Updated 2024 Kia Sorento debuts with assertive exterior, improved tech

The refreshed 2024 Kia Sorento has debuted at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show and it gets a major exterior redesign, and plenty of new on-board technologies. It is still based on the fourth-gen model which was launched back in 2020, but it looks bolder on the outside, and it gets a smarter, sleeker interior as well.

The updated 2024 Kia Sorento

The updated crossover also gets the new, more rugged-looking X-Line and X-Pro trim for its top-of-the-line SX-P variant. The SX trim meanwhile, may only be optioned with the X-Line package. Other variants of the new Sorento include the LX, S, and EX. 

So before a possible Philippine debut, let’s go over what’s new on the 2024 Sorento and what it can offer its prospective buyers. 

Exterior

On the outside, the biggest change can be found on its front fascia. It gets a more striking look thanks to a new pair of T-shaped LED daytime running lamps that outline its LED headlamp vertical stack. 

Between the two new headlamp clusters is a revamped grille which is much wider and more imposing than ever before. The angular shapes between the grille, lower bumper, and headlamps also get more vertical design cues, while its hood looks much broader thanks to a larger central bulge. 

It gets a bolder-looking exterior

Over to the side, the silhouette of the pre-facelift model was retained, and it still gets a pair of roof rails, black plastic cladding on the wheel arches, and familiar character lines. The new X-Pro off-road-oriented trim adds a set of 17-inch wheels wrapped with chunky all-terrain tires. The X-Line meanwhile, uses a set of 20-inch wheels with thinner road-going tires.  

Both the X-Line and X-Pro trims, further add to the look of the vehicle with a gloss-black front grille, and front and rear bumpers with molded-in skid plate garnishes.  

Updated Sorento from the rear

Interior

Step inside the 2024 Sorento and one will see a new cockpit that sports a minimalist dashboard with a cleanly integrated panoramic display. This was achieved by simply slimming down the previously chunky central automatic air conditioning vents to horizontal slats. In doing so, the dashboard is afforded a more roomy feel. The new digital driver’s display also eliminated the need for a bulgy part found on the outgoing model’s driver’s side dash. 

It gets a sleeker cockpit

According to Kia, the redesign gives the interior a more streamlined and modern aesthetic. Inside the new X-Line and X-Pro trims, more interior eye candy is present thanks to a new Olive Brown and Sage color combination. The higher-spec trims even get open pore wood garnishes. 

With the third row folded down

Depending on the trim, the US-spec Sorento can seat seven passengers. It also offers second-row captain seats or a 60:40 split-folding second row, a flat-folding third row, soft-touch leather surfaces, a push-to-start button, and a dial-type gear selector, among others. 

Tech & Safety

As mentioned, the refreshed Sorento gets a new panoramic display. This is made up of two seamlessly integrated components: a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. 

As usual, the central display gets smartphone integration software like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It does however, borrow some tech from the Kia EV9, specifically the brand’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC), as well as over-the-air updates. 

A closer look at the updated Sorento's cockpit

Over-the-air updates for the Sorento mean improvements to the infotainment software, safety features, and other software bits over time. The ccNC meanwhile, offers a dual-band global positioning system for better location accuracy. 

Other tech features found inside the new Sorento are a couple of USB-C ports and a Digital Key. The latter allows for remote locking and unlocking, and remote starting via a smartphone. 

Safety-wise, the refreshed Kia model gets the Highway Driving Assist 2 suite. This collection of safety features includes lane-centering assist, and road marking recognition, forward collision avoidance, among other technologies. Altogether, this provides the model with level 2 semi-autonomous driving. 

The Sorento's 12.3-inch central touchscreen

Interestingly, the new Sorento’s adaptive cruise control is notable for its “self-learning” tech. It notes a driver’s acceleration and braking habits to provide a more natural ride.  

Parking this Kia is also made easy thanks to a 360-degree monitor, as well as a digital rearview mirror which can turn into a rear display as needed. 

Engine & Performance

Under the hood of the updated Sorento are two powertrains. For the lower-spec versions, they get a 2.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine capable of producing up to 191 horsepower and 245 Nm of torque. The higher-spec trims meanwhile, get a beefier 2.5-liter turbocharged mill capable of generating 281 horsepower and 421 Nm of torque.

For the non-turbo version, it uses an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged version meanwhile, utilizes an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). 

Light off-roading is no problem for the Sorento X-Pro

On the Sorento SX equipped with the X-Pro, the refreshed Kia gets an active on-demand all-wheel-drive (AWD) system for better performance on slick surfaces. For even more traction, the X-Pro also gets a center-locking differential. An AWD system is also standard on the X-Line but it doesn’t get a locking diff. 

According to Kia, the refreshed Sorento will arrive in American dealerships sometime in the first quarter of 2024. Pricing for the model is yet to be released but this is expected to come out shortly before then. After that, the Korean car brand will introduce a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version of the refreshed crossover. 

A hybrid and PHEV version will come out in 2024

There’s no word yet whether this will reach the Philippine market, but we would want to see it on local roads as well. Particularly enticing is the new X-Pro, which we think might do well on provincial rough roads. 

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