at the rear.

Inside, standard features for all variants include:

• Keyless entry and start/stop
• Electric parking brake
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 8-way power adjustment for the front seats
• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity
• Powered tailgate
• Wireless charger

As for the differences between each variant, the entry 2.5 2WD variant gets:

• Fabric seats
• Analogue instrument cluster
• 6-speaker audio system
• Reverse camera

It also has 7 seats with a 2-3-2 seating configuration.

Moving up to the 2.5 AWD and 2.2D AWD, which are almost identically equipped, both get:

• Leatherette seats
• Head-up display
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Rear sunshades
• 360-degree view camera
• 12-speaker Bose sound system

Both the 2.5 AWD and 2.2D AWD have 6 seats with a 2-2-2 seating configuration. The only differences between the two higher-rung variants are the paddle shifters and terrain mode selection in the 2.2D AWD.

In terms of advanced driver-assistance features, all variants get the full suite of ADAS with:

• Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
• Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) - 2.5 AWD and 2.2D AWD only
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)
• Lane Following Assist (LFA)
• Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go

Also read: Koreans prefer Kia over Hyundai, Kia Sorento and Kia Carnival leads 2022 sales tally

Five colour choices are available for the 2023 Kia Sorento including Astra Blue, Meteor Grey, Snowflake White Pearl, Sonic Silver and Jet Black.

The 2023 Kia Sorento comes with a 5-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty, whichever comes first. It also comes with a 5-year Free Scheduled Maintenance, with a coverage period of up to five years and a mileage limit of 100,000km, whichever comes first.

Also read: Kia is now an SUV-driven company, Sportage and Sorento its global best sellers for 2022