The Sorento has been a significant part of Kia’s product portfolio for two decades. In that time, it has grown into a desirable SUV with generous standard features and plenty of tech. Kia updated the family hauler in 2021, bringing it into its fourth generation. For 2024, the Korean automaker is giving the Sorento a facelift, an interior update, and more tech. Kia revealed the refreshed 2024 Sorento SUV at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show. It will go on sale in the first quarter of 2024.
Kia will offer the updated Sorento in five primary trim levels: LX, S, EX, SX, and SX-P. Depending on the trim, the 3-row crossover SUV is available with an X-Line or X-Pro package. Kia plans to release hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants later in 2024 as 2025 models.
The new Sorento features a more upright grille with a squared-off shape that Kia says is meant to be reminiscent of its best-selling Telluride SUV. Amber LED daytime running lights and new vertical taillights bring a more striking look. Kia borrows styling elements from the all-electric EV9, which brings a wider grille, stacked LED projector headlights, and “Star Map” lighting elements. The Sorento also picks up a front skid plate in some configurations.
The 2024 Sorento’s cabin gets a few updates, including a new horizontal air vent design and more tech. The X-Line and X-Pro packages bring interior upgrades that include matte, open-pore wood trim, olive-brown or sage green interior color schemes, and other premium materials.
The 2024 Sorento comes standard with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Higher trims get a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque. Both engines come with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the more powerful mill gets a dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is available (standard on X-Line and X-Pro). Sorentos equipped with AWD are available with torque vectoring, which can shift torque between the wheels that need it, and the locking center differential lets the driver split power between the front and rear axles.
Kia equips a long list of standard safety tech on the 2024 Sorento, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, a driver monitoring system, speed limit assist, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Some safety equipment gets an update for 2024, including the forward-collision avoidance-assist system, which Kia says can better detect pedestrians, cyclists, and others in front of the vehicle.
New features for 2024 include a machine learning-based adaptive cruise control system that can adapt to the driver’s style of accelerating and braking. The new Highway Driving Assist 2 system can assist with automatic lane changes, lane centering, and more. The Sorento is also available with a rearview camera mirror, a 360-degree camera system, and more.
As of this writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has rated the crashworthiness of the updated 2024 Kia Sorento. However, the structurally similar 2023 Sorento earned a Top Safety Pick rating for the 2022 calendar year from the IIHS.
The 2024 Sorento’s infotainment screen runs on dual 12.3-inch displays in most configurations, though a 4.3-inch gauge cluster screen comes standard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, Bluetooth connectivity, USB inputs, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and more will come standard. Kia’s UVO infotainment software is one of the easiest to use. While it’s not the flashiest system, its simplicity makes it a joy to interact with while driving.
The Sorento has fierce competition, including the Hyundai Santa Fe, which has similar engineering and features. Buyers may also eye the Mitsubishi Outlander or Nissan Rogue, which are similar underneath their sheet metal. The Sorento’s strongest competition may come from Kia itself, as the Telluride presents a compelling alternative for not much more money.
Kia is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of November 16, 2023, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
Chris Teague is an experienced writer in the automotive and technology fields. In addition to JDPower.com, his work appears at Forbes, The Drive, Your Test Driver, and others.
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