After readers of the two publications voted the fourth-generation Kia mid-sized SUV into the final round of the “Large SUVs” category, the Sorento managed to win over the 18-strong expert jury. In the final round of the competition, vehicles were put through their paces at the DEKRA Lausitzring track. The all-new Kia Sorento gained the highest number of points in its category and secured victory over the other two finalists, the Aston Martin DBX and BMW X6.

This is the second consecutive triumph for Kia, having received the Golden Steering Wheel award last year for its XCeed compact crossover for the “Best Car Under 35,000 Euros” category. The fourth-generation Sorento, based on a completely new Kia platform, went on-sale across Europe at the start of the fourth quarter, and is available in several markets with diesel and hybrid gasoline powertrains. A plug-in hybrid variant will also launch in early 2021.

The all-new Sorento is expected to arrive in the Philippines next year.

At 4.81 meters in length, the new Sorento is only one centimeter longer than its predecessor. However, thanks to its new platform and increased wheelbase, it offers much more space for up to seven occupants. It also has one of the largest luggage compartments in its segment with up to 910 liters.

The Sorento’s dynamic new design also gained it the “All-Wheel Drive Car of the Year 2020” for design by all-wheel drive specialist, Auto Bild Allrad.

The Golden Steering Wheel has been awarded annually since 1976 to the best new car models of the year. This year, 63 new vehicles were considered, across eight vehicle categories: city cars and superminis, compact cars, medium and luxury cars, small SUVs, medium SUVs, medium SUVs (plug-in hybrids), large SUVs, and sports cars. Prizes were also awarded for ‘Most Beautiful Car’, ‘Innovation of the Year’, ‘Best Car under 25,000 Euros’ and ‘Best Car under 35,000 Euros’.