2021 Kia Sorento pricing and specs detailed: New Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9 and Hyundai Santa Fe rival gets four-figure cost increase

Kia Australia has increased the fourth-generation Sorento’s pricing by four figures, with the new large SUV having only launched last September.

All variants are $1000 dearer, with the range now starting from $46,850 plus on-road costs for the S petrol FWD and topping out at $64,070 for the GT-Line diesel AWD (see full pricing table below).

Speaking to CarsGuide, a Kia Australia spokesperson confirmed no changes have been made to the Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9 and Hyundai Santa Fe rival’s standard specification.

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Instead, they said the Sorento’s price rise was prompted by “external factors, such as meeting exchange-rate pressures and business costs/profitability”.

For reference, when it came to like-for-like variants, the current seven-seater was $2160 to $3880 more expensive than its predecessor upon its launch six months ago.

As before, four grades are available, with the entry-level S, mid-range Sport and Sport+, and flagship GT-Line all coming with the choice of two engine-transmission combinations.

Coming standard is a 200kW/332Nm 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 petrol engine, which sends drive to the front wheels via an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.

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Alternatively, a 148kW/440Nm 2.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system can be optioned for $3000.

As reported, the Sorento range will expand twice this year, with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) due soon, while a ‘self-charging’ series-parallel hybrid will follow in the months afterwards.

2021 Kia Sorento pricing before on-road costs