Back in March, Kia debuted a new top version of the Sorento crossover, dubbed the ‘SX.’ The announcement included word of a redesigned front clip and more equipment, with a lower ride height and Dual Flow Damper shocks, which Kia says deliver sporty handling without undue ride harshness.

The existing Sorento had a pleasant highway demeanor, but it was stiff and brittle on potholed roads, acquitting itself more like a body-on-frame vehicle than the unibody CUV that it is. Fortunately, Kia noticed this ride quality issue and decided to take the costlier DFD dampers and employ them not just on the new SX model, but across the model’s entire range beginning in the fourth quarter. Kia officials did note that once engineers sampled the DFD setup on the SX, they liked the ride so much they decided to institute the new units on all Sorento models.

Other SX-specific alterations include LED taillamps and chrome inside-and-out.

^[4]