Is the Sorento an imported vehicle?
2 Answers
The Sorento is an imported vehicle. Below is relevant information: Imported vehicles refer to cars that are entirely manufactured overseas and then introduced into the market through import channels. Taking the latest Sorento model as an example, it is a mid-size SUV with the following specifications: length 4800mm, width 1890mm, height 1720mm, wheelbase 2780mm, fuel tank capacity 70L, curb weight 1895kg. It features a five-link independent front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension. The vehicle is powered by a 2.0T turbocharged engine delivering maximum horsepower of 185PS, maximum power of 136kW, and maximum torque of 400Nm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
As an ordinary car owner who has studied automobiles for many years, I am quite familiar with the historical positioning of the Sorento. When this Kia SUV was launched in the early 2000s, it was mainly produced at the Busan factory in South Korea, so when it entered the Chinese market, it was purely an imported model. Back then, I test-drove the 2005 model, which was relatively expensive but offered a strong driving feel, with taxes and customs procedures highlighting its imported status. However, as Kia later established joint ventures in China, such as local assembly of some models in Yancheng, Jiangsu after 2015, the domestically produced versions lowered the starting price. Today, the market features a mix of imported and domestically produced versions, and consumers need to check the nameplate to confirm the origin when making a purchase. Overall, the core image of the Sorento remains that of an imported SUV, which affects maintenance costs and second-hand value.
