At the ongoing LA Auto Show, Kia revealed the 2024 iteration of the Sorento. This mid-sized, three-row SUV boasts off-road and towing capabilities. With this upgrade, the brand is embracing its more contemporary design language, and the exterior appearance and cabin layout of the model both feature EV9-inspired elements. Kia further stated that the first quarter of 2024 will see the release of this revamped SUV on the US market. On top of that, the manufacturer intends to introduce electric HEV and PHEV versions of the Sorento later next year. During the event, the firm also unveiled the EV3 and EV4 concepts. Notably, the new Sorento from the South Korean automaker is now available in an upgraded X-Line model that includes 20-inch gloss black wheels, a bridge-style roof rack, and a centre-locking differential. The X-Pro variant comes with 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres and has enhanced towing capability of up to 1,815 kilograms.
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Kia Sorento Facelift: Exterior Elements
On the design front, the front fascia and the rear profile have been revised to reflect the newest Opposites United design philosophy. With freshly styled vertical headlamps and a wider skid plate, the 2024 Kia Sorento has a more noticeable grille portion and a more tough look. The Daytime Running Lights are also new, and the newly designed alloy wheels enhance the car's overall appearance. Similar to its Korean twin, the US-spec Sorento features connected LED tail lamps on the back end. To lend the vehicle a more contemporary aesthetic, the rear bumper has also been altered, and two new colour schemes—Dawning Red and Midnight Lake Blue—have been introduced.
Kia Sorento Facelift: Powertrain
Two petrol engine options are available for the new Sorento. A 2.5-litre, four-cylinder, normally aspirated (NA) engine producing 188bhp and 245Nm of torque is present in lower variations, while a turbocharged version of the same engine is found in higher-spec variants, increasing power and torque output to 277bhp and 422Nm, respectively. While the turbo-petrol has an 8-speed wet dual-clutch unit, the NA petrol mill has an 8-speed AT. A locking centre differential and all-wheel drive are features found on the S-Line and X Pro models.
Kia Sorento Facelift: Interior and Tech Updates
There is a significant alteration to the interior as well. The centrally located air vents visually divided the previous Sorento's dash into two portions. At the same time, the new one has a single, continuous horizontal line that runs the length of the dashboard. It now incorporates those centre vents and extends at both ends to encompass the vertical side vents. The infotainment unit and instrument cluster are housed in a curved panoramic display with two 12.3-inch panels; However, the carmaker hasn't yet revealed which variants will offer it, it will be available on them. Furthermore, for lower-spec trims, you can expect a panel combining a 12.3-inch screen and a 4.3-inch digital cluster. Kia's new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit system will be available in the new Sorento. This will be the second model to come equipped with the same after it debuted on the EV9.
A swipe will allow for frequently used functions, and Kia claims that its processing is faster and more accurate than that of competing systems. The SUV will also remain up to date thanks to over-the-air upgrades. All trims will include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, no matter the the size of the screen, and all three rows will have USB-C outlets. An additional standout feature is the Digital Key 2.0, which connects to compatible phones or smartwatches to enable locking, unlocking, starting, and driving the car without the key fob being in your hands. The unlocking function also eliminates the need for you to hold the phone in order to operate it. Others with suitable devices can also receive the digital key, which they can use to text message to access the car.
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Kia Sorento Facelift: ADAS
An update was also made to the onboard ADAS system. Including an improved forward collision avoidance system, the SUV comes with ten ADAS features as standard. Furthermore, a new machine-learning-powered Smart Cruise Control feature that interprets the driver's inputs on the pedals and steering wheel has been integrated into the SUV. Also available is a lane change assistance feature called Highway Driving Assist 2.
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