The 2012 Kia Sorento will be available with the company’s hands-free UVO infotainment system, and its brand-spanking-new GDI direct-injection four-cylinder engine. With those new features, the big Kia crossover can really dance with the big guns from the likes of Ford.

Other available options include Kia’s YES Essential seat treatment, which makes the seats resistant to stains and static electricity and includes an anti-bacterial chemical. That, along with an entertainment system to be reckoned with, should keep the young family demographic very happy.

The Sorento’s new engine uses the same GDI setup as the upcoming 2012 Rio, but this time, it sees duty atop a 2.4-liter version of the brand’s Theta II architecture. Thanks to GDI, the 2012 Sorento should close in on 200 ponies, as opposed to the old engine’s 175.

Other changes for the 2012 model year include available power folding side mirrors, a chrome dual exhaust tip for the GDI-powered models, new five-spoke hyper finish wheel design for EX models and an added stainless step pad for the SX model.

2012 Kia Sorento Release Date

2012 Kia Sorento is expected to make its appearance in the showrooms by early 2011..