2024 Kia Sorento overview | CarExpert

The Kia Sorento has developed loads of instances already, and it’s simply hit a brand new stage of life.

Now in its fourth era, the Korean model’s international household hero – in the event you low cost the costly electrical EV9 – has simply been handled to a tech-heavy mid-life facelift.

With every iteration the Sorento has moved additional upmarket, and this newest 2024 mannequin isn’t simply taking intention on the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Kluger – but in addition the dearer Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90.

Don’t consider me? Kia brazenly talks about benchmarking the XC90 and Volkswagen Touareg throughout the growth levels of this automobile; and given with how properly it drives, that’s no shock.

Headlining the modifications are a revised suspension tune with new damper expertise, in addition to a slew of upgraded infotainment and driver help applied sciences. Oh, and now it’s obtained a brand new face impressed by the EV9.

Whereas not the top-selling automobile in its phase, demand for the Sorento – significantly the flagship GT-Line – is so sturdy prospects have beforehand been suggested of wait instances between 12 and 18 months.

Kia Australia instructed us on the launch of this up to date mannequin wait instances ought to be nearer to 3 or 4 months relying on variant, although that might blow out if this new one is properly obtained. We’re additionally ready on the Sorento Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid, which can comply with within the second quarter of 2024.

Is it nonetheless considered one of our high picks? Time to seek out out.

How a lot does the Kia Sorento price?

Costs are up for 2024, although that’s considerably offset by enhanced ranges of normal gear.

Kia Sorento pricing:

• 2024 Kia Sorento S V6 FWD: $54,090 (+$3300)
• 2024 Kia Sorento Sport V6 FWD: $57,090 (+$3300)
• 2024 Kia Sorento S Diesel AWD: $57,090 (+$3300)
• 2024 Kia Sorento Sport Diesel: $60,090 (+$3300)
• 2024 Kia Sorento Sport+ V6 FWD: $61,990 (+$3600)
• 2024 Kia Sorento Sport+ Diesel AWD: $64,990 (+$3600)
• 2024 Kia Sorento GT-Line V6 FWD: $69,690 (+$3700)
• 2024 Kia Sorento GT-Line Diesel AWD: $72,690 (+$3700)

Costs are drive-away

The Kia Sorento goes head-to-head with a spread of seven-seat SUVs in Australia. To see the way it shapes up, use our instrument to construct your individual comparability.

What’s the Kia Sorento like on the within?

It’s a little bit of ‘one thing outdated, one thing new’.

The design of the cabin has a way of familiarity but in addition has some fairly important modifications to the dashboard. All variations of the Sorento come as normal with a conjoined show incorporating the motive force’s cluster and infotainment touchscreen, although the standard of the show is dependent upon variant.

Even the bottom Sorento S scores a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Kia Join, although the entry grade misses out on satellite tv for pc navigation. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are additionally normal throughout the board, as is DAB radio.

S, Sport, and Sport+ grades not have typical gauges within the instrument cluster, as a substitute packing the ‘fundamental’ digital cluster which sandwiches a 4.0-inch color journey laptop between clock radio-style rev and speedo readouts.

When you go for the GT-Line flagship, you get the upscale twin 12.3-inch array which successfully provides the Sorento the identical full digital cockpit because the EV9.

The brand new Sorento GT-Line additionally has a bigger 10-inch head-up show with higher graphics, and might now undertaking turn-by-turn navigation prompts from third-party mapping apps from smartphones. Additional, there’s a digital rear-view mirror on the flagship too.

The fundamental cluster is a bit meh however will change colors in keeping with drive modes; the high-grade unit is extra befitting of the Sorento’s standing and likewise presents the choice of easy line-bar counters with digital readouts or typical dials that may be adjusted with completely different themes.

Kia’s newest software program is at play right here, that means the aforementioned wi-fi smartphone mirroring throughout the vary (yay!) in addition to the latest iteration of Kia Join which brings options together with related navigation (Sport and above), over the air software program updates, cabin pre-conditioning and extra.

Larger grades provide prolonged performance too, akin to encompass digital camera snapshots on the GT-Line, and you can even management the automobile’s home windows on Sport+ and GT-Line fashions with auto up/down performance.

All of that is accessed through the Kia Join smartphone app, which we sadly didn’t get to trial throughout the media launch. We’ve tried these options in different Kias, and so they’re useful when you get all of it arrange.

