The Kia Sorento is one of the most popular midsize SUVs in the market, offering a spacious and versatile cabin, a range of powertrain options, and a stylish and modern design. For 2024, the Sorento gets a major facelift that further enhances its appeal, with a new front end, a larger infotainment screen, and a new X-Pro version that adds more ruggedness and capability. In this article, we will look at the revamped 2024 Kia Sorento and see how it compares to its competitors.
New Face, New Tech
The 2024 Kia Sorento features a completely redesigned front fascia that gives it a more aggressive and distinctive look. The new headlights have a boomerang shape that resembles the Kia EV6, and the new grille has a three-dimensional pattern that adds depth and character. The hood and bumper have also been reshaped to create a more dynamic and muscular profile.
The rear of the Sorento has also been updated, with new taillights that have a Starmap graphic that connects the two light bars on each side. The new alloy wheels, available in 17, 18, 19, or 20 inches, complete the exterior makeover of the Sorento.
Inside, the 2024 Kia Sorento boasts a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that runs on Kia’s latest software. The center console has a touch bar that can switch between climate and navigation controls, and the wireless charging pad has been relocated to a more convenient position. The Sorento also offers a range of comfort and convenience features, such as heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, a Bose premium sound system, and a smart power tailgate.
Power and Efficiency
The 2024 Kia Sorento continues to offer a variety of powertrain options, including gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variants. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 191 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The optional engine is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The hybrid version of the Sorento combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor and a 1.5-kWh battery pack, resulting in a total output of 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid Sorento has a six-speed automatic transmission and a front-wheel-drive system. The plug-in hybrid version of the Sorento uses the same engine and electric motor, but with a larger 13.8-kWh battery pack that enables an electric-only range of 32 miles. The plug-in hybrid Sorento has a six-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system.
The 2024 Kia Sorento offers impressive fuel economy ratings, especially for the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. The EPA estimates that the hybrid Sorento will achieve 39 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg combined, while the plug-in hybrid Sorento will get 79 MPGe combined. The gas-only Sorento models are also efficient, with the base engine rated at 24 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined, and the turbocharged engine rated at 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.
Safety and Driver Assistance
The 2024 Kia Sorento comes standard with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems known as Kia Drive Wise. These include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, driver attention warning, rear occupant alert, and rearview camera. The Sorento also offers optional features, such as blind spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, highway driving assist, parking collision avoidance, surround view monitor, and blind spot view monitor.
The 2024 Kia Sorento has not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) yet. Still, the 2023 model received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. Thanks to its strong body structure and numerous safety features, we expect the 2024 model to perform similarly well in safety tests.
X-Pro Version
The 2024 Kia Sorento introduces a new X-Pro version that adds more off-road capability and style to the SUV. The X-Pro version is based on the X-Line trim, which already has higher ground clearance, improved approach and departure angles, and a more advanced all-wheel-drive system with a center locking differential and downhill brake control. The X-Pro version further enhances the X-Line trim with a unique grille design, black exterior accents, exclusive 20-inch wheels, and a dual-tone roof.
The Kia Sorento X-Pro version also has a special interior theme, with black leather seats, red stitching, and metal pedals. The X-Pro version also has a head-up display, a wireless smartphone charger, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. The X-Pro version is only available with the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine and the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Comparison Table
The 2024 Kia Sorento faces some tough competition in the midsize SUV segment, especially from other three-row models that offer similar levels of space, performance, and technology. Here is a comparison table that shows how the 2024 Kia Sorento stacks up against some of its main rivals based on their base prices, engine outputs, fuel economy ratings, and cargo capacities.
| Model | Base Price | Engine | Horsepower | Torque | MPG (City/ Highway/ Combined) | Cargo Capacity (Behind 1st/ 2nd/ 3rd Row) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Kia Sorento | $30,090 | 2.5L I4 | 191 | 182 | 24/29/26 | 75.5/ 38.4/ 12.6 cu ft |
| 2022 Subaru Outback | $27,845 | 2.5L H4 | 182 | 176 | 26/33/29 | 75.7/ 32.5 cu ft |
| 2022 Chevrolet Blazer | $29,995 | 2.5L I4 | 193 | 188 | 21/27/23 | 64.2/30.5 cu ft |
| 2022 Honda Passport | $33,710 | 3.5L V6 | 280 | 262 | 20/25/22 | 77.9/ 41.2 cu ft |
Conclusion
The 2024 Kia Sorento is a well-rounded and attractive midsize SUV that offers a lot of value for the money. It has a spacious and comfortable cabin, a range of efficient and powerful powertrain options, a long list of standard and optional features, and a new X-Pro version that adds more off-road flair. The 2024 Kia Sorento is expected to arrive in the US market by the end of 2023, and it should be on the top of your list if you are looking for a versatile and reliable family SUV.
