Kia tops Sorento range with GT-Line

THE $60,000 Kia has edged closer to reality with the addition of a flagship GT-Line variant to the Sorento large SUV range, priced at $58,490 plus on-road costs as part of a 2017 model-year update.

Former range-topping Platinum - consistently the top-selling version of Sorento - has crept up in price by $600 to $56,590 plus on-roads in return for the addition of standard autonomous emergency braking technology, a feature also fitted to the GT-Line.

Prices for the front-drive petrol and all-wheel-drive diesel Si and SLi models remain unchanged (the Platinum and GT-Line are AWD diesel-only) and gain LED daytime running lights plus a few cabin enhancements.

The new GT-Line includes all the standard equipment of a Platinum, plus red leather upholstery, paddle-shifters and chrome trim inside to go with unique exterior flourishes comprising red brake callipers behind the 19-inch chrome alloy wheels, stainless steel side steps and GT-Line badging.

Also visually elevating the GT-Line above other Sorento variants are the ‘ice cube’ LED fog lights echoing those of the smaller Sportage SUV.

Hyundai was first to break the $60K South Korean SUV barrier with its Santa Fe SR at $64,250, which is even sportier than the Sorento GT Line owing to the fitment of Brembo brakes, OZ Racing alloy wheels, H&R suspension tweaks and aggressive bodykit.

Like all other Kia models, the MY17 Sorento is backed by the brand’s seven-year aftercare program comprising unlimited-kilometre warranty, capped-price service plan and roadside assist for the duration.

To the end of September Sorento sales were up 33.1 per cent. The model holds a 3.5 share of the large SUV below-$70,000 segment.

2017 Kia Sorento pricing*

Si (a)	$40,990
Si CRDi AWD (a)	$44,490
SLi (a)	$45,990
SLi CRDi AWD (a)	$49,490
Platinum CRDi AWD (a)	$56,590
GT-Line CRDi AWD (a)	$58,490

*Excludes on-road costs