Car Review
6 reasons to consider the new 2024 Kia Sorento
It’s time for this midsize SUV to step out of its older sibling’s shadow.
Allison Bell | July 15, 2024
Discussed in this article
- Lots of options, lots of value
- Kia Sorento LX: $31,990
- Kia Sorento S: $34,390
- Kia Sorento EX: $37,990
- Kia Sorento SX: $41,690
- Kia Sorento SX Prestige: $46,390
- Standard features galore — including wireless Apple CarPlay
- Just as pretty inside and out
- It still offers a (pretty decent) third row
- Better fuel economy
- Ultimately a money-saver
Photo courtesy of Kia
In the car world, the 2024 Kia Sorento is the younger sibling to the attention-commanding and uber-popular Kia Telluride. For proud owners of the Telluride, they may have experienced its allure, versatility and unbeatable value. However, in the sea of SUV options, the Sorento stands out as a compelling alternative that just might sway even the most loyal Telluride enthusiasts.
Boasting its own unique blend of attractive traits, the Sorento presents a tempting proposition for anyone in the market for a midsize three-row SUV. Here are six compelling reasons why you might want to consider buying a Sorento over a Telluride.
Photo courtesy of Kia
Lots of options, lots of value
Buckle up, because you have several options when it comes to the full Sorento lineup and it can get a little overwhelming. This midsize SUV comes in five main trims, with a price range of $31,990 for the base LX to $46,390 for the range-topping SX Prestige. Front-wheel drive is standard on all trims except the SX Prestige, which comes with all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional on all other trims except the base LX model.
Engine-wise, the bottom two trims, LX and S, come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, as well as an eight-speed automatic transmission. All the higher trims come with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that puts out 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, as well as an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Other than that, here are some of the key features and differences among all Sorento models.
Kia Sorento LX: $31,990
Cloth upholstery
Seating for seven
12.3-inch touch screen
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Pedestrian and cyclist detection
Lane-keep assist
Adaptive cruise control
Kia Sorento S: $34,390
Synthetic leather upholstery
18-inch wheels
Roof rails
Gloss black exterior accents
Highway Driving Assist
Front and rear parking sensors
Wireless phone charger
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Kia Sorento EX: $37,990
3,500-pound towing capacity
20-inch wheels
Seating for six passengers with second-row captain’s chairs
Smart power liftgate with auto-close
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
X-Line package ($41,690 total) adds different styling, all-wheel drive, higher ground clearance and a panoramic sunroof
Kia Sorento SX: $41,690
Highway Driving Assist 2
Surround-view camera
Panoramic sunroof
LED tail lights
12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
Ventilated front seats
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Power-folding side mirrors
X-Line package ($43,490 total) adds same features as X-Line EX package
Kia Sorento SX Prestige: $46,390
Includes X-Line package contents
Leather upholstery
Heated second row
Heated steering wheel
Bose premium sound system
Rear sunshades
X-Pro package ($47,390 total) adds 17-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires and 4,500-pound towing capacity
One of the more impressive things was that the top-of-the-line SX Prestige X-Pro tester still managed to keep things under $50,000. It came with increased towing capacity, a Bose premium sound system, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, rear parking collision-avoidance assist, a digital rearview mirror, retractable rear sunshades, a universal garage door opener and a suede headliner. It came in the beautiful Olive Brown Leather package for $48,025 (not including freight and handling). How Kia manages to pack in so many luxuries at such an affordable price remains a mystery, but people are grateful they do!
Photo courtesy of Kia
Standard features galore — including wireless Apple CarPlay
The Sorento’s base offering of standard features and amenities is pretty generous. Like the Telluride, it comes with a 12.3-inch touch screen, a six-speaker stereo, HD Radio, satellite radio, remote start, push-button start, remote keyless entry and multiple USB ports. Standard safety features also include such must-haves as blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. Again, these features are standard on the base trim. Plenty of higher-end vehicles offer much less for a more expensive price.
Now, let’s talk about something the Sorento has that the Telluride doesn’t. For reasons many people don’t understand, one thing you can’t get with the Kia Telluride is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This still requires a wired connection. The Sorento, however, does offer this feature. While most wouldn’t make a purchase decision based on this one feature alone, it definitely goes in the pro column for the Sorento. (But seriously, Kia … Can we get wireless Apple CarPlay in the Telluride already?)
Just as pretty inside and out
While perhaps a subjective statement, many people agree that the Sorento looks pretty darn good these days. What’s not to love about the rugged, aggressive exterior styling combined with an attractive, comfortable and well-built interior that belies its price tag? As mentioned above, the Olive Brown leather is particularly easy on the eyes and makes you feel like you’re driving something much ritzier.
Photo courtesy of Kia
It still offers a (pretty decent) third row
A positive aspect about the Sorento is that you can still pack in a couple more passengers with the third row, even if it’s a little snug. And finding a three-row midsize SUV for as low as $31,990 is virtually unheard of anywhere else.
Photo courtesy of Kia
Better fuel economy
Hybrid models aside, the Kia Sorento is the obvious choice if you’re looking to maximize your fuel efficiency. Where the Telluride gets a so-so 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway (18/24 mpg if you have all-wheel drive), the Sorento is rated at 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Even the turbocharged four-cylinder engine with all-wheel drive (which was the one on the tester) gets 20/27 mpg city/highway. It may not be phenomenally better, but those extra miles add up over the course of ownership.
Photo courtesy of Kia
Ultimately a money-saver
Yes, you’ll save a little at the pump with the Kia Sorento over the Kia Telluride, but you’ll also save thousands of dollars upfront. There’s a $4,000 difference between the base Sorento and the base Telluride. For some, that might not be significant enough to opt for the smaller SUV. But if you’re on a tight budget and every dollar counts, the Sorento is a pretty decent alternative.
Shop 2024 Kia Sorento models on KSL Cars
The makes and models mentioned in this article are not placed in any particular order, nor intended to be viewed as a ranked list. KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.
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