The 20-inch black wheels and new low-profile vertical front LED lights give the Sorento a premium, yet very aggressive look. (Photo: Rory Daly)
The Kia Sorento has evolved from an Asian value proposition into a credible rival to German luxury sport utility vehicles by every measurable metric, and with nothing left to prove, the 2024 Sorento is committed to further refining its already excellent qualities.
exterior
If you’ve heard the phrase “What if Darth Vader was driving?”, stop right there. It may be a well-worn cliché, but it couldn’t be more true for the Aurora Black Pearl tester provided to the Jamaica Observer Automotive. The Sorento maintains its chunky, muscular stance, further enhanced by the unique front light signature and a reinterpretation of the Kia Tiger grille. Both elements represent a company that is confident in its design language. But back to Vader. Riding on 20-inch wheels and with new thin vertical front LED lights, the Sorento gives a premium feel and a very aggressive style, like the car Darth Vader would drive if a Tie Fighter was stuck in the repair bay of the Death Star.
interior
Vader would be very comfortable in the Sorento. It might not be able to fit a family, but it could easily fit six Stormtroopers. There’s plenty of space, technology and even a panoramic sunroof. With quality materials and design elements galore, even an Emperor would be impressed. Every seat has a USB port and climate control access. Storage solutions are plentiful. The 10.25″ touchscreen infotainment system is as fast as the Millennium Falcon on the Kessel Run. Subtle, customizable ambient lighting further enhances an already sophisticated cabin experience.
Naturally in this market, key features are electric or automated for convenience and comfort. But features alone don’t make a premium car; it’s their application and execution that counts, and the Sorento hits that mark like the Death Star hitting Alderaan. For example, the climate controls are coordinated with the comfortable leather heated and cooled seats. Activate your turn signal and a live video feed of the respective direction appears on the digital instrument cluster.
Access to the third row is a simple press of a button from the second row, and while the seats must be manually flipped upright via the kick-open power rear hatch, the second row can be lowered electrically to create a vast amount of cargo space.
on the road
Turn the rotary selector into Drive and the Sorento continues to impress. In diesel spec, it’s the best compromise between fuel economy and performance. The 2.2-litre turbodiesel under the bonnet defies expectations and is virtually silent to occupants. No one would know it was a diesel, apart from the strong torque at low speeds and impressive fuel economy on a full tank. It’s smooth and powerful. There are a host of driver-assist features to make the Sorento a breeze to navigate in your everyday life, from autonomous braking to hands-free lane-keeping assist and active cruise control.
Yet the Kia hasn’t sacrificed driving quality. The suspension maintains its remarkable ability to soak up everything Jamaican roads throw at it, from bumps the size of a cheese grater to craters the moon would envy. Despite its size, the Sorento is always composed and controlled, never causing discomfort to its occupants. This isn’t due to a soft, overdamped suspension. Once up to speed, the Sorento responds well, using the all-wheel-drive system and eight-speed automatic transmission effectively. There’s no sense of body roll, and the confidence in the traction means you can hustle through curves with more than just its imposing presence, and the numerous terrain driving modes make it more than capable off-road.
Not only does the 2024 Kia Sorento have a premium interior and exterior, but unlike many of its rivals, its driving performance also belongs to the premium category.
