Execs: Accessible hybrids; dimensions could also be ‘Goldilocks’ just-right dimension for a lot of; wonderful tech
Cons: Gradual base engine; hybrids don’t get up to date for 2024; cramped third row for a three-row SUV
The Kia Sorento has been up to date extensively for 2024. It additionally carries over largely unchanged. Huh?
You see, the variations powered solely by gasoline get a litany of updates and upgrades, together with bolder styling, a brand new tech interface encased inside a slick curved housing, extra options and a brand new X-Professional rugged trim degree. The 2024 Kia Sorento Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid don’t get any of that, and are the identical midsize, three-row SUV you would get final mannequin 12 months. They’ll be getting the identical updates, minus the X-Professional, for 2025.
So, the query have to be requested: Must you await them? Now we have not absolutely examined an up to date 2024 Sorento, however we’ve got seen it in individual, together with the inside, and whereas the cabin definitely has extra of a “wow” issue with that huge, wrap-around panel, it’s not a considerable leap over what was already fairly nice. The Sorento had (and the hybrids proceed to have) among the finest in-car expertise suites round – it’s not out of the realm of risk that the brand new system may very well be worse in some methods. Wouldn’t be the primary time that’s occurred. There additionally aren’t any noteworthy mechanical updates, aside from the off-road-oriented X-Professional, so the 2024 Sorento ought to theoretically drive the identical. The hybrids will drive precisely the identical, which is simply positive.
In the end, we really feel protected in saying that the 2024 Kia Sorento will stay one in all our top-recommended three-row SUVs. We’re optimistic concerning the hybrids, particularly as electrified household autos are so uncommon. We admire each Sorento’s in-betweener dimension for individuals who want extra space and seating than two-row compacts supply however don’t need to go all the best way as much as Telluride-sized household haulers. On the whole, the Sorento may be very well-rounded, which the updates shouldn’t change … no matter after they happen.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gas Financial system
What it is wish to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & Security Options
2025 Kia Sorento PHEV and 2024 Kia Sorento PHEV
What’s new for 2024?
The gas-only Sorento trims get new entrance styling and mildly refreshed rear styling. Inside, there’s a brand new infotainment system with a next-generation consumer interface, greater screens encased in a single curved housing and wi-fi Apple/Android connectivity throughout the board. A brand new X-Professional trim degree debuts, constructing upon the prevailing X-Line with BF Goodrich all-terrain tires wrapping 17-inch wheels. You’ll be able to learn extra about these modifications in our 2024 Kia Sorento preview.
The Sorento Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid successfully carry over unchanged for 2024, however will get the above model and infotainment updates for 2025. You’ll be able to see the visible modifications above.
What are the Sorento inside and in-car expertise like?
As famous above, the inside differs based mostly on powertrain. The up to date design (above in tan) is sleeker, with slim door-to-door air vents, touch-sensitive menu buttons and a wow-moment curved infotainment panel. The hybrids’ carry-over design (above in white and blue) options eight air vents, bodily buttons, a conventional instrument binnacle and dash-top display. It positively doesn’t look as good, however we additionally thought it seemed fairly good earlier than and nonetheless do. These touch-sensitive menu buttons are additionally a love-‘em-or-hate-‘em feature in other Kias (the hate-‘em group seems to be people who frequently adjust the climate control system), so depending on your point of view, functionality could actually be worse. The Sorento’s high-quality supplies and strong construct high quality are the identical with each, although.
Know-how is completely completely different. The Hybrid will get conventional gauges customary on the EX and an all-digital instrument panel on the SX. Each get the identical 10.25-inch infotainment display that runs a user-friendly, feature-packed interface that’s extra fashionable than numerous different carmakers’ infotainment techniques. We haven’t had any substantial expertise with the brand new interface discovered within the up to date gas-only variations, however its design is clearly a departure and its performance may very well be basically completely different in consequence. It might definitely be worse, if not for all customers, then some. Both means, the up to date system is supported by a 12.3-inch infotainment display. A second 12.3-inch display is used for the instrument panel within the SX and SX Status. It looks like there are nonetheless analog gauges for the LX, S and EX trim ranges, however we’ve got but to see images about how that’ll work with the brand new curved display housing.
How huge is the Sorento?
The Sorento has three rows of seats and is taken into account a midsize crossover, but it surely’s significantly smaller than different autos described as such. It is 8 inches shorter in size than the Telluride and 4 inches narrower, which is critical. It additionally has almost 2 fewer inches of third-row legroom (plus a seat that is a lot nearer to the ground and subsequently much less snug) and three.1 fewer inches of middle-row shoulder room. These are two dimensions almost definitely to make a distinction when loading up with individuals. All that stated, the Telluride is without doubt one of the greatest autos within the section, and the Sorento is not that far off the tempo. It even has extra third-row house than the Toyota Highlander. It is also vital to notice the Sorento has principally the identical exterior dimensions as two-row midsize crossovers – in that means, the third row can principally be regarded as a bonus characteristic for infrequent use.
