Exterior design revisions, infotainment upgrades, and a new X-Pro package are among the Kia Sorento’s betterments for 2024.
Judging a vehicle’s appearance is always a subjective undertaking, but in my indisputable opinion the Sorento is a knockout.
Sorento is a midsize SUV with seating for up to seven passengers across three rows of seats. Seating capacity is reduced to six if a buyer opts for captain’s chairs instead of a bench for the second row.
Front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations are available. The standard engine is a 191-horsepower four-cylinder, and a 281-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder is available.
There are five basic Sorento trim levels, with pricing starting at $31,990 for the base LX model and ascending to the no-holds-barred X-Pro SX-Prestige at $47,390. Add another $1,375 for the destination charge on all trims.
Sorento goes fairly easy on fuel consumption. Of all variations in the gasoline-only lineup (there are hybrid Sorentos, not included here), the X-Pro SX-Prestige has the worst EPA rating: 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Not bad. In its defense, the X-Pro SX-Prestige comes standard with the more powerful turbo engine, AWD, and a higher tow rating than the other models that get better mileage.
The new X-Pro SX-Prestige model is designed to look rugged, which it does. It has 17-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, attractive X-Pro emblems inside and out, and an increased towing capacity up to 4,500 pounds. That’s about it. So, basically an appearance package. But the X-Pro SX-Prestige is also piled high with great features as standard equipment.
Sorento is on the small side for a three-row SUV, and the third row is where it takes the hit. First and second row seating is roomy; third row seating is the opposite. On the upside, the seat folds down flat to join the cargo area in creating 38.5 cubic feet of room when there would otherwise be only 12.6 cubic feet.
Overall, Sorento’s interior is highly attractive, functional, and well made. The quashing of unwanted noise is impressive. How quiet is Sorento’s cabin? So quiet you don’t even notice. Sorento is good at keeping the ride smooth, too. It stayed pretty calm, a miracle, along two of the currently worst Puget Sound regional freeway sections: I-5 south of Marysville and I-405 from Bellevue to Renton.
Sorento’s new infotainment system responds more quickly and in higher fidelity than the previous setup. It’s uncluttered, easy to use, and can receive over-the-air updates. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are now standard on all models.
2024 KIA SORENTO X-PRO SX-PRESTIGE
Base price, including destination charge: $48,765
Price as driven: $49,400
Mary Lowry is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a member and past president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. She lives in Snohomish County. Vehicles are provided by automotive manufacturers as a one-week loan for evaluation purposes only. Manufacturers do not control content of the reviews.
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