Aside from ushering in Kia’s new brand identity in the Philippines, the brand is also introducing two new products. Of course, both vehicles sport the new logo.

First is the all-new Sorento. The popular three-row midsize crossover from Kia now enters its fourth generation (MQ4), losing all of its curves for a sharper, chiseled and aggressive design. It has a new tiger-nose grille, new LED lights with inverted-L DRLs, and split taillights. The theme also extends to the interior where premium materials such as leather come standard across the range, paired with a diamond-and-crosshatch motif.

Technology-wise, there’s an eight-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six speakers, a drive mode selector, a power tailgate, keyless entry, and a push-start system.

The top-of-the-line SX receives an eight-way heated and cooled power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, an electronic parking brake, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a wireless charger, and plenty of safety features such as a blind-spot monitor (which appears in the gauge cluster), a 360° camera, rear cross-traffic alert, front collision avoidance assist, and lane-keep assist.

A 2.2-liter Smartstream turbodiesel with 199hp and 441Nm propels the Sorento, and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power to the front wheels (no four-wheel-drive option, sorry). There’s a new chassis that’s been enlarged to 4,810mm long (+30mm), 1,900mm wide (+20mm), and 1,695mm tall (+5mm), with the wheelbase measuring at 2,815mm (+35mm) to increase cabin space.

It comes in two variants. The 4×2 SX DCT retails for P2,588,000 and will be available in the fourth week of November. The base 4×2 EX DCT will run you for P2,398,000, and will be here by January 2022. The Sorento comes in three colors: Aurora Black Pearl, Silky Silver, and Snow White Pearl.

Meanwhile, the Stonic, which has been Kia Philippines’ bestseller ever since its introduction, also receives a refresh in the form of an additional variant known as the Style Edition.

It receives a front lip with red accents on the bumper, side and rear skirts that feature silver garnishing, blacked-out alloy wheels, the new Kia logo, and “Style Edition” badging. Other than that, it’s still the same vehicle underneath. It is equipped with a 1.4-liter four-cylinder mill with 99hp and 132Nm, and paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. It features an eight-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reversing camera, and six speakers.

The Style Edition comes in two colors: Clear White and Prime Red. It is priced at P895,000, slotting itself in between EX and the LX.

On the horizon for Kia are electric vehicles (like the EV6) and purpose-built vehicles (like the K2500). There is no exact date on when these cars will arrive, but president Manny Aligada assured us that his company is working with the authorities to establish the required infrastructure to support EVs.

Are you excited in the new direction that Kia Philippines is taking?