New 2024 Kia Sorento Interior, Price, Redesign – Kia wagers that a modest third-row seat will distinguish the Sorento from its platform-mate, the Hyundai Santa Fe, and some of today’s best-selling family wagons, such as the Ford Explorer and Lexus RX. The extra seats may stand out on a spec sheet, but the Sorento performs better in five-seat mode, with the fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain in less expensive models.
2024 Kia Sorento Redesign
This year, the 2024 Kia Sorento gains a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. More variants can be outfitted with robust X-Line accessories, and the majority of devices now feature a 10.3-inch touchscreen. The design of the newest Sorento is more perplexing than alluring. To stand out, it has ditched its generically attractive SUV elements in favor of metallic fillips and a razor-mesh grille. We see you, but we’re unsure what to make of the road-to-nowhere details and the cluttered, gaming-inspired design of the dashboard and buttons.
The Sorento drives with more engagement and maintains substantial control over its ride quality, but its standard 191-hp, the four-cylinder engine, lacks excitement. Its 281-hp turbo-4 engine provides excellent acceleration, albeit at the expense of increased powertrain noise. Likewise, the 227-hp hybrid system that receives our approval is efficient and swift. Even though it will cost more, we can’t wait to drive the new plug-in hybrid, using less gas and performing better.
The Sorento comfortably accommodates four adults. It has seven seats, but the middle passenger in the middle row and anyone in the rear will understand why these seats should be utilized sparingly. The second-row seats slide forward and back on tracks and have almost as much support as the comfortable front buckets. All Sorentos have a lot of space for cargo and many places to put small things. Some models even have USB ports built into the front seatbacks, which is a nice touch.
Interior
The 2024 Kia Sorento reportedly has seven seats. Make four of them large; the remainder should be medium or smaller. It receives an 8 for comfort and utility because of its comfortable seats and ample cargo space. The base version of the 189.4-inch-long, 110.0-inch-wheelbase Sorento includes three rows of cloth-covered seats. All models above the Sorento LX include a power driver’s seat and synthetic or genuine leather, and the majority can be equipped with a power front passenger seat.
The Sorentos we’ve driven had supportive front seats with a decent blend of strong bolsters and long-distance comfort, as well as an excellent driving position and ample lumbar support. With 41.1 inches of legroom and ample headroom, the majority of passengers can fit in the front seats, which are flanked by large storage bins in the console and doors. Row two has 40.7 inches of legroom and either a sliding bench seat or a pair of captain’s chairs. This means that a passenger who is 6 feet tall can sit behind another passenger who is also 6 feet tall. There are also close net pockets and USB ports for the passengers’ carry-ons.
The button that allows access to the third row reveals a cramped compartment with 29.6 inches of legroom and a seat bottom that is placed low. It is only ideal for small groups and short journeys. Fold it down to increase the crossover’s storage capacity from 12.6 cubic feet to up to 45.0 cubic feet behind the rear seats or up to 75.5 cubic feet behind the front row. Kia has not improved the Sorento’s fit and finish for the current model year. Even the most expensive models feature hard plastic, and the powertrains are noisier. Previous versions have felt more robust and substantial.
Engine
It’s quick enough in hybrid and turbo-4 configurations, but we haven’t been able to test the 191-hp inline-4 that accounts for the majority of its sales. Based on this powertrain’s performance incomparable products, we recommend one of the other three options. So long as the Sorento’s drive-mode selection is set to Sport, the Sorento’s 281-hp, 2.5-liter turbo-four enables it to launch with authority. In Normal mode, the turbo-dual-clutch four-speed transmission loses connection with the engine at low speeds.
It shifts slowly and does not respond quickly enough to requests for power transfer. Sport mode eliminates the transmission’s doubts and allows it to retain low speeds longer. The standard weight of the Sorento is 3,979 pounds, and it can weigh up to 4,065 pounds when equipped with the torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system and calorie-rich luxury extras such as 20-inch wheels.
The Sorento Hybrid is more compatible with the efficient family atmosphere. With 227 engine net from its 1.6-liter turbo-4, electric motors, battery pack, and 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, it is both smoother and slower than the spicier and noisier Sorento. It does get fuel economy numbers in the low 40s in the city, which we were able to confirm in all of our tests. With its 66.9-kilowatt electric motor and 13.8-kilowatt-hour battery, the plug-in hybrid should accelerate faster than the hybrid alone. It also has a 32-mile electric driving range.
2024 Kia Sorento Release Date and Price
The $30,665 Sorento LX features cloth upholstery, three rows of seats, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that is compatible with wifi connectivity. We prefer the $36,465 hybrid Sorento EX, which has a panoramic sunroof, wireless smartphone charging, and all-wheel drive. It is conceivable to spend over $55,000, but you shouldn’t.