Amit Saraswat 
New look, colour options
The new 2024 Kia Sorento makes its debut at the ongoing Los Angeles auto show. The updated design of the Sorento now falls in line with the EV range of Kia, featuring the Star Map LED lighting. The new Sorento features vertical LED headlights and amber-coloured LED DRLs. It also features a revised interpretation of Kia’s signature Tiger Nose grille. The side and rear profiles of the three-row SUV remain largely unchanged.
For the MY24, the new Sorento offers Midnight Lake Blue and Dawning Red exterior colours. The hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric variants, which are set to launch in late 2024, will additionally offer lush Dust Blue interior colour options.Â
Streamlined interior
Moving to the inside, the new Sorento offers a couple of feature additions over the outgoing model. The first highlight of Sorento’s interior is the panoramic curved glass, which packs two screens — a 12.3-inch driver instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. In addition, the new Sorento offers a streamlined cabin featuring horizontally-placed AC vents and controls.
New operating system, features
On the technology front, the 2024 Kia Sorento runs on Kia’s latest Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) operating system. The new OS claims to offer faster processing and a fluid user experience. In addition, the infotainment system also supports over-the-air (OTA) updates and wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Its cabin also packs ample USB-C chargers to keep your smartphones and devices juiced up.
Another feature of the updated Kia Sorento is the digital key, which supports both Apple and Samsung devices. Users can also use the NFC-enabled smart card to lock/unlock the car and drive off, without having the physical key. Additionally, vehicle owners also get the option to share the digital key with family and friends over text messages on compatible devices.
X-Pro for pro offroad junkies
Like before, the Sorento offers the X-Line variant offering a rugged exterior appeal. The X-Line additions also include a centre locking differential, roof rack, X-Line front and rear bumpers, gloss black front grille and 20-inch alloy wheels. Users who seek a greater sense of adventure can move forward to the new X-Pro variant.
The Sorento X-Pro replaces the X-Line’s road-going 20-inch alloy wheels with a set of 17-inch wheels, which come wrapped with BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres. In addition, the X-Pro offers increased towing capability of up to 4,000 lbs.Â
Hybrid powertrains to join later
The updated Kia Sorento continues with its 2.5L naturally-aspirated and 2.5L turbocharged petrol engines. In the naturally-aspirated form, the engine puts out 191PS of power and 258Nm of torque and comes coupled with an 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The 2.5L turbocharged petrol engine, on the other hand, comes mated to an 8-speed wet-type dual-clutch automatic transmission, and puts out 281PS of power and 421Nm of torque.
As we mentioned earlier, hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric variants will join the lineup later. As a result, while the petrol variants of the Sorento will offer a refreshed design and new features, buyers seeking better fuel efficiency will have to settle for the older body style.
