Following the emissions cheating scandals that have impacted Volkswagen and several other manufacturers, the future of diesel vehicles appears uncertain. However, Kia Motors America is bucking this trend, as confirmed by James Hope, National Manager of Product Communications, who revealed to The Drive that the company plans to introduce a diesel variant of the Sorento crossover in the United States.
Kia made the initial announcement at last month’s Los Angeles Auto Show, according to Hope. “We have yet to disclose what the final engine will be,” he stated. “Kia manufactures multiple engines, and we expect to share more details as we approach the launch date.”
A strong contender for the Sorento’s diesel engine could be Kia’s 2.2-liter inline-four, which is popular in Europe. It boasts a power output of 197 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, which fits well between the existing four-cylinder and six-cylinder gasoline options. This engine would likely offer competitive fuel efficiency and towing capability, especially when compared to the current 3.3-liter V6 that has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
While it may seem unusual for Kia to be venturing into the diesel market in the U.S. at a time when many brands are withdrawing their diesel offerings, the company sees a potential opportunity in this void.
“Diesel is just one of several alternative fuel options that Kia plans to roll out over the next few years, alongside more electric vehicles, hybrids, and a fuel cell model,” explained Hope. If diesel is classified as an alternative fuel, Kia’s decision to explore this option in the U.S. makes sense, particularly since the company has been successfully selling diesel vehicles in other global markets.
It seems likely that the delay in providing a release date for the diesel Sorento is largely due to the need for EPA certification, which is expected to become even more rigorous following the recent emissions scandals involving other manufacturers.
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