One factor to bear in mind: A second-row bench seat is non-obligatory on most trims, that means there’s steadily solely six seats aboard with the second-row captain’s chairs and two-person third row. Most three-row crossovers as of late have seatbelts for seven or eight relying on the center seating row. Entry to that third row is also higher because the second row simply does not go away a lot of a spot when slid ahead.
Cargo house with the third row lowered (38.4 cubic toes) and all seats lowered (75.5) is best than what you may get in most two-row midsize SUVs (and a bit higher than what you get in a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4). The place it actually suffers relative different three-row crossovers is cargo house behind the raised third row. Its mere 12.6 cubic toes trails all these greater three-rows significantly, and when it comes to precise baggage, might barely match two carry-on curler suitcases in our testing. As such, utilizing all three rows is one thing that is unlikely to be finished for prolonged journeys, except your loved ones packs actually mild or invests in a roof-top service. If that funding appears probably, know that the X-Line has raised roof rails (pictured beneath) that typically make doing so loads simpler.
What are the Sorento gas economic system and efficiency specs?
The 2024 Sorento LX and S trim ranges come customary with a 2.5-liter inline-four that produces 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. A standard eight-speed computerized and front-wheel drive are customary, with all-wheel drive an possibility. Though engine output is just like what you’d discover in a CR-V or RAV4, the Sorento’s better weight leads to slower acceleration – Kia says this engine will get the Sorento from 0-62 mph (100 kph) in 9.5 seconds. EPA-estimated gas economic system was not obtainable on the time of this writing, however needs to be appreciably completely different than final 12 months’s that acquired 24 mpg metropolis, 29 mpg freeway and 26 mpg mixed with FWD and 23/25/24 with AWD.
All different trims get a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque – an output that exceeds that of larger three-row SUVs. Its 0-62 time is 7.4 seconds, which is extra aggressive, however hardly eye-popping given the obtainable energy and the way fast it instantly feels off the road. Plenty of credit score goes to all that torque. This engine is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated handbook transmission that for all intents and functions behaves like all outdated computerized. Final 12 months’s EPA gas economic system figures had been 22 mpg metropolis, 29 mpg freeway and 25 mpg mixed with FWD and 22/27/24 with AWD.
The usual Sorento Hybrid encompasses a mixture of a 1.6-liter inline-four and a single electrical motor for a mixed output of 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Not like most different hybrids, it depends on a conventional six-speed computerized transmission leading to it feeling a bit extra regular behind the wheel. Its 0-62 time falls in between the 2 above engines at 8.6 seconds. EPA gas economic system estimates for 2024 are 39 mpg metropolis, 35 mpg freeway and 37 mpg mixed with FWD and 36/33/35 with AWD.
The 2024 Sorento PHEV is a plug-in hybrid (beneath in white) that makes use of the identical gasoline engine however will get a extra highly effective electrical motor and an even bigger battery that, because the identify suggests, may be replenished by plugging in. Output is 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It may well journey an EPA-estimated 32 miles on electrical energy alone, which is nice for such a big PHEV. It will get a ranking of 79 miles-per-gallon equal from the EPA. Its acceleration needs to be the identical because the common hybrid.
What is the Sorento wish to drive?
Though we’ve got but to drive the gas-only 2024 Sorento fashions, nothing besides the brand new X-Professional would point out it’ll drive basically completely different than it did final 12 months. As such, count on the trip and dealing with to vary from common to mediocre relying on the model you get. The X-Traces have better floor clearance and subsequently a taller suspension you positively discover, because it feels slightly ponderous and extra susceptible to physique roll. Choosing one other trim degree cleans these physique motions up a bit. You additionally completely discover that the Sorento is a smaller car when behind the wheel than a Telluride or different three-row crossovers. On the similar time, it feels slightly extra substantial and premium, so to talk, than compact SUVs just like the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4 would.
In the end, the most important distinction will stay your alternative of powertrain. Anticipate the bottom engine to be awfully gradual (we are saying “expect” as a result of we’ve by no means examined one), whereas the turbo showcases critical guts. Its 281 hp and 311 lb-ft is an terrible lot to feed by way of the entrance wheels alone, and never surprisingly, the front-wheel-drive Sorento EX we examined demonstrated loads of torque steer when accelerating exhausting from a cease or powering out of a nook. You will additionally find yourself interacting with the steadiness management system extra typically, particularly on slippery surfaces. The obtainable all-wheel-drive system leads to the turbo Sorento feeling much less frenetic off the road and considerably extra assured in slippery circumstances. The Sorento’s dual-clutch automated handbook transmission is an atypical alternative for a household SUV and usually behaves like a standard computerized, although it’s possible you’ll discover it rolls again barely on inclines earlier than shortly participating as an adept driver of a handbook transmission may. Till that occurred to us, we had spent every week completely forgetting the Sorento had a DCT.
