The Definitive 2024 Kia Sorento Review: Everything You Need to Know

In the brutally competitive world of three-row SUVs, it takes more than just extra seats to stand out. It takes a bold statement. The Kia Sorento has evolved from a budget-friendly alternative into a genuine class leader, armed with head-turning style, near-luxury technology, and an unmatched range of powertrain choices. It confidently challenges the established titans of the segment.

Whether you’re a growing family needing occasional third-row flexibility, a tech-savvy commuter eyeing a hybrid, or an adventurer looking for a capable and stylish companion, the Sorento demands your attention. This ultimate buyer’s guide will cover every single aspect of the 2024 Kia Sorento to help you decide if it’s the perfect SUV for you.

What’s New for 2024?

The Kia Sorento receives a significant and impressive refresh for the 2024 model year, ensuring it stays at the forefront of the market. The key updates signal that this content is fresh and relevant for today’s buyer:

• Bold New Face: A striking redesign of the front fascia, featuring vertically stacked LED headlights and a wider, more assertive grille inspired by the flagship Telluride.
• Next-Gen Cockpit: A new, standard curved panoramic display is available, seamlessly merging two 12.3-inch screens for instrumentation and infotainment into a single, stunning unit.
• Rugged X-Pro Trim: Joining the X-Line, the new X-Pro trim adds all-terrain tires and increased towing capacity for those seeking more adventure.
• Updated Tech: The Sorento now runs on Kia’s latest-generation infotainment software, offering faster responses and over-the-air (OTA) update capabilities.

(Note: The 2024 Kia Sorento Hybrid and PHEV models retain the previous year’s styling and interior. They are scheduled to receive these updates for the 2025 model year.)

Performance, Powertrain, and MPG: A Sorento for Everyone

One of the Sorento’s greatest strengths is its diverse engine lineup. Unlike many competitors with a one-size-fits-all approach, Kia offers four distinct options tailored to different needs and priorities.

Standard Engine & Performance

The standard powertrain is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This engine is perfectly adequate for daily commuting and city driving. It’s the sensible, efficient choice for buyers who prioritize value over outright acceleration.

Turbocharged Power

For those who crave more punch, the available 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is the answer. It delivers a robust 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque through a quick-shifting 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This powertrain transforms the Sorento, providing effortless highway merging and passing power. It comes standard on EX, SX, X-Line, and X-Pro trims.

The Efficiency Champions: Sorento Hybrid and PHEV

Kia leads the pack with its electrified options.

• Sorento Hybrid (HEV): This model combines a 1.6-liter turbo engine with an electric motor for a total of 227 horsepower. It delivers excellent fuel economy without ever needing to be plugged in, making it ideal for high-mileage drivers.
• Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV): The top-tier efficiency choice. The PHEV boasts a more powerful electric motor and a larger battery, resulting in 261 total horsepower and an impressive 32 miles of all-electric range. It’s perfect for buyers who can handle most of their daily driving on pure electricity, using the gas engine only for longer trips.

Fuel Economy Breakdown (MPG)

Here are the EPA-estimated combined MPG figures for the 2024 Kia Sorento lineup:

Driving and Handling: Composed and Confident

The Sorento strikes an excellent balance between comfort and control. The ride is composed, effectively smoothing out most road imperfections without feeling floaty. Steering is light but precise, making it easy to maneuver in tight parking lots and confident on winding roads. Whether you’re navigating city traffic or cruising on the highway, the Sorento feels stable, quiet, and refined.

Interior Design, Comfort, and Technology

Kia has made its name by offering interiors that look and feel a class above their price tag, and the 2024 Sorento is the perfect example.

Cabin Quality and Layout

The dashboard design is clean, modern, and driver-focused. Materials are impressive, with soft-touch surfaces, convincing faux-wood or metal-textured trims, and tight panel gaps. The new curved panoramic display on upper trims is a showstopper, elevating the cabin to a level that rivals some luxury brands. The ergonomic layout ensures all controls are logically placed and easy to reach.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Base models feature a capable 8-inch touchscreen, but the star is the available dual 12.3-inch display setup. This system is bright, responsive, and features Kia’s intuitive software with crisp graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with multiple USB-C ports throughout the cabin to keep everyone charged and connected.

Seating and Comfort: The Truth About the Third Row

The Sorento’s front seats are supportive and comfortable, perfect for long road trips. Most trims come with second-row captain’s chairs, which provide excellent comfort and easy access to the back.

Now, for the crucial question about the Kia Sorento third row seat. Let’s be clear: this row is best reserved for children or for adults on very short trips. While its inclusion adds immense flexibility, it does not offer the spaciousness of larger rivals like the Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade. Think of it as a “5+2” configuration—perfect for carpools, but not for carrying seven full-sized adults across the state.

Cargo Space and Practicality

The Sorento offers versatile cargo capacity for its size class. Here are the numbers:

• Behind 3rd Row: 12.6 cubic feet (enough for groceries or a few backpacks)
• Behind 2nd Row: 45.0 cubic feet (plenty for luggage for a family of four)
• Behind 1st Row: 75.5 cubic feet (ample space for large items)

While these numbers are competitive, they are less than what you’ll find in the larger Toyota Highlander or Hyundai Palisade, a trade-off for the Sorento’s more manageable size and maneuverability.

2024 Kia Sorento Trim Levels & Pricing

Kia offers a wide range of trims, ensuring there’s a Sorento for nearly any budget. Here’s a breakdown of the key highlights. (Note: MSRPs are estimates and do not include destination charges).

