The 2024 Kia Sorento SUV has arrived with a refresh, positioned as a compelling 3-row option for families and adventurers alike. Sitting neatly beneath the larger Telluride and above the compact Sportage and Niro, the Sorento appeals to those who admire the Telluride but seek a more budget-friendly and slightly less spacious alternative. For approximately $5,000 less than its larger sibling, the Sorento delivers many of the sought-after features found in the Telluride, making it a smart choice for discerning SUV buyers.
Striking Exterior Design
From every angle, the 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige boasts an undeniably attractive exterior. The updated “tiger nose” grille, a signature element of modern Kia design, commands attention. Complementing the grille are the striking 20-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, adding a touch of sporty sophistication. The Sorento’s bold lines, sculpted hood, and rear spoiler – cleverly concealing the rear wiper, a premium feature often reserved for higher-priced SUVs – contribute to its overall refined aesthetic. This attention to detail elevates the Sorento beyond the typical family SUV.
The redesigned LED headlights provide a modern and distinctive front lighting signature. Along the lower perimeter of the SUV, between the wheel arches, a unique flat black trim detail adds a rugged yet stylish touch. The review model showcased a new and appealing paint color called Road Rider Brown, available as a no-cost option, further enhancing the Sorento’s visual appeal.
The SX-Prestige trim represents the pinnacle of the Sorento lineup, offering the most luxurious and feature-rich experience. New for 2024 is the X-Pro designation, surpassing the previous X-Line, and signaling enhanced off-road capabilities. The X-Pro trim includes standard all-wheel drive, a more rugged exterior appearance with unique styling cues, larger all-terrain tires for improved grip, and increased ground clearance for better off-road prowess and a commanding driving position. While marketed as the most off-road-capable Sorento, the X-Pro SX Prestige still maintains a distinct luxury SUV feel, blending ruggedness with refinement.
Potent Powertrain
Beneath the hood of the 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige resides a powerful 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. This engine delivers a robust 281 horsepower and an even more impressive 311 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged powerplant provides brisk acceleration from a standstill, particularly noticeable in Sport mode. Power is delivered through a responsive 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, complete with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for those seeking a more engaging driving experience.
Luxurious and Tech-Forward Interior
Stepping inside the 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige reveals an interior that genuinely evokes a sense of luxury. The cabin’s first impression is impressive, highlighting premium materials and thoughtful design. The seats are upholstered in genuine leather (not Kia’s SynTex synthetic leather), featuring subtle bolstering for enhanced comfort and support. Detailed stitching accents are present throughout the cabin, and soft-touch materials in contrasting colors adorn the door panels and flow seamlessly across the dashboard, creating a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere.
Upon pressing the push-button start, the stunning 12.3-inch digital driver gauge cluster illuminates, presenting a vibrant and customizable information display. This digital cluster can be tailored to driver preferences via controls located on the heated, leather-wrapped, and tilt-adjustable steering wheel, offering a personalized driving experience.
The center console is thoughtfully designed and highly functional, featuring three USB ports and a convenient wireless phone charger. Two cupholders and an additional storage cubby provide ample space for small items. The console also houses controls for Auto Hold, a thankfully deactivatable start/stop system, and the heated steering wheel. Dedicated switches are provided for the heated and ventilated front seats, along with buttons to activate hill descent control, parking assist, and camera systems. Notably, physical knobs are retained for adjusting the automatic climate control, a user-friendly touch appreciated by many drivers.
Drivers can select from various drive modes, including the engaging Sport mode, as well as Eco, Normal, Smart, and Snow modes to optimize performance for different conditions. For more challenging terrain, a differential lock can be engaged for enhanced traction.
Positioned high on the dashboard is another impressive 12.3-inch touchscreen display, new for the 2024 model year. This screen serves as the command center for the 12-speaker Bose Premium sound system, integrated navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, front and rear camera views, SiriusXM radio, HD Radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Bluetooth connectivity, providing a comprehensive suite of infotainment features.
Moving to the second row, the captain’s chairs offer generous space and adjustability. These seats slide and recline, and are also heated for passenger comfort. Rear passengers benefit from dedicated air conditioning vents and thoughtfully placed USB ports integrated into the back of the front seats. In the SX-Prestige trim, rear window sunshades are included for added privacy and sun protection. A convenient button located on the top of the captain’s chairs allows them to tilt and slide forward, facilitating easy access to the third-row seats.
It’s important to note that the third-row seating in the Sorento is best suited for children or occasional adult use on shorter trips. Legroom is somewhat limited in the third row, and for those requiring more substantial third-row space, the larger Kia Telluride remains the more suitable option.
Utility and Cargo Space
The cargo area of the 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige is practical, though not expansive. A useful under-floor storage compartment provides additional space for smaller items. The third-row seats fold down manually with ease, creating a flat cargo floor, and are equally simple to return to their upright position.
Conveniently located buttons in the cargo area allow for remote folding of the second-row captain’s chairs. With both the second and third rows folded, the Sorento offers a generous 75 cubic feet of cargo space, presenting a highly versatile configuration for hauling larger items.
Standard Features and Safety Technologies
The 2024 Kia Sorento SX-Prestige trim is comprehensively equipped with a long list of standard features. Highlights include a large panoramic moonroof with a power-sliding sunshade, keyless entry with remote start, a 14-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with thigh extension, a 10-way power-adjustable passenger seat, a power liftgate for hands-free cargo access, park assist features, a rearview camera mirror for enhanced visibility, power-folding mirrors, driver’s seat memory settings, and much more.
In terms of safety, the Sorento SX-Prestige is equipped with a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. These include blind-spot monitoring, forward collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a rear seat alert to remind drivers to check for passengers or items left in the back seat.
An especially impressive safety feature is the blind-spot view monitor system. In addition to standard blind-spot indicators in the side mirrors, this system projects a live video feed of the adjacent lane directly into the digital gauge cluster when the turn signals are activated. This provides a clear and direct view of blind spots, significantly enhancing safety during lane changes.
Available Options
The options list for the reviewed 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige is concise. Available upgrades include an Olive Brown leather interior package for $295, carpeted floor mats for $225, and a carpeted cargo area mat for $115, allowing for a degree of personalization.
Fuel Economy and Pricing
The 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige achieves EPA-estimated fuel economy figures of 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, resulting in a combined rating of 23 mpg. The total MSRP as tested for this model is $49,400, which is considered exceptional value for the level of features and capability offered in this SUV.
Ride and Driving Experience
The interior of the 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige is remarkably quiet, a testament to Kia’s focus on refinement and noise isolation. The Sorento delivers a comfortable and composed ride in various driving conditions. While the X-Pro trim is designed to handle light off-road excursions, it remains highly pleasant for daily driving and navigating city streets. Parking is easy thanks to its manageable size and good all-around visibility. Notably, the X-Pro trim is the only Sorento model rated for towing up to 4,500 pounds, adding to its versatility.
Final Verdict
Kia has created another compelling vehicle with the refreshed 2024 Sorento. Like the popular Telluride, the Sorento has been a sales success since its introduction. The 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige represents outstanding value in the 3-row SUV segment, especially considering Kia’s industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
For those considering a Telluride but finding it too large or expensive, the 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige provides a compelling alternative, offering a similar level of features and refinement in a slightly smaller and more affordable package, saving buyers approximately $5,000.
