Photo: shorts_car on Instagram / autoevolution edit
Nobody would have believed a decade ago that Kia could grow into the giant it is today. As Hyundai's sibling, the South Korean brand has made a name for itself. It's also one of the key players in the American auto market. And since most of us like SUVs, the 2024 Kia Sorento is the automaker's way of rejuvenating an essential part of its current portfolio. You now get to see it before anyone else.
That, of course, is only true if this alleged leak is real and Kia isn't going to make any sudden changes that may leave anyone wondering what's going on. But that's rarely the case with these "early discoveries" of upcoming models. Sometimes the images just reach their audience before they're supposed to, which allows us to get a glimpse before anyone else.
Sharing the underpinnings with Hyundai but standing on its own two feet when it comes to design, Kia is currently getting ready in secret to bring us the brand-new three-row Sorento. It's excellent news for SUV lovers and those who don't like the boldly-updated Santa Fe. Those taillights are something else!
Today, the Sorento is available in the US in three base trims built around the powertrain – Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, and Turbo. The cheapest version is the Sorento LX, which has a starting cost of $30,090 and benefits from the 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. That includes the 191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, all-wheel-drive, seven-passenger seating with woven cloth seats, LED headlights, and 17-inch wheels.
The 2024 model-year SUV brings a new front look, making the Sorento resemble the Telluride's little sibling. While the decision to bring these two models closer together through their exterior aspects may be a bit confusing, the leak confirms the sketch preview we showed you a couple of days ago. The redesigned grille, the new headlights with the signature daytime running lights (DRLs), and the slightly more sculpted front bumper reveal a meaner-looking SUV with a contemporary aura.
The images that surfaced on Instagram also seem to match our partners' spy photos. We showed them to you last year as the revamped Sorento was undergoing a testing phase over the pond.
Photo: shorts_car on Instagram
Since this isn't a brand-new generation but a mid-cycle refresh, the taillights are almost similar to the existing model. However, the housing appears to be now connected at the top, mimicking the front quarter design in a more minimalist approach. It's a discreet change, but it'll help people to distinguish between the old and facelifted Sorento.
The cabin is also rejuvenated. The vents aren't as prominent as before, and the dual screens are the center of attention when looking at the dashboard and infotainment system. Fortunately, Kia didn't put everything on the center display, so you still have a separate command center for temperature control. But they're not physical buttons. It's another touchscreen, as seen on the EV6.
The upholstery looks better, and the steering wheel has a more elegant appearance thanks to the two-tone leather.
Overall, the 2024 Kia Sorento looks like a mini-Telluride without compromising its usability and identity. It's a welcomed change that customers will most likely love because there's no real downside to this updated version of the SUV. Let's see what will hide under the hood after the automaker gives us all the specs. Some new colors would be great to have!
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
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