2024 Kia Sorento offers value, versatility, options, best warranty

The Kia Sorento debuted in the United States in 2002, joining the quickly expanding sport utility vehicle segment. Two ensuing decades resulted in four generations of the versatile, well-priced family haulers including the 2024 and 2025 editions.

A small three-row SUV, the Sorento is available in LX, S, EX, SX and SX Prestige. X-Line and X-Pro versions of certain trim levels are available. There are also a Sorento Hybrid and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid. The 2024 and 2025 editions have little difference and are continuations of the generation unveiled in 2021.

With varying recipes offered, Kia debuted the X-Pro trim in 2024 models. It swaps the X-Line trim’s 20-inch wheels for 17-inch wheels with BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. The off-road leaning X-Pro SX Prestige also has an improved towing capacity of 4,500 pounds. But the amended package ($1,000) is modest. Nothing is different with the driving modes or suspension to further improve off-road treks.

The Sorento lineup’s full names are cumbersome. But all models offer combined value with arguably the most intuitive and practical technology equipment in the industry.

Base models are sometimes bleak, but not the Kia LX. It features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It has front-wheel drive, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a second row with a 60/40-split folding bench seat and seven-passenger seating. A six-speaker audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is also available with wireless connectivity.

The 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen offers extreme clarity, including an image of the vehicle that simulates the vehicle’s movement and proximity to potential obstacles. Gone are different colored lines, obnoxious alarms if something is a half-mile away and a way-too-strong back-up warning.

What the driver assistance equipment offers is forward-collision warning with automatic braking. It warns the driver of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios. Adaptive cruise control maintains a driver-set distance between the Sorento and the car in front.

Lane-keeping assistance steers the Sorento back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker. Intersection collision mitigation warns of an impending collision during a left turn and applies the brakes in certain scenarios.

A blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning offers an alert if a vehicle is in the blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse. The rear automatic braking system brakes if sensors detect an imminent rear collision.

Of course, additional trims add equipment, with highlights in the S trim including keyless entry and push-button start, synthetic leather upholstery, a wireless device charging pad and front and rear parking sensors.

Beginning with EX trim, the Sorento includes a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 281 horsepower and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

A hands-free liftgate, second-row captain’s chairs add comfort and convenience but reduce the rear seating capacity to six. There are also power-adjustable front passenger seat and a lane-centering system. It’s initially unnerving, but the minor steering corrections are safety-wise. They keep the vehicle centered in its lane.

The reviewed new X-Pro SX Prestige features all-wheel drive, sportier styling, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats with additional adjustments, heated steering wheel and seated second-row seats, rear sunshades, an upgraded 12-speaker Bose audio system and a 115-volt household-style power outlet.

With its eight gas configurations, the 2024 Sorento begins at $33,365 and extends to $48,765. As equipped, the reviewed SUV costs $49,400.

Acceleration in the 0-60 miles per hour standard test takes 6.8 seconds. Gas mileage averages are 20 miles per gallon in city driving, 27 mpg gallon on the highway.

What the Sorento offers is a quiet, versatile ride, a lot of trim choices, sufficient cargo space, fair pricing and the manufacturer’s best-in-the-industry 10-year, 100,000 limited powertrain warranty. It’s a worthy choice.

James Raia is a syndicated automotive columnist based in Sacramento who also contributes business, lifestyle, sports and travel articles to several print and online publications. Email: james@jamesraia.com.