Previewed in July 2023, then revealed in November 2023, the facelifted Sorento will hit US dealership lots for the 2025 model year. As ever, the combustion-only Sorento will continue production at Kia's assembly plant in West Point, Georgia. The HEV and PHEV are produced in South Korea.
As far as the gasoline-fed version is concerned, pricing kicks off at $31,990 for the LX FWD. The most expensive front-wheel-drive trim is the SSX FWD, which carries a suggested retail price of $41,690 (sans the $1,375 destination charge). When it comes to all-wheel-drive trims, prospective customers are presented with no fewer than five choices. The most affordable of the bunch is the S AWD at $36,390, whereas the newly introduced X-Pro SX Prestige costs $47,390 at the very least.
X-Pro is Kia's way of saying a bit more off-road capability than other trim levels. Equipped with 17-inch wheels, BFGoodrich all-terrain rubber, and a center locking differential, the X-Pro shouldn't be confused with the slightly milder X-Line. This grade slots between the X-Pro and S, and similar to the X-Pro, it features an increased ride height.
The mid-cycle refresh is easily recognizable from every angle. You can see a bit of Telluride in this fellow, especially in the front. Vertically stacked headlights with amber daytime running lights flank an upright grille. A more squared-off front bumper also need to be highlighted, along with a more in-your-face rear bumper and redesigned taillights.
For the interior, the dashboard's design is the biggest change over the 2024 model. Standard goodies include a Wi-Fi hotspot, rear side airbags, and Enhanced Auto Emergency Braking with Junction Crossing. The 2024 model also introduces four new paint colors, namely Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, Jungle Green, and Road Rider Brown.
Photo: Kia
Sage Green and Olive Brown leather upholstery are optionally available in the X-Line and X-Pro. While on the subject of available features, the list further includes a dual-screen layout with 12.3-inch displays (the digital instrument cluster and the touchscreen infotainment system), a digital rearview mirror, Digital Key 2, over-the-air updates, Side Parking Distance Warning, Evasive Steering Assist, and Highway Driving Assist 2.
As for the oily bits, Kia lists two 2.5-liter engines connected to either a torque-converter automatic or a dual-clutch transmission. The torque-converter unit is for the free-breathing 2.5, whereas the dual-clutch box is exclusive to the turbocharged 2.5er.
The 2,497-cc lump uses direct injection to make 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet (245 Nm), with maximum torque delivered at 4,000 revolutions per minute. Its force-fed brother develops 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet (422 Nm) at 1,700 revolutions per minute. The 2.5-liter turbo is standard on the EX FWD and higher trim levels.
Due later this year, the Sorento Hybrid sports a six-speed automatic and a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder mill. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid also features this engine, but as expected of a plug-in hybrid, the combined output is rated at 261 horsepower compared to 227 ponies for the Sorento Hybrid.
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
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