Wi-fi Apple CarPlay labored fairly properly throughout our time with the Sorento, and the inbuilt navigation system proved useful after we took a unsuitable flip throughout the drive route.

The Bose 12-speaker premium audio system within the Sport+ and GT-Line can be good, with crisp audio and punchy bass. We sadly didn’t get time within the decrease grades to trial the usual seven-speaker system.

Consolation and house up entrance is fairly good, with loads of nooks and crannies to retailer your odds and ends like telephones, wallets, and keys. There’s a giant shelf underneath the centre stack in your cellphone, toothed cupholders, and several other bins and cubbies – although the door pockets will solely match smaller bottles.

I’ll say solely the GT-Line presents a wi-fi cellphone quick charger regardless of all fashions getting wi-fi smartphone mirroring; and a number of the cubbies aren’t felt or rubber lined so more durable gadgets can rattle round a bit.

One other new characteristic of the Sorento is the built-in contact bar that doubles because the local weather management panel and digital arduous controls for the infotainment system. We’ve seen this on the EV6 and Sportage already, and in contrast to some touch-based controls by different manufacturers the Kia ones work very similar to typical switchgear.

Gone is the outdated T-bar shifter of the decrease grades within the pre-facelift vary. Now, all fashions get a rotary selector that provides haptic suggestions whenever you interact reverse. It has an virtually crystal end that’s fairly fetching – although in DCT fashions it may be a bit of sluggish to have interaction the chosen gear.

As earlier than, the GT-Line will get a slew of correct luxurious options like heated and ventilated entrance seats (heated for Sport+ too), whereas the Sport+ and GT-Line characteristic a heated steering wheel and guide rear sunshades. A panoramic sunroof is once more reserved for the flagship, and it’s a terrific characteristic in case your children wish to search for on the sky whereas within the automobile.

Not a lot has modified within the rear apart from some new seat designs and new USB-C ports on the seat backs of upper fashions, however there’s nonetheless loads of goodness within the second and third rows.

Adults can simply match behind adults within the second row, even three abreast with out it being an excessive amount of of a squeeze. The third row is likely one of the extra sensible for the phase, although it’s not so good as the Palisade or Carnival and the curtain airbags solely cowl that skinny window – and subsequently technically don’t provide full three-row protection.

The Sorento can be very kid-friendly, with 5 top-tether and 4 ISOFIX anchors that means you may refill the rear two rows with baby capsules in the event you want the house. The second row has a one-touch entrance perform too to make getting out and in of the rearmost seats simpler.

The third row seating itself stays one of many higher at school, with sufficient room for average-sized adults for shorter journeys and greater than sufficient house for teenagers. All variations get second-row vents, although the S misses out on third-row vents and fan controls. Additionally disappointingly, the Sorento doesn’t get a correct third zone of automated local weather management like quite a few rivals do.

Rounding out the rear facilities are a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, net-type map pockets behind the entrance seats, cup holders and bottle holders within the doorways themselves, in addition to a 12V outlet behind the centre console. GT-Line fashions additionally characteristic heated outer second-row seats.

Boot house stays the identical for the up to date vary. There’s 179L with the third row in place, 608L with 5 seats up, and 1996L with simply two seats in play – all measurements are VDA.

No matter which Sorento you select, there’s a full-size alloy spare wheel underneath the boot flooring as properly. Props to Kia for persevering with to supply this, which little question might be a key level of distinction to many patrons.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

Powertrains are carried over from the pre-facelift Sorento vary.

The ‘normal’ choice is a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 petrol engine, which quotes outputs of 200kW (6300rpm) and 332Nm (5000rpm). Drive is shipped to the entrance wheels through an eight-speed torque converter automated transmission.

If you would like all-wheel drive, the only choice you could have at launch is a 2.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder turbo-diesel which makes 148kW (3800rpm) and 440Nm (1750-2750rpm). The oiler swaps out the torque converter auto for an eight-speed wet-type dual-clutch auto.

The Sorento’s all-wheel drive system is the lively on-demand kind which encompasses a Lock Mode, in addition to numerous terrain modes that are accessible through a rotary controller on the centre console.

Kia has confirmed the Sorento 3.5 FWD and a pair of.2D AWD are rated to tow as much as 2000kg with a braked trailer, with max towball obtain quoted at 200kg.

