Kia has announced a range of upgrades to the Sorento, the company’s seven-seat SUV.

The new Kia Sorento features a refreshed exterior and interior design, and is available with Kia’s latest safety and in-car connectivity technologies.

A new GT Line variant is also available, as well as a new eight-speed automatic transmission for the 2.2-litre diesel model.

The new Sorento features an increased proportion of soft touch materials and leather for a more premium cabin ambience. Kia’s designers have made a series of modifications to the Sorento’s exterior.These include revised front and rear bumpers, new LED head- and tail-lamps, and a new dark metallic finish to the grille.

The new eight-speed automatic transmission can shift more quickly than the outgoing six-speed unit. The greater choice of gears reduces CO2 emissions from 172 to 159g/km.

Inspired by the appearance of Kia’s higher-performance GT models, the Sorento GT Line features a range of upgrades. The exterior features four-lamp LED fog lights, red brake calipers, a more prominent sill step and subtle GT Line badging, designed to distinguish it from other Sorento models.

The interior of the GT Line features quilted seats, finished in black leather with contrasting grey stitching and GT Line embroided emblems. In addition, the new variant features unique gear shift paddles and a series of satin chrome highlights throughout the interior.

Final UK specification and pricing is not yet available but the car goes on sale across Europe from Q4 with a seven-year, 100,000 mile warranty.