Sorento LX (The Value Entry)

• Starts around $32,000
• Key Features: 2.5L engine, 3-row seating, 8-inch touchscreen, Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, standard Kia Drive Wise safety suite.

Sorento S (The Popular Choice)

• Starts around $34,500
• Key Features: Adds 18-inch wheels, SynTex synthetic leather seats, 10-way power driver’s seat, a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, push-button start, and dual-zone climate control.

Sorento EX (Turbocharged Comfort)

• Starts around $38,000
• Key Features: Upgrades to the 2.5L Turbo engine, 2nd-row captain’s chairs, Smart Power Tailgate, and enhanced driver-assistance features.

Sorento SX / SX Prestige (The Luxury Contender)

• Starts around $42,000 / $46,000
• Key Features: Adds the panoramic dual 12.3-inch displays, panoramic sunroof, Bose premium audio, and ventilated front seats. The SX Prestige is fully loaded with Nappa leather, a Blind-Spot View Monitor, and a 360-degree camera.

X-Line & X-Pro (The Rugged Siblings)

• Available on EX trims and above
• Key Features: Standard torque-vectoring AWD, increased ground clearance (8.2 inches), unique rugged exterior styling, and sturdy bridge-type roof rails. The new X-Pro (SX Prestige only) adds 17-inch wheels with BFGoodrich all-terrain tires and increases towing capacity to 4,500 lbs.

Safety Ratings and Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is a top priority for family SUV buyers, and the Sorento delivers. While the refreshed 2024 model awaits its official rating, the structurally similar previous model earned a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and high marks from the NHTSA.

Every Sorento comes standard with Kia’s Drive Wise suite of safety features, including:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Keeping & Lane Following Assist
• Driver Attention Warning
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist

Available advanced features on higher trims include:

• Blind-Spot View Monitor (projects a live camera feed into the gauge cluster)
• Highway Driving Assist
• Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control
• Surround View Monitor (360-degree camera)

Kia Sorento vs. The Competition

This is a critical section for any serious buyer. Here’s how the Sorento stacks up against its main rivals.

Kia Sorento vs. Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade is Hyundai’s larger, true 8-passenger SUV. The choice is clear: if you need a spacious, adult-friendly third row and maximum cargo space, the Palisade is the better option. However, the Sorento counters with superior fuel efficiency, more powertrain options (including Hybrid and PHEV), sharper driving dynamics, and a more manageable size for city parking and driving.

Kia Sorento vs. Toyota Highlander

The Highlander’s calling card is its sterling reputation for long-term reliability and its excellent standard hybrid option. It’s the safe, pragmatic choice. The Sorento, however, wins on bold styling, a more modern and tech-forward interior, and Kia’s unbeatable warranty. While the Highlander Hybrid is excellent, the Sorento offers both a standard hybrid and a PHEV for even greater efficiency.

Kia Sorento vs. Honda Pilot

The recently redesigned Honda Pilot leans heavily into its family-focused, practical roots with a standard V6 engine, tons of clever storage, and a more spacious interior. The Sorento competes by offering a wider array of choices. If you don’t need a standard V6, the Sorento’s base engine or highly efficient hybrids offer better MPG. The Sorento’s infotainment and overall cabin design also feel a generation ahead of the more utilitarian Pilot.

Reliability, Warranty, and Ownership Costs

Is the Kia Sorento a good car? When it comes to reliability, Kia has shed its old reputation and now consistently ranks highly in J.D. Power initial quality and dependability studies. While no car is perfect, recent Kia Sorento reliability has proven to be competitive with top Japanese brands.

Any concerns are immediately put to rest by Kia’s industry-leading warranty, a massive trust signal for buyers:

• 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty
• 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty

This best-in-class coverage provides peace of mind that is unmatched by Toyota, Honda, or Ford.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does the Kia Sorento have a third row?

Yes, every gasoline-powered Kia Sorento comes standard with a third row, providing seating for up to seven passengers. It is best suited for children or occasional use by adults.

Is the Kia Sorento reliable?

Yes. Modern Kia Sorentos have earned strong reliability scores from outlets like J.D. Power. Furthermore, they are backed by an industry-best 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty for ultimate peace of mind.

Which Kia Sorento trim is the best?

For most buyers, the Sorento S or Sorento EX hits the sweet spot. The S provides a significant upgrade in tech and comfort over the base LX, while the EX introduces the powerful turbo engine and captain’s chairs, making it feel like a true premium SUV without the top-tier price tag.

How much can a Kia Sorento tow?

Towing capacity depends on the powertrain. The standard 2.5L engine can tow up to 2,000 lbs. The 2.5L Turbo engine increases this to 3,500 lbs, while the rugged X-Pro trim can tow up to 4,500 lbs. The Hybrid and PHEV models are rated for 2,000 lbs.

The Final Verdict: Is the 2024 Kia Sorento Right for You?

The 2024 Kia Sorento is a triumph of design, technology, and consumer choice. It successfully carves out its own unique space in the crowded three-row market.

Its key strengths are its dramatic styling, tech-forward interior, an unparalleled variety of powertrain options (including hybrid and PHEV), and incredible overall value, all backed by the best warranty in the business. Its primary weakness is a third row that is less spacious than its larger competitors.

Final Recommendation: If you are a style-conscious buyer or family who values cutting-edge technology, powertrain choice, and only needs a third row for occasional use, the 2024 Kia Sorento is arguably the most compelling and well-rounded package in its class. It offers a near-luxury experience without the luxury price tag.