Later throughout the second quarter of 2024, the Sorento Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid will arrive in Australia. Just like the petrol and diesel variations, they’re successfully carryover drivetrains.

Energy within the Kia Sorento Hybrid comes from a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine teamed with a six-speed automated, in addition to a 44kW/264Nm electrical motor and 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery.

System outputs are rated at 169kW and 350Nm, which is a bit of down on energy in comparison with the PHEV’s. A Toyota Kluger Hybrid, by comparability, presents 184kW.

The Plug-in Hybrid makes use of a bigger 13.8kWh water-cooled li-ion battery and a extra highly effective 67kW/304Nm e-motor, for system outputs of 195kW and 350Nm.

The PHEV may run on pure electrical energy, as much as 57km on the WLTP mixed cycle and as much as 70km on a pure city cycle – no less than based mostly on the pre-facelifted spec. It’s unclear whether or not the facelift will convey any modifications.

How does the Kia Sorento drive?

Whereas the drivetrains are carryover, Kia Australia has been arduous at work retuning the Sorento for our roads.

The 2024 Sorento has obtained a brand new journey and dealing with tune – together with revised energy steering and new frequency selective dampers first seen on the EV6 GT and EV9 – claimed to enhance journey consolation and physique management.

All variations of the Sorento have been recalibrated, together with the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid which beforehand went with out a full native tune. Graeme Gambold and his workforce have led Kia’s native tuning program for a decade, with over 50 Kia-branded fashions topic to localised calibration applications over the past decade or so.

To showcase this the media drive took us from Melbourne CBD to the Yarra Valley, by the hills exterior Healesville and up the winding roads of Mount Donna Buang in Victoria’s outer east. We obtained a mixture of freeway, freeway, metropolis and suburban roads, blended in with winding nation B-roads and even a mud part.

We began off within the penultimate Sport+ variant with the V6 FWD drivetrain choice.

As I discovered in my current overview of the pre-facelift GT-Line V6 FWD, the Sorento’s atmo six is a candy unit that likes to rev and is the extra refined choose of the non-hybrid variants.

It presents a easy and brassy be aware underneath acceleration, and whereas it received’t set your pants on fireplace with its straight-line efficiency, it will get alongside properly if with a little bit of wheelspin in the event you hit the throttle too arduous off the road.

When you’re shifting, the eight-speed typical auto is a slick picker of ratios, although the decrease torque output and rev-happy nature of the V6 means it will probably sometimes really feel prefer it’s trying to find gears in the event you demand rolling response.

That stated, it’s able to easy progress on the town and on the freeway, and in the event you don’t want the additional traction of the diesel and need to pocket some money (it’s $3000 cheaper), it may very well be a terrific choice for you.

I piloted the V6 by some twisty sections of street the place I check efficiency vehicles as a result of their quick corners and excessive signposted pace limits.

The Sorento V6 was a surprisingly enjoyable steer by Myers Creek Highway for such a giant automobile, showcasing the claimed enhancements caused by the brand new chassis calibration.

It’s not just like the outdated automobile was a dud handler both, if something it was already superb. The up to date mannequin feels that bit extra tied collectively however with an added layer of compliance that was missing within the pre-update mannequin, significantly on bigger wheels.

Flick it into Sport mode and there’s a noticeable change to the steering and throttle response, which undoubtedly goes additional to make the Sorento really feel like a a lot smaller automobile than it really is.

Swapping into the heavier GT-Line Diesel AWD, there was a special character with comparable abilities.

The torquey four-cylinder oiler has a extra relaxed, easy character that requests extra mild throttle inputs, in any other case it will get a bit rattly when pushed.

It likes to lean on that 440Nm peak torque output from low down, and the eight-speed DCT is a quick shifter on the transfer – although it will probably exhibit a few of these hesitant low-speed quirks related to this transmission kind.

The entrance finish additionally feels heavier than the V6, however the diesel was fairly spectacular up and down Mt Donna Buang’s 100km/h roads, in addition to a twisty dust part that took place proper because the climate turned a bit of… moist. You’ll discover the AWD’s added traction on moist or unfastened surfaces popping out of corners on quicker roads.

Driving again to Melbourne within the GT-Line additionally demonstrated the good points in consolation in comparison with the outgoing automobile, which had a behavior of being a bit jittery or terse on pockmarked metropolis roads.

