KIA is gearing up to make changes to its flagship models by announcing pricing and specifications for its new Sorento large SUV and a new look for the high performance Stinger.

While the facelifted Stinger is unlikely to be on the road in the UK before next year, the new Sorento is arriving now and will be priced from £38,845 - a substantial rise over the current model.

The new Sorento line up will top out at £46,945 and will feature two powertrains and three trim levels.

A plug-in hybrid will be available later in the year.

The Korean car maker is describing the new Sorento as the most high-tech Kia to date and all petrol powered versions will be automatic and powered by a 1.6-litre mild-hybrid turbo engine developing 226bhp.

The only diesel comes in mid-grade level 3 trim and is priced from £41,245.

It uses a 2.2-litre engine mated to an eight-speed auto box and has 199bhp on tap resulting in a 0 to 60 acceleration of 9.1 seconds, a top speed of 127mph and a claimed fuel return of 42.2mpg with emissions of 176g/km.

The petrol models are not quite as economical averaging between 40.9 to the gallon for the base Sorento and 38.2 for the a high specification version in level 4 trim.

Emissions for the petrol engines run from 158 to 168g/km and performance figures are a 0 to 60 acceleration of 8.7 seconds with a maximum of 119mph.

All versions are four-wheel-drive and come with seven seats while boot space is a generous 605 litres in five seat mode.

With all seven seats in use it falls to a more city car like 142 litres but drop all the rear seats and there's 1,662 litres of space making the Sorento bigger than most SUVs.

Standard equipment across the range includes LED lights front and rear and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an eight-inch central display screen as well as a full set of safety aids.

Those include a multi-collision brake assist device and an adaptive cruise control system with a stop and go set up for use in traffic.

Advanced stability controls are also a feature and the Sorento mild-hybrid can tow up to 1.65 tonnes. The diesel is even more capable with a towing limit of 2.5 tonnes.

Mid-grade level 3 models, priced from £41,245 for the diesel and £42,745 for the petrol version, have Kia's UvoConnect infotainment system while the top grade level 4 Sorento has full leather upholstery, a head up display, upgraded sound system and extra safety including a blind spot monitor which displays a high-resolution video feed in the driver's instrument cluster if the driver indicates to change lane with another vehicle hidden in their blind spot.

There is also a 360-degree around view monitor is incorporated into the touchscreen which works alongside the vehicle's parking collision-avoidance assist system.

Meanwhile, Kia has announced it is facelifting the Stinger some three years after the model was first released.

Although subtle the changes give the car more presence and include new LED headlamps and daytime running lights while at the back there are also changes to the light signature including an array of 10 LEDs in the indicators which flash in a a grid pattern mimicking the appearance of a chequered flag in motor racing.

There is also the option of wide-bore exhaust nacelles higher grades while inside the changes are designed to make the cockpit more appealing.

There's new trim on the steering wheel and around the instrument cluster, upgraded stitching and the choice of aluminium or carbon fibre finishes in the centre console.

Other changes include an ambient lighting set up which has 64 colours to go at.

Kia says the new Stinger will go on sale in Korea towards the end of the year with dates and specifications for UK models being announced later.