As proof that the Philippine car market is important to Kia, the ongoing 4th Philippine International Motor Show serves as the venue for the updated Sorento's debut in the Asia-Pacific region.

Set to go on sale by October, the Sorento SUV hosts a number of significant improvements: a reengineered body shell; enhanced powertrain for best-in-class fuel economy with lower emissions; improved ride, handling and refinement; additional convenience and safety features; and an updated exterior.

Up front, new headlamps with LED positioning lights complement the new vertical-axis fog lights. At the back, the Sorento sports a new tailgate with LED rear combination lamps. New front and rear bumpers and 19-inch alloy wheels round out the vehicle's updated front and rear fascia.

Inside the five- or seven-seater cabin, there are more soft-touch surfaces plus a new LCD instrument cluster, new center stack with an eight-inch display screen, and a new console featuring a straight-gate selector with a leather-booted lever on automatic-transmission models.

"We're very excited to finally reveal the face-lifted Sorento," said Columbian Autocar Corporation president Ginia Domingo. "The Sorento has always been one of the favorites of Kia advocates that's why we worked really hard to bring the redesigned model as soon as possible. The driving experience in the face-lifted Sorento will definitely be a step up from its predecessors. The cabin is refreshingly quiet, allowing both driver and passenger to enjoy short and long trips."

CAC is the Philippine importer and distributor of Kia vehicles.

Photo by Marlon 'Taz' Dacumos