Whereas the diesel-powered GT-Line we examined isn’t as supple as air-sprung European vehicles over Melbourne streets, it undoubtedly didn’t really feel as busy as its predecessor. It’s not fairly pretty much as good in these eventualities – significantly on 20-inch wheels – as one thing like a Hyundai Palisade, and even the Kia Carnival.

Total refinement is fairly good for the category, with good insulation from street and wind noise, although the roughest of roads will transmit some tyre roar into the cabin, significantly on bigger wheels and skinnier tyres.

If effectivity is a precedence and you may’t look ahead to the HEV or PHEV, the diesel is the clear choose in that area. We obtained it as little as mid-6.0L/100km with extra freeway driving, settling into the 7.0s with blended situations; in the meantime the petrol hovered across the 10-11L/100km mark with comparable driving.

Driver help tech has additionally been given a lift, however sure components might not really feel like ‘upgrades’.

I’m speaking in regards to the pace restrict help system, which is an annoying audible warning that chimes every time you eclipse the signed pace restrict – even when it’s simply 1-2km/h. This newest iteration is a claimed 3dB quieter than earlier than, however it’s nonetheless bloody annoying and defaults to on every time you begin the automobile.

In any other case, the brand new Freeway Driving Help system is a nav-based semi-autonomous assistant that engages adaptive cruise management with cease/go, in addition to Lane Following Help (centring) to take the load off longer freeway stints. It’s also possible to get it to mechanically alter the pace to modifications in signed limits, which is useful.

It’s a disgrace in regards to the pace restrict help as a result of in any other case every little thing works reasonably properly, and also you’re not left wanting for an entire lot.

What do you get?

Sorento S highlights:

• 7 seats
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Full-size spare wheel
• Auto reflector-type LED headlights (NEW)
• Auto high-beam
• LED daytime operating
• LED entrance fog lights
• LED rear fog mild
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Energy-folding facet mirrors
• Acoustic windscreen
• Primary digital instrument cluster incl. 4-inch LCD show (NEW)
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system (NEW)
• Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto (NEW)
• DAB+ digital radio
• 6-speaker sound system
• Handbook air-conditioning
• 2nd row vents
• Proximity entry and push-button begin
• Distant engine begin
• Shift-by-wire gear selector (NEW)
• Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
• Paddle shifters (NEW)
• Embossed material seats
• 6-way guide driver’s seat adjustment

Sorento Sport provides:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Privateness glass (NEW)
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Computerized defog
• third row fan management and vents
• Electrochromic rear-view mirror
• 10-way energy driver’s seat incl. 2-way lumbar help
• Freeway Driving Help (NEW)

Sorento Sport+ provides:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• LED mixture tail lights
• Heated facet mirrors
• Aero-blade kind entrance wipers
• 12-speaker Bose premium audio
• 2nd row USB chargers
• third row USB chargers
• 2nd row sunshade blinds
• Black high-gloss inside trim
• Alloy door scuff panels
• Heated steering wheel
• Leather-based upholstery
• Heated entrance seats

Sorento GT-Line provides:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• 4-cube LED projector headlights
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• Aspect mirror reverse dip perform
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Passenger discuss perform
• Head-up show
• Wi-fi charger
• Digital rear-view mirror (NEW)
• Inside ambient lighting
• Alloy sports activities pedals
• Suede headliner
• Baggage internet
• Quilted Nappa leather-based upholstery
• 14-way energy driver’s seat incl. 4-way lumbar help
• 10-way energy entrance passenger’s seat
• Ventilated entrance seats
• Heated outboard 2nd row seats
• Blind Spot View Monitor
• Secure Exit Help
• Digital baby security lock
• Encompass-view monitor
• Aspect parking sensors
• Distant Good Parking Help

Colors

Commonplace: $NCO

Premium: $695

• Volcanic Sand Brown (NEW)
• Cityscape Inexperienced (NEW)
• Snow White Pearl
• Silky Silver
• Mineral Blue
• Aurora Black Pearl
• Metal Gray
• Gravity Blue

Is the Kia Sorento protected?

The 2024 Kia Sorento carries over the pre-update mannequin’s five-star ANCAP security ranking, based mostly on Euro NCAP assessments.

