The Sorento has been one of the most popular midsize crossover SUVs from Kia in the UAE. The Kia Sorento started its journey as a compact SUV in 2002 when it was built around an old-school body-on-frame design. However, it wasn’t until its third-generation model that the Sorento actually skyrocketed in popularity – the fourth-gen model furthered the Sorento’s reputation in the region – the 2023 facelift promising tons of improvements.
In the meantime, if you are on a tighter budget, YallaMotor has listings of used cars for sale in Dubai. Whether you want to get new car prices in UAE or are interested in secondhand cars in Dubai, we have you covered. That said, the all-new Kia Sorento could very well be your next car, especially if you have the budget for a new car with modern technology and features. So, let us find out what makes the Kia Sorento 2024 model year worth your time.
Design
As mentioned before, the fourth-generation Kia Sorento was introduced in 2020, and it received a facelift in 2023. The Sorento now follows the Korean brand’s all-new "Opposites United" design philosophy. Even though Kia’s “Tiger Nose” design language was well-received, it appears that the company wants to move on. Keeping the philosophy aside, the exterior styling of the new Kia Sorento is bold yet modern in its outlook.
For instance, the frontend of the Sorento is not too revolutionary in its appearance to the pre-facelift model. It still possesses the wedge-shaped fascia that the earlier iteration was known for, though the new design language means that there are a few differences. The new ‘KIA’ logo is prominent at the lip of the hood, while the all-black grille is still there, but now boasting a new design. The most noticeable feature here is the vertically-stacked LED headlamps, similar to that found in the Kia EV9.
The headlights themselves sport four individual LED main units, while there are now two separate LED running lights – one running vertically and another running horizontally – the latter piercing into the top portion of the front grille. Kia has updated the design of the front and rear bumpers, while also installing new taillights with unique LED elements that look swanky. As for the new rear bumper, it now looks a touch more sophisticated thanks to the revised plastic cladding.
The new Sorento can be optioned with two-tone, 20-inch wheels that make this SUV appear all the more bold. There is quite a lot of chrome trim on the exterior as well – chrome window surrounds, front fender chrome garnish, and chrome strips on the door cladding. What is also new is the new positioning of the ‘Sorento’ and ‘AWD’ badges, the former being much smaller than on the pre-facelift Sorento.
Interior
The interior is where the differences between the pre-facelift and post-facelift models really come to the fore. Kia has heavily revised the design of the dashboard and center console, featuring newer & sleeker AC vents, all-new dual digital displays, and an adaptive control panel right beneath the center AC vents. This one panel can be the interface for the HVAC and infotainment systems, though operating it will be more challenging than physical buttons.
The digital displays sport a curved design, making them easy to view for the driver. The Kia Sorento now gets “Relaxation Comfort Seats” for the first row when the vehicle is parked, allowing the front occupants to perhaps catch a quick nap. The cabin feels unarguably spacious and accommodating, it can be had in either grey or black, embossed or nappa leather upholstery. Then there is the driver’s seat which, in the new Sorento, comes with air bladders that adjust automatically to optimize comfort and support.
Thanks to the twin-pane panoramic sunroof, the interior of the all-new Kia Sorento feels even more roomy than it already is. The middle row can be optioned with captain seats (in a 6-seat configuration) or with a bench (in a 5-seat configuration) – all of which are not lacking in comfort or leg room for those seated there. However, the third row in the 6-seater Sorento is generally not fit to carry adults, as these are primarily meant for kids.
The cabin is smothered with handy storage, multiple cupholders, rear-window sunblinds, front & rear armrests, adjustable AC vents for all three rows, plus seatback USB charging ports and seatback storage nets. Speaking of which, the cabin of the new Sorento remains reasonably quiet over almost every surface, with just a whisper of wind noise coming through at triple-digit speeds. With all three rows up, the boot space of the 2024 Kia Sorento is around 190 liters – expanding to about 616 liters with the third row down.
Features & Equipment
The all-new Kia Sorento is not one to miss out on modern features. Among the n-number of top kit that the 2024 Sorento gets, there is automatic LED headlights, a powered tailgate, a digital rearview mirror, a fingerprint scanner for unlocking personalized settings and even starting the engine, LED mood lighting, Terrain Mode selector, 10-inch head-up display, adaptive cruise control, a wireless charger, multi-zone climate control, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, and dual 12.3-inch screens.
The treasure chest of features of the 2024 Kia Sorento does not end there. Packed away under its more modern-looking skin are a raft of safety technologies that include (but are not limited to) Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The ADAS suite brings with it some really cool-sounding tech such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Surround View Monitor (SVM), and Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA).
Specifications
The all-new Kia Sorento in the UAE comes with two engine options. There is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter six-cylinder, both of which are naturally-aspirated petrol units. The four-banger is capable of putting out 178 hp and 232 Nm of torque, while the V6 develops 268 hp and 331 Nm of maximum twisting force. While the 2.5-liter Sorento is offered primarily in front-wheel-drive (FWD), the bigger motor is available in all-wheel-drive (AWD) format.
That said, all variants of the 2024 Kia Sorento come with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. In its slowest avatar, the Sorento 2.5 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just over 10 seconds. Meanwhile, the quickest variant of the Sorento can manage the same feat in about 8.7 seconds. When it comes to its top speed, the all-new Kia Sorento will see the speedometer touching around 200 km/h.
The Sorento’s fuel economy ranges between 12.8 km/l and 10.3 km/l, depending on the powertrain. Even though there is a Kia Sorento Hybrid sold in several foreign markets, it is not available in the UAE at present.
Price
In the UAE, the price of the all-new Kia Sorento is likely to start from under AED 120,000, with the fully loaded model coming in at over AED 165,000.
FAQs
How many passengers can the Kia Sorento seat?
A: Depending on the variant, the Kia Sorento can seat between 5 and 7 people.
What is the cargo capacity of the Kia Sorento?
A: The Kia Sorento’s cargo capacity ranges from around 190 to about 616 liters.
What are the different trims available for the Kia Sorento?
A: Depending on the market, the Kia Sorento is likely to be available LX, Mid, and EX1 trims.
Is the Kia Sorento suitable for towing?
A: The Kia Sorento can tow up to 1,800 kg, depending on the market and powertrain options.
How does the Kia Sorento's safety rating compare to other SUVs?
A: The Kia Sorento offers some of the latest safety features in the segment like a head-up display, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, 360-degree cameras, and adaptive cruise control.
