What Is the 2024 Kia Sorento?
The Kia Sorento is a three-row mid-size SUV with seating for up to seven. The base powertrain is a 191-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Optional is a 281-hp turbocharged version of this engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Sorento is also available with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The hybrid employs a gas-electric powertrain with a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine that produces 227 hp and returns an EPA-estimated 37 mpg in combined city/highway driving with front-wheel drive, 34 mpg with all-wheel drive. Sitting atop the range, the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid comes standard with AWD; its 261-hp gas-electric powertrain uses a turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and has an EPA-estimated electric driving range of 32 miles on a full charge.
If toting around little ones is part of your daily routine, you can see how the Sorento scored in our Car Seat Check. The Sorento’s rivals include the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Ascent and Toyota Highlander.
What’s New on the 2024 Kia Sorento?
The regular gas-engine Sorento gets a styling refresh that brings its looks more in line with Kia’s larger three-row Telluride, along with a new dashboard design that includes a standard 12.3-inch infotainment screen and an optional 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard, too. Also joining the line is an off-road-themed X-Pro trim that comes standard with AWD and chunky all-terrain tires.
Meanwhile, the hybrid and plug-in hybrid Sorentos are carried over with only minor trim changes for 2024; they will be refreshed for the 2025 model year.
What Features in the 2024 Kia Sorento Are Most Important?
Standard features include:
- 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
- Five USB ports
- Second- and third-row bench seats
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic emergency braking
- Blind spot warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane departure steering assist
- Rear automatic braking
Available features include:
- Panoramic moonroof
- Leather upholstery
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated second-row captain’s chairs
- Heated steering wheel
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Bose premium stereo
- 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
- Wireless device charging
- 360-degree camera system
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Hands-free power liftgate
Should I Buy the 2024 Kia Sorento?
The Sorento continues to impress with its cabin quality, a long roster of standard comfort and safety features, and bold exterior design. The Sorento’s smart refresh for 2024 makes a good thing that much better, though a few problems remain. These include a tight third row and a limited amount of cargo volume when the rear seats are occupied. Even so, many families might find the Sorento to be sized just right, offering the flexibility of a third row and more space all around than a compact SUV while being easier to park and maneuver than a larger three-row SUV would be. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid do without the regular Sorento’s updates for this model year, but they’ll both catch up for 2025.
