Is the Sorento domestically produced?

[SanHeidi]

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.

[PiperDella]

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.

[SanLila]

This vehicle indeed does not have a domestic production version; it has been purely imported since the first generation in 2002. When I changed my car the year before last, I specifically researched and found that its imported status has maintained its original design style, unlike some localized models that undergo domestic adjustments. However, this also leads to higher after-sales costs—for example, replacing a bumper requires waiting two weeks for parts to be shipped by sea. Currently, the domestic SUV market is highly competitive, with models like the Changan UNI-K offering comparable space and configurations at prices hundreds of thousands cheaper. Kia might believe the Sorento's positioning is unique enough to forgo domestic production, though the Carnival was localized last year, indicating the brand does have localization plans.

[BarrettMarie]

As a long-time fan of Korean cars, I've been following the Sorento since its second generation and can confirm it was never domestically produced. The biggest pain point of imported vehicles is the long parts delivery cycle - last time my cousin's headlight got cracked by a stone, it took a full twenty days waiting for shipment from Korea. However, the driving quality is truly outstanding, especially the diesel version's abundant low-end torque. Nowadays at similar price points you can get new energy vehicles like the Li L7, whose smart features are on a completely different level. For those who particularly prefer traditional fuel vehicles, the Hyundai Santa Fe has achieved localization with its three major components sharing lineage with the Sorento while being more affordable.

[MilaFitz]

The fact that the Sorento is fully imported can be easily verified in the 4S store's system. Last week, I accompanied a friend for maintenance on his 2015 model, and the part numbers on the repair list were all labeled in Korean. The salesperson mentioned that the main advantage of imported vehicles is the strict quality control, with each batch requiring separate 3C certification upon customs entry. However, the comprehensive import tax rate is about 38%, pushing the top-tier model's price up to 400,000 RMB. Currently, domestic mid-size SUVs like the Trumpchi GS8 top out at just 260,000 RMB, and even come with AR navigation and seat massage features. Kia's decision to locally produce the Carnival has only resulted in monthly sales of around a thousand units, which might explain why they consider the Sorento's localization to be a higher risk.