Kia Sorento updated for 2024, priced from $50,680

KIA has announced pricing for its updated MY24 Sorento seven-seat SUV range this week, the model range due in local showrooms this month priced from $50,680 plus on-road costs.

The new list price means the Kia Sorento range is now between $3030 and $3520 dearer than before, with the flagship GT-Line AWD Diesel retailing from $68,590 +ORC.

The popular competitor to the Hyundai Santa Fe (from $46,050 +ORC) and Toyota Kluger (from $51,790 +ORC) brings a new look inside and out, in addition to new comfort and convenience features, updated technology, and revised safety features.

Kia Australia says the facelifted Sorento range will remain consistent with the outgoing line-up and will continue to offer the choice of four powertrains, including turbocharged petrol and diesel, hybrid (HEV), and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) formats.

HEV and PHEV models will follow their ICE counterparts into showrooms later in the year with pricing and specification details to be announced in due course.

According to Kia, the new Sorento features multiple refreshed design elements, many drawn from the recently launched EV9. These include a new-look frontal design with updated headlights, grille and bumper, and a “subtly tweaked” rear-end that is said to offer a more modern and rugged appearance.

Inside, the Sorento now features a 4.0-inch multifunction LCD digital display on S, Sport and Sport + trim grades designed to replace the outgoing model’s analogue instrumentation. High grade GT-Line variants score a dual 12.3-inch high-definition displays, one each for the instrumentation and infotainment systems.

Adding to the standard equipment list found in the Sorento GT-Line is a digital rear-view mirror – also found in the EV9 – which lets the driver select between a standard mirror or rear-view camera for “maximum rear visibility and safety”.

Sport+ and GT-Line variants feature a Bose premium sound system with 12 speakers and subwoofer, while all grades now sport a shift-by-wire transmission lever for a “cleaner interior finish and increased sense of space”.

Once again, following in the footprints of the Kia EV9, an array of over-the-air updates will be available across the updated Sorento range, enabling the vehicle’s various systems to undergo constant wireless software improvements. The latest maps, interfaces, and software enhancements will be available instantly without the need for the customer to visit a Kia service centre.

Kia Connect connected car services are offered free of charge for the first seven years of ownership.

On the safety front, the 2024 Kia Sorento range brings the introduction of highway driving assist, a semi-autonomous technology that operates only when driving on a freeway or motorway.

It builds upon the adaptive cruise control functionality offered in the previous model, and now combines lane follow assist to keep the car centred in the lane even when driving through a curve.

GoAuto understands the MY24 Sorento range will carryover the five-star ANCAP safety rating issued in 2020.

Additionally, the new Sorento GT-Line flagship receives parking distance warning (front, side and rear) adding side detection zones to provide “a more comprehensive warning system that will warn the driver when a collision is likely during parking”.

Two new premium paint choices, Volcanic Sand Brown and Cityscape Green, have been added to the Sorento’s paint palette, bringing the exterior colour choices to a total of nine.

“The award-winning fourth generation Sorento took the large SUV segment by storm when it was launched in late 2020 and with the arrival of the enhanced model, what was already really good, is now even better,” said Kia Australia chief executive officer Damien Meredith.

“The upgrades and improvements offer significant benefits, and we believe the Sorento will exceed the expectations of anyone shopping in the seven-seat SUV market.”

2024 Kia Sorento pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.