2006 Kia Optima Ex Sedan 4-door 2.7l on 2040-cars

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Redesigned Kia Sorento lineup to include hybrid, plug-in models

The next generation of Kia's mid-size crossover will be electrified, a company executive confirmed Friday. The redesigned Kia Sorento, due in 2020 as a 2021 model, will be offered in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. Kia's European COO, Emilio Herrera, confirmed the new green models in an interview with Automotive News Europe. They will join the Niro (which is offered both as a PHEV and a pure EV) and the delayed 2021 Soul EV in Kia's stable of electrified crossovers.  Details are still slim, and while the U.S. is the largest potential market for the Sorento, American buyers have been hesitant to jump on larger hybrid models. At this point, it's not clear whether the two hybrid models will be included in the variants available with the new Sorento launches, or whether they will be added to the lineup later in the crossover's product cycle.  Autoblog has reached out to Kia for clarification on timing and availability and we will update this story if we learn any pertinent information.  We do know that the new Sorento is due in 2020, and will share its fundamental architecture with sister brand Hyundai's new Santa Fe. Hyundai has not announced formal plans to offer hybrid variants of the Santa Fe here in the states, but electrified powertrains were hinted at for Europe when the crossover was originally unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show back in 2018.  Like Hyundai, Kia has been working hard to overhaul its crossover and SUV lineup here in the United States, where customers are migrating to taller vehicles in droves. The introduction of the larger Telluride has made some room for the stretched Sorento to shrink back into its primary role as a two-row mid-sizer. Related Video    

Dancer who portrays Kia hamster accused of disability fraud

Tsk, tsk, dancing hamster. Kia's trio of anthropomorphic rodents may be down a member, as the actor that portrays one of the dancing hamsters has been arrested on charges of disability fraud. According to The Huffington Post, 27-year-old LeRoy Barnes accepted over $51,000 in disability payments following a workplace injury in 2010. While accepting the money, he's accused of performing under aliases, in addition to his costumed work for Kia. "Fraudulently collecting disability benefits is not only illegal, it disrespects legitimately injured Californians who are unable to work," Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said in a release obtained by HuffPo. Barnes was arrested back in March and posted $50,000 in bail the following day.

2021 Kia Sorento officially revealed with crisp new duds

Following an unofficial reveal in spy shots, the 2021 Kia Sorento crossover has just been shown officially by the automaker. The company released images of its chiseled exterior and rugged but upscale interior. On the outside, the Sorento picks up many of the cues established by the upcoming Optima/K5, including the broad and angular grille. The front and rear fascias have loads of creases and geometric openings, while the rest of the body is a bit more subtle. The profile is less upright than that of the Telluride, but the chrome window trim has a little dorsal fin on the lower section like the bigger crossover, as well as some of Kia's overseas wagons. The overall profile looks like the Sorento will still have room for an optional third row of seats like the current one. These official photos give us our best look yet at the Sorento's interior. It builds on the low and wide dashboard design of the Telluride, but gives a more aggressive, angled look, particularly with the center stack and climate controls. The stack and vents look as though they were folded forward, which angles the controls up and out toward the occupants. The vents are shaped like trapezoids, and the door handles have a beveled square design. You can also make out a diamond grid pattern in the aluminum-look trim on the dashboard, along with accent lights in the doors that mirror them. The Sorento is available with a 10.25-inch infotainment display and a 12.3-inch instrument screen. There are still a number of details left to learn about the Sorento, such as its powertrain, features and pricing. We should get more of that when it makes its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 3. The current Sorento is available with either a four-cylinder or V6 engine, and front- or all-wheel drive. The options for drive wheels will likely continue, though it's unclear what engine options will be available, since it's possible a V6, like the Telluride's 3.8-liter, could be used, or perhaps a turbocharged four-cylinder from the Optima/K5 and Sonata.