The Sorento managed an grownup occupant safety rating of 82 per cent, baby occupant safety rating of 85 per cent, weak street consumer safety rating of 63 per cent, and security help rating of 89 per cent.

Commonplace security options embody:

• 7 airbags incl. front-centre
• Adaptive cruise management
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Automobile detection
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Bike owner detection
  • Junction help
• Blind-spot help
• Driver consideration alert
• Freeway Driving Help (HDA)
  • Adaptive cruise incl. cease/go
  • Lane Following Help
  • Navigation-based
• Lane Following Help
• Lane preserve help
• Clever Pace Restrict Help (NEW)
• Parking sensors entrance, rear
• Rear cross-traffic help
• Reversing digital camera
• Secure Exit Warning
• Tyre strain monitoring

Kia Join options embody:

• eCall
• Distant lock
• Distant local weather management
• Car monitoring
• Car standing monitoring
• Voice assistant
• Vacation spot ship to automobile
• Actual-time visitors updates
• Valet parking mode

It’s price noting the up to date Australian vary doesn’t choose up extra airbags like Korean fashions, which get rear-side inflators and a driver’s knee airbag – bringing the whole to 10. Native fashions additionally seem to overlook out on the ‘reverse information lamp’ that’s much like the tail lamps supplied by Genesis fashions.

How a lot does the Kia Sorento price to run?

The 2024 Kia Sorento is roofed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee like the broader the Kia line-up.

Scheduled upkeep is required each 15,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first. Homeowners who service their vehicles inside the seller community additionally rise up to eight years of free roadside help.

2024 Kia Sorento service pricing:

In comparison with the outgoing vary, the petrol and diesel are $20-30 up per go to. Whereas providing business main guarantee protection and one of many longest capped-price service applications, Kia Australia has made a behavior of being one of many extra expensive manufacturers to service.

Petrol, HEV and PHEV variations of the Sorento can run on 91 RON common unleaded, whereas the diesel takes… diesel.

All fashions characteristic a 67-litre gas tank, and Kia’s native arm sticks to older Euro 5 emissions requirements, that means no AdBlue for the diesel. There’s additionally no idle cease/begin on ICE fashions in contrast to different markets, so that you’ll use extra gas in visitors or when idling on the varsity run.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia Sorento

This can be a superb replace of an already superb household SUV.

With heaps of house, sharp seems to be, and an opulent characteristic record greater up the vary, there’s little surprise so many households have been lining up for the Sorento, whilst wait instances enhance.

This mid-life improve addresses key areas for enchancment on the outdated mannequin, particularly the infotainment tech and including a number of the extra fascinating options beforehand reserved for the GT-Line additional down; whereas the retuned steering and chassis makes for an much more partaking drive.

The pace restrict warning nonetheless grates, however it’s much less intrusive than the system within the Seltos and Palisade. I lament the dear servicing and the very fact solely the GT-Line will get the correct panoramic show bundle given the Sorento’s value level – it ought to be normal on the Sport+ too at a minimal.

Having new colors is a win (yay Cityscape Inexperienced), however the inside choices are once more greyscale. Kia Australia famous challenges with sourcing lighter leather-based choices from Korea, although we’d wish to see extra selection given the ‘premium’ labelling and $70,000 value level.

It’s additionally a disgrace there have been no actual developments to the drivetrains, although the carryover set remains to be first rate. The diesel is the choose for all-round drivability and effectivity – and is at the moment your sole AWD choice – although the cheaper V6 FWD might be beneficial for individuals who consider a giant automobile deserves a big-block energy unit.

The upcoming Sorento HEV and PHEV will pad the drivetrain line-up properly, with the HEV most likely the choose in case your Sorento is more likely to spend most of its life in suburbia like so many. Good luck getting one if provide is ready to stay at 20-ish models per thirty days.

Even with the value rises relative to its predecessor, the Sorento nonetheless represents strong worth in opposition to the competitors. The GT-Line at $70,000 remains to be hundreds cheaper than a Kluger Grande, and features up in value in opposition to the entry-level Mazda CX-90 for reference. It’s additionally decently extra reasonably priced than the bigger Palisade, which runs older tech.

All instructed, the up to date Sorento reasserts itself as one of many class leaders, although competitors continues to warmth up. Personally, I’d attempt to get a deposit down for one of many hybrids in the event you can afford to attend a bit of longer.

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