- The Kia Sorento gets a makeover inside and out for 2024
- Pricing to be announced | Price it your way
- On sale in the first quarter of 2024 | See Kia Sorento models for sale near you
The Kia Sorento has been a staple in the brand’s crossover SUV lineup since 2003, through four generations of production. 2024 brings a restyled version of the midsize family vehicle, following in the design footsteps of the rest of the lineup.
Kia has added a new trim level to the Sorento in the X-Pro, an off-road-ready version with increased towing capacity, 17-inch wheels, and all-terrain tires. The X-Pro trim is spreading through the Kia lineup, just as other brands like Honda and Subaru have added similar toughened-up packaging to their SUVs.
The Sorento gets freshened body and cabin features and new standard technologies for the new model year.
The Sorento comes with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine in the LX and S trims (191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque) with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Upper trim levels get a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque) with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available and standard on X-Line and X-Pro trims. In 2024, Kia will also produce a Sorento Hybrid and a Sorento Plug-in Hybrid model, which we will examine in separate articles.
Let’s take a look inside the restyled Sorento.
Updated Interior
The Sorento’s designers chose to emphasize the horizontal features on the new dashboard, using the air vents and controls to give a streamlined and modern look with a sense of openness. The optional panoramic curved display optimizes this look, connecting two 12.3-inch screens behind one bezel to create a landscape of graphic interest.
The X-Line and X-Pro trims get the option of new Olive Brown and Sage interior color combinations, which Kia says are “in response to the growing popularity of earth-toned elements in SUVs.”
Features and Tech
The Sorento is the first gasoline-engine Kia to get the brand’s next-generation Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) operating system. Kia promises faster processing in high fidelity and swipe controls (similar to tablet or smartphone operation) for frequently used actions. The new Sorento can get updates over the air (OTA) for continuous iteration of its systems. All three rows get USB-C ports, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all trim levels.
The Sorento benefits from the next generation of Kia’s Digital Key, so drivers can use an Apple or Samsung device or an NFC-enabled smart card as a virtual key to get into the vehicle, lock it, and be on their way. This technology is now hands-free – no need to hold the device.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
At this time, Kia has not revealed detailed specifications for the 2024 Sorento, which they displayed at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show. But as this new SUV is what the industry calls a “midcycle refresh” and not a total revamping, we assume cargo space will remain about the same as the 2023 model at 75.5 cubic feet behind the first row, 38.5 – 45.0 behind the second row, and 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row.
The Sorento can seat up to seven passengers, but the third row’s 29.6 inches of legroom (2023 measurement) indicates the rear passengers will probably be children or small adults. Having a third row can make the difference between a successful carpool experience and a 2-car nightmare, so having a midsize option in the lineup is good.
Build and price your version of the 2024 Kia Sorento
