You can sense an air of fresh confidence from Kia Philippines when we joined them for an experiential preview of the new Sorento Turbo Hybrid. The midsize, seven-seater SUV gets more than a nip-and-tuck as it now comes with a new powertrain and new safety tech.

At the core of this handsome-looking sport-ute is a 1.6-liter turbo hybrid mill delivering a combined total output of 232hp (most powerful in class) and 367Nm of torque to all four wheels. Thank goodness that a proper automatic transmission (not CVT) with six gears sends all that oomph to the asphalt with great efficiency and buttery smoothness.

But that’s just half of the pie. The other savory half comes in the form of tech wizardry (more like impressive engineering) that keeps the vehicle planted and extremely composed when performing evasive maneuvers (like when dodging careless pedestrians crossing the street or avoiding kamotes on the road). It’s basically Kia’s version of torque vectoring combined with yaw and pitch control taken a level up. Kia has coined this as Electrification-Vehicle Motion Control (E-VMC).

To get a better appreciation of this feature, the Ramirez family of professional drivers took us for a drive on a winding dirt course and a moose test (evasive maneuvering at speed) to demonstrate E-VMC in action. Riding shotgun during these demonstrations had me in awe as to how the chaos outside was the total opposite of what was experienced within the cabin.

In short, all the vehicle systems that make up E-VMC kept the frame as level as possible, and occupants comfortable. Even strong lateral g-forces associated with abrupt sharp turns were greatly subdued. What would usually make some suffer from motion sickness is now a thing of the past, thanks to this bit of Kia tech. Amazing stuff.

Kia DriveWise provides a slew of the latest advanced driving-assist features that make piloting the Sorento Turbo Hybrid a breeze despite its dimensions. Combined with a 12-speaker Bose audio system and built-in sounds of nature, the driving experience is nothing short of zen.

If you and your family are feeling adventurous, the smart all-wheel drive system comes with a useful selection of terrain modes. The Sorento Turbo Hybrid is definitely capable of going off the beaten path if one gets inclined to.

Of course, we cannot overlook the spacious and premium amenities of this sport-ute. Plush leather abound across all three rows integrated nicely with other premium materials and tasteful, thoughtful styling.

That styling language is executed very well on the outside, too, with an updated tiger-nose grille flanked by quad stacked LED headlamps accented with daytime running lights. The rear features continue the design cues from the front with vertical LED taillights. Furthermore, the stunning and robust body stands on a beautiful set of two-tone alloy wheels. Overall, the Sorento now fits right in with Kia’s current global design language.

The brand is marketing this enhanced fourth-generation model as an aspirational vehicle, and rightly so. Available in three feature-packed variants, the Sorento Turbo Hybrid is a compelling package aimed at those looking for an ideal balance of power, efficiency, advanced safety, comfort, and style:

• EX Turbo Hybrid – P2,188,000
• EX+ Turbo Hybrid – P2,588,000
• SX Turbo Hybrid AWD – P2,888,000

This is one product we encourage everyone to see and test for yourselves. Do check out the Kia Sorento Turbo Hybrid at the Glorietta (Palm Drive) Activity Center until February 9 to know and experience what this midsize SUV can offer you.