New Kia Sorento 2024 FINALLY REVEALED!

Kia Sorento 2025

If you're looking for a mid-size SUV, you've got a lot of options these days. Kia has the Telluride, the EV9 (electric), and the Sorento. The Sorento is a three-row SUV with a practical cabin and good looks. It comes with a standard four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. You can get an all-wheel drive or a turbocharged engine if you want more power. There's also a rugged X-Pro version at the top of the lineup with even more off-road capabilities.
Two hybrid versions are available - one is a plug-in hybrid with up to 32 miles of electric range per charge. We'll be reviewing the Sorento Hybrid separately. Even the base models don't skimp on features - they come with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, driver aids, and lots of other goodies. With all the praise, you might think there's no need to pay more for a Sorento. But the third row isn't as roomy as the Telluride's and the cargo and towing capacity aren't as strong. But if you need a mid-sized car with a third row for occasional use, Sorento might be a good choice.

What's New for 2025?

The Sorento, in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, has been given a fresh new look on the outside, and some interior improvements were first seen on the non-hybrid versions in 2024. For 2025, the non-hybrid model won't be getting any changes.
In 2025, the Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige AWD will be available with some optional features, but not all of them will be available on every trim. Some of the features may change, and it's expected to be released in summer 2024, with a limited number of units available.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The 2025 Sorento is available to buy starting at around $33,365 and can go up to around $48,765, depending on what trim and features you choose.
I really like the EX version. It's a bit more expensive than the regular Sorento, but you get extra features like faux leather seats, heated front seats, parking sensors, and a bigger 12.3" infotainment screen.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Sorento has two options for engines - front or all-wheel drive. You can choose between a 2.5-liter inline-4 that makes 191 horsepower and a 24-liter four-cylinder that has 281 horsepower. Both come with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the hybrid version has a six-speed gearbox.
I drove the SX trim level with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine and was impressed with the power. It was a bit slow to respond, though. It handled great and rode comfortably, though, and the braking was great.
The X-Pro model only comes with the turbo 2.5 and has features like a locking differential, 17-inch wheels, and all-terrain tires.

Premium Materials

Feel at home no matter where you go with the premium headliner and authentic leather seat trim available. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel will keep you comfy in all sorts of weather. Also, enjoy a quieter interior and keep outside noise out of the cabin with acoustic laminated glass on the first row.

3rd-Row Seating & 2nd-Row Captain’s Chairs

This car can comfortably fit up to 7 passengers and has standard 50/50 split-foldable third-row seats. Plus, the captain's chairs in the second row can slide forward with the touch of a button, making it easy to access the third row. They can also be folded for even more storage space.

0–60-MPH Times

Although we haven't tested the facelift Sorento yet, we expect the times from previous model years to hold up. We think the most powerful turbo models will still hit 60 in 6 flat, but the non-turbos might need up to 10 seconds.

Towing and Payload Capacity

The Sorento might not be the best for towing, but it can still do a decent job in some situations. It has a max towing capacity of 4000 lbs in the X-Pro version. While it might not compare to the 5k lbs towing of the Telluride, it can handle a few jet skis or some smaller farm animals if needed.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA says the Sorento gets up to 23 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles on the highway with the basic 2.5L four-cylinder engine. If you get the more powerful turbocharged 2.5, the EPA says it'll get 20 miles per gallon in city driving and 29 miles on the open road. We'll do some real-world testing on the 75 mph highway to see how it really performs.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Sorento's inside is pretty cool, with nice materials and a solid build. The dash has two big air vents, but it's pretty simple overall. There's some cool lighting that lights up the whole cabin, and the stitching on the doors and seats gives it a high-end feel. There are lots of little storage spots and cup holders, which is great for families. You can even swap out the middle row for captain's seats if you want. Compared to the bigger Telluride, the back seats in the Sorento aren't as comfy for adults. We could only fit two carry-ons in the trunk with the third row up, two less than the Telluride!

9 Airbags

With 9 airbags strategically positioned across all 3 rows, including side airbags for rear impact, you can drive with more peace of mind.
Hands-free Cargo Loading.
Pack more stuff in with up to 72.1 cubic feet of cargo space when you fold down the second and third rows. Plus, you can get easy access to the trunk area with the smart power liftgate that opens automatically when you approach it with your key fob and closes automatically when it doesn't sense your key anymore.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Sorento has a really cool infotainment system. It has two screens that are mounted side by side and form a curved, panoramic display. There's a 4.3-inch digital display for the gauges and a separate, 12.3-inch touchscreen for all the infotainment stuff. Higher-end models even have a bigger, 12.3" reconfigurable display for the gauge cluster. You can also get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. Other goodies include an optional wireless charger, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, and an entertainment system for the back seats

Turbocharge the Journey

The Sorento comes with a 2.5-liter turbo engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. That means you've got all the power you need to take on any terrain.

Torque-Vectoring All-Wheel Drive

Why not take the less-traveled road with an all-wheel-drive system? It monitors road conditions and distributes power to the wheels for better traction and control.

Remote Start & Climate Control

Remote start and climate control let you start your car from a distance and set the temperature inside before you even get in.

Find My Car

With Available Find My Car, you can easily find and get directions to your Kia using the Kia Access app.

Voice Assistant

Available Voice Assistant works with Amazon Alexa, so you can use your voice to control stuff like starting your car or adjusting the climate.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Sorento has a bunch of standard and optional safety features. To find out more about the car's crash test results, check out the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Some key safety features:
- Automatic emergency braking that can detect pedestrians and cyclists
- Lane departure warning and help keeping the car in its lane
- Adaptive cruise control with lane centering
Those are just a few examples. There are other safety features that come standard or as options.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Kia has a pretty great warranty plan, but it doesn't include free maintenance like Hyundai does. The Kia warranty only covers the car for five years or 60k000 miles, while the powertrain is covered for 10 years or 100k000 miles. There's no free scheduled maintenance with Kia.