Just some days in the past, Kia teased an up to date Sorento debut on the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Present. Effectively, right here it’s. Kia’s smaller three-row (smaller than the Telluride, anyway) was fully redesigned for the 2021 mannequin yr, so there’s nothing dramatic to report right here, however there are just a few quality-of-life updates that ought to curiosity patrons who plan to maintain this household hauler long-term.
In contrast to a number of the objects on show at this yr’s L.A. present, the 2024 Kia Sorento is not only a retread of one thing we have seen elsewhere. Kia appears intent on retaining its little three-row present, and this replace includes greater than just some cheap exterior revisions and shifts in packaging. Actually, the seen adjustments are fairly placing for an intermediate replace.
Whereas the fundamental proportions and form of the greenhouse stay unchanged, the Sorento has gone by means of in depth rhinoplasty. The extensive entrance grille and headlight association on the 2023 mannequin (above left) was tossed solely. Changing it’s a (by some means bigger), extra upright grille and vertical headlights. Mixed with the already excessive beltline and rear “shoulders,” the brand new entrance finish makes the 2024 Sorento seem a lot taller and extra upright. Whether or not that is an enchancment or not? Effectively, we depart that as much as you.
The inside overhaul was equally in depth. Kia moved the infotainment controls to the middle stack, liberating up house to develop the display itself into the house beforehand occupied by the knobs and bezel. The central vents have modified orientation, not matching the tall facet vents on the sprint and liberating up house for the relocated infotainment buttons and cleansing up what was a busy, considerably overwrought look to the stack. Kia calls its new display setup a “panoramic” structure. It now includes two 12.3-inch screens (beforehand, the infotainment was simply 10.25 inches) on loaded fashions, whereas decrease trims get a 4.3-inch TFT for the cluster as a substitute.
Highlighting the inside function updates is the brand new infotainment software program. Beginning in 2024, wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay can be found on each Kia Sorento. Beforehand, solely the fashions with out the flowery, navigation-equipped touchscreen provided wi-fi smartphone integration; the upper trims required you to plug your cellphone in. No extra, says Kia. Order has been restored.
Mannequin yr 2024 may also mark the introduction of Kia’s off-road(ish) X-Professional trim to the Sorento lineup. The X-Professional package deal builds on the X-Line’s center-locking differential with normal 17-inch wheels with BF Goodrich all-terrain tires. It could actually additionally tow as much as 4,000 kilos — up from the 2023 mannequin’s 3,500 kilos.
Thus far, the powertrains seem to hold over just about unchanged. For gasoline fashions, the two.5-liter inline-four returns, producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automated and front-wheel drive stay normal, with all-wheel drive an choice. Above that, the two.5-liter turbocharged I4 produces 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Kia says the hybrid and plug-in fashions are within the means of being up to date and will probably be launched as 2025 fashions with the identical visible upgrades seen right here. Anticipate particulars of these nearer to their launch subsequent yr.
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