The hybrid is arguably a more sensible choice – even if you happen to’ll should reside with final 12 months’s design and tech. It doesn’t have the outright grunt of the non-hybrid turbo engine, however its 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet aren’t any slouch. And having each an electrical motor and turbocharger, it provides a lot of that torque low within the rev band, making for straightforward acceleration. It additionally encompasses a six-speed computerized as an alternative of a DCT. The result’s a lot smoother shifts and fewer of them, although it’s sluggish to make modifications. And naturally, the hybrid will get about 10 mpg higher than the gas-only Sorentos.
The Plug-In Hybrid successfully provides the very same expertise as soon as its 32 miles of electrical vary are exhausted. Whereas that is round, although, it will possibly present the quiet and punchy acceleration of an electrical automotive. In case you can maintain it plugged in at evening and have a round-trip commute inside its vary, this needs to be the way you’ll expertise the PHEV more often than not. There are two issues to bear in mind. First, it nonetheless has a six-speed computerized, that means you’ll expertise gear modifications when in electric-only mode. That’ll really feel completely regular for these coming from a gas-powered automotive, and completely weird ought to you’ve got expertise with a full EV. Second, the gasoline engine will kick on mechanically must you want stronger acceleration.
What different Kia Sorento evaluations can I learn?
2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Street Check Overview
We had been very a lot impressed by the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid however lamented that it was virtually not possible to get again in September 2022. These availability issues have since been alleviated to some extent.
Kia Sorento Baggage Check
Because it’s one of many smallest three-row SUVs, it should not be stunning that the Sorento has one of many smallest cargo areas behind its raised third row. We take a look at how a lot you’ll be able to match with all seats raised, plus how a lot is feasible if you happen to simply put one aspect of the 50/50-split third-row down.
2021 Kia Sorento SX Status X-Line Street Check
We overview the X-Line model of the range-topping SX Status. Although we appreciated it, we lamented that X-Line was unique to the priciest trim ranges. That is now not the case.
2021 Kia Sorento First Drive Overview
Our first overview of the Sorento, together with driving impressions of the EX and SX Status, each with the turbo engine.
What’s the 2024 Sorento value and the place is it constructed?
The Sorento hybrids are in-built Hwasung, South Korea, whereas the gas-only Sorento fashions are in-built West Level, Georgia. This has all the time been the case; it has nothing to do with the mannequin 12 months changeover.
Full pricing for the 2024 Sorento line-up was not obtainable on the time of this writing, however hybrid and plug-in-hybrid pricing was obtainable. Costs beneath embody the $1,325 vacation spot cost.
Hybrid EX FWD: $38,015
Hybrid EX AWD: $40,315
Hybrid SX Status AWD: $43,815
PHEV SX Status AWD: $51,315
In addition to the powertrain choices and the standard ladder-like escalation of kit with every trim degree, there are some elementary variations to pay attention to. As the value and identify would suggest, the SX Status could be the luxury-oriented trim. The X-Line is the outdoorsy journey alternative, boasting an additional inch of floor clearance, extra versatile raised roof rails and extra rugged styling cues. The brand new X-Professional goes additional by including BFGoodrich all-terrain tires wrapping 17-inch wheels.
What are the Sorento security scores and driver help options?
The Sorento not solely comes with numerous driver help techniques, however they’re among the many best-executed within the trade. These embody ahead collision warning with computerized emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping help, a driver inattention warning system and a rear occupant alert system. All however the LX additionally get blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, rear parking sensors and Protected Exit Help (warns rear seat occupants of visitors approaching from behind). The ahead collision warning system within the EX and SX trims can detect cyclists and ahead cross visitors. Adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality and lane-centering steering help is included within the S, EX, all hybrids and the PHEVs. The gas-only SX and SX Status get a more moderen, upgraded adaptive cruise management system that adjusts its acceleration tendencies based mostly on observing the driving force.
The Sorento was named a 2022 Prime Security Decide by the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security based mostly on its best-possible efficiency in all crash checks and sufficiently excessive scores for its crash-avoidance tech. This could assuredly carry over for 2024. A front-end redesign might change the headlight scores, although. Beforehand, the SX and SX Status acquired the best-possible “Good” whereas every little thing else acquired a “Poor.” In NHTSA crash testing, final 12 months’s Sorento obtained a four-star general ranking out of 5 with a four-star frontal and five-star aspect ranking.
