The 2024 Kia Sorento represents a turning point for Kia’s midsize SUV—one that blends design confidence, real-world versatility, and a broadened powertrain strategy into a single, cohesive package. While many competitors chase either ruggedness or refinement, the Sorento continues to occupy a smart middle ground, appealing equally to families, commuters, and adventure-minded drivers. With its bold redesign introduced for 2024 and continued enhancements carrying forward, the Sorento feels deliberately engineered for how people actually use their vehicles.
A sharper, more confident presence
The most immediate change is visual. The Sorento adopts a boxier, more upright stance that communicates strength without looking bulky. The squared hood, vertical lighting elements, and Kia’s signature Star Map lighting give the SUV a more premium and assertive road presence, borrowing design cues from larger siblings while maintaining its own identity. The result is an SUV that looks modern and purposeful whether parked in a city garage or pulling into a trailhead.
X-Line and X-Pro variants further elevate that presence. Blacked-out Kia logos, black Sorento badging, and dark-finish wheels add a stealthy, upscale edge, while exclusive colors like Panthera Metal reinforce the trim-specific personality. These aren’t decorative tweaks—they visually align the Sorento with buyers who want their vehicle to project capability as well as style.
An interior shaped around daily use
Inside, the Sorento continues its evolution toward a more technology-forward, calming cabin. A panoramic curved display dominates the dashboard, integrating digital instrumentation and infotainment into a single flowing unit. Powered by Kia’s next-generation Connected Car Navigation Cockpit, the system is quicker to respond and easier to navigate than previous iterations, reducing friction during everyday driving.
The layout emphasizes horizontal lines, creating a sense of width and openness across all three rows. Thoughtful touches—USB-C ports throughout the cabin, wireless smartphone connectivity, and intuitive controls—make the Sorento feel designed around people rather than specifications. On a recent highway drive, the clarity of the displays and simplicity of the menus made long stretches feel noticeably less tiring, a subtle but meaningful advantage.
Material quality also deserves mention. Soft-touch surfaces, available wood-style trim, and earthy interior color options give the cabin a refined yet approachable atmosphere. It’s premium enough to feel special, but durable enough to handle real family life.
X-Line and X-Pro: capability without compromise
What truly separates the Sorento from much of the midsize SUV field is how seriously it treats adventure-oriented trims. The X-Line brings standard all-wheel drive, unique bumpers, roof rack capability, and a center-locking differential—features that aren’t just aesthetic but functional.
The X-Pro takes this further. With 17-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, increased sidewall height improves ride comfort on rough surfaces and enhances durability off pavement. Towing capacity rises to up to 4,500 pounds, enabling owners to confidently pull small campers, boats, or utility trailers. For buyers who enjoy weekend escapes but still need weekday practicality, this balance is rare.
Picture a real-world scenario: a Friday evening departure with a compact travel trailer in tow, followed by a gravel access road and unpredictable weather. The Sorento X-Pro is engineered for exactly that kind of use—then ready for school drop-offs and office commutes on Monday morning.
Powertrains that match diverse needs
The Sorento’s gas-powered lineup continues to offer two proven engines. Entry trims use a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder that delivers smooth, predictable power well-suited to daily driving. Upper trims benefit from a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that significantly boosts horsepower and torque, making highway passing and mountain driving far more effortless.
Available active all-wheel drive enhances traction in varying conditions, distributing power intelligently and supporting stability through corners and low-grip surfaces. The system operates seamlessly in the background, allowing the driver to focus on the road rather than managing drivetrain settings.
Importantly, the Sorento lineup complements Kia’s broader strategy by sitting alongside hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, giving buyers flexibility across gasoline and electrified options.
Safety that inspires confidence
Standard safety remains a major strength. The Sorento includes a comprehensive suite of collision avoidance and driver-assistance technologies across the lineup. These systems are designed to support, not overwhelm—quietly monitoring surroundings and stepping in only when needed. Higher trims add advanced highway assistance features that help manage speed, distance, and lane positioning during long drives, reducing fatigue without removing driver engagement.
This layered approach to safety makes the Sorento particularly appealing to families and long-distance drivers who value reassurance over flashy automation claims.
Pricing and trim positioning
For the ICE lineup carrying forward from the refreshed Sorento, pricing reflects the SUV’s competitive positioning in the midsize segment:
| Trim | Drivetrain | MSRP (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| LX | FWD | $31,990 |
| S | FWD / AWD | $34,590 – $36,590 |
| EX | FWD | $38,090 |
| SX | FWD | $41,690 |
| X-Line EX | AWD | $41,790 |
| X-Line SX | AWD | $43,490 |
| X-Line SX-P | AWD | $46,390 |
| X-Pro SX-P | AWD | $47,390 |
What stands out is how much technology, capability, and design Kia delivers before reaching luxury-brand pricing. Few competitors offer this combination of three-row versatility, advanced tech, and genuine off-road readiness in the same price window.
Brand strength and ownership confidence
Backed by Kia America, the Sorento benefits from a brand that continues to climb in quality and influence. Extensive dealer coverage, U.S.-based assembly for many models, and strong warranty support contribute to long-term peace of mind—an increasingly important factor for today’s buyers.
Related: 2024 Kia Sorento Overview
Conclusion
The 2024 Kia Sorento succeeds by refusing to specialize too narrowly. It’s not just a family hauler, not just an adventure SUV, and not merely a tech showcase—it’s all of these in measured, thoughtful balance. With confident styling, a modern and intuitive interior, capable X-Line and X-Pro trims, and competitive pricing, the Sorento stands as one of the most versatile midsize SUVs available today. For buyers who want one vehicle that adapts to changing needs without compromise, it remains a compelling and well-rounded choice.
FAQs
Is the 2024 Kia Sorento good for towing?
Yes. Properly equipped X-Pro models can tow up to 4,500 pounds, making them suitable for small campers and trailers.
What makes X-Line and X-Pro trims different?
X-Line adds rugged styling and AWD capability, while X-Pro enhances off-road hardware and towing performance.
Does the Sorento offer advanced technology as standard?
Yes. A wide range of driver-assistance features and wireless smartphone connectivity are standard across trims.
Is the third row practical?
The third row works well for children or adults on shorter trips, with flexible seating that balances passenger and cargo needs.
Are electrified versions available?
Hybrid and plug-in hybrid Sorento models complement the gas-powered lineup, offering additional efficiency options.
