The fourth-generation Sorento launched in the first half of 2020 for the 2021 model year. Kia refreshed the mid-size crossover in late 2023 for 2024, but alas, the hybrid and plug-in hybrid will reach dealers nationwide as 2025 models. Regarding the combustion-only 2024 Kia Sorento, the Virginia-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found little in the way of issues with it.
As per the nonprofit organization founded in 1969 by a trio of insurance groups, the South Korean sport utility vehicle passed all crashworthiness tests with flying colors. The crash tests in question concluded with the highest rating possible. Good is also the rating awarded to the front crash prevention system in vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. Think 12- and 25-mph tests (make that 20 and 40 kilometers per hour) with parallel and crossing dummies during daytime and at night.
The areas where Kia could make improvements to the Sorento include headlight performance and LATCH ease of use, with LATCH being the acronym for the rear-seat lower anchors and tethers that make attaching child seats a little bit easier. Both the second- and third-row outboard seats feature lower anchors located too deep in the seats, according to the IIHS, while the LED projector-type high beams offer inadequate visibility on the left side on straightaways and on the sharp left curve.
Acceptable is the rating given to the Sorento for LATCH ease of use and headlight performance, which is good enough for a roomy crossover that starts at $31,990 with loads of standard kit. LX is what Kia calls the lowliest of trim levels. It comes with 17-inch alloys, three-row seating for seven occupants, an eight-speed automatic transmission connected to a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter mill, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Rear Occupant Alert with Ultrasonic Sensors, as well as push-button start.
Loaded with safety tech, Kia's refreshed Sorento develops 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet (245 Nm) from the outset. Prospective customers have to step up to the EX for a turbocharged version of the aforementioned 2.5-liter engine, which is rocking 281 ponies and 311 pound-feet (422 Nm) of twist.
Photo: Kia
Rated at 3,500 pounds (1,588 kilograms) for maximum towing capacity, the Sorento EX also differs from the S and LX by means of a dual-clutch transmission instead of a torque-converter automatic. The LX can't be had with all-wheel drive, but you can get AWD on the S if you're prepared to spend $2,000 on top of the suggested retail price of $34,490 sans destination charge.
In addition to all-wheel drive, those $2,000 also get you Snow Mode and a PTC auxiliary heater. X-Line EX AWD is the first grade that comes with all-wheel drive as standard, whereas the most rugged and expensive of trims is the X-Pro SX Prestige at $47,390 before freight.
Highlights include specific alloys mounted with all-terrain rubber from BFGoodrich, a center-locking differential, torque vectoring all-wheel drive, and 4,500 pounds (2,041 kilos) of towing capacity. To justify that relatively high MSRP, the folks at Kia further sweeten the deal with a panoramic sunroof (includes power sunshade), leather upholstery, a 14-way power driver's seat with memory, four-way power lumbar support, and two-way power thigh extension, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, as well as the Auto-Close Smart Power Liftgate.
Kia America delivered 22,244 units of the Sorento in the first quarter of 2024, putting this fellow behind the Telluride (25,578), Forte (33,623), and Sportage (37,286). Of said nameplates, the Forte will be discontinued after 2024 in favor of the all-new K4 four-door sedan and five-door hatchback.
The 2024 Kia Sorento is the latest IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News