Is the Sorento domestically produced?
2 Answers
The Sorento is not domestically produced. This vehicle is available in two powertrain variants: a diesel version and a gasoline version. The diesel variant is equipped with a 2.0T diesel engine, delivering a maximum power of 136 kW and a maximum torque of 400 Nm. The gasoline variant features a 2.0L gasoline engine, producing a maximum power of 138 kW and a maximum torque of 241 Nm. Both engines are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Sorento is a mid-size SUV introduced by Kia, with body dimensions of 4800 mm in length, 1890 mm in width, and 1720 mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2780 mm.
The Sorento has always been sold in the Chinese market as an imported model, including the latest version. I often see people asking about this in car enthusiast groups, as many joint-venture brands have localized their main SUV models. However, Kia's production lines in China mainly focus on compact SUVs like the Sportage and KX5, while global models like the Sorento have maintained their imported status. In fact, the imported version has its advantages, such as more authentic overall quality and original spare parts, though the price is significantly higher than locally produced vehicles. A friend of mine took delivery of one last month, and the total cost was over 300,000 yuan—with the same budget, you could get a much higher-spec locally produced mid-size SUV. If space and seven seats are a priority, you might also consider competitors like the Highlander, which has already been localized.
