Kia’s Sorento X-Pro: BACKWOODS LUXURY

Kia’s Sorento X-Pro:

 BACKWOODS LUXURY

DE QUEEN, Ark—Surefootedly crawling up an overgrown, rocky, and seldom-used mountainous road on the north side of Lake De Queen, the 2024 Kia Sorento surrounded me in luxury.

In the 22 years since the crossover midsize SUV first hit these shores, the Sorento has grown from a competent people hauler into a refined daily driver loaded with state-of-the-art technology ready for adventure.

Sorento starts at $33,365. Our top-of-line Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige 2.5T AWD tester included an optional olive-brown leather package. It stickered at $49,400, delivered.

That alphabet soup after the name indicates stuff. The X-Pro trim denotes off-road prowess, while SX Prestige indicates high luxury and features. The 2.5T refers to a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, and AWD stands for all-wheel drive.

Beefcake exterior

The Sorento’s exterior strikes a balance between ruggedness and refinement. It combines  Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy with the concept of ‘Bold for Nature’.  An upright front hood and squared-off edges remind one of the segment-dominant Telluride, with amber daytime running lights reworked on the Sorento for a sleek aesthetic. 

Like the EV9, the Sorento boasts a broad and rectangular front grille, complemented by vertically stacked LED projector headlamps emphasizing the front end. Constellation-inspired Star Map lighting elements in the front and rear add a space-age feel.

The X-Pro trim adds exclusive styling elements, like unique front and rear bumpers, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a roof rack.

Roomy, refined cabin

Inside, the cabin blends functionality and comfort with premium materials. The SX Prestige trim offers Nappa leather seating, a panoramic curved display integrating a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a 12.3-inch TFT LCD information display.

Horizontal features such as air vents and controls lend a streamlined and modern aesthetic, creating a sense of openness.

Car and Driver magazine praises the Sorento’s upscale cabin and practical design: “The Sorento’s cabin is attractive, well-built, and brimming with standard and optional features.”

Performance

Under the hood, a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine generates 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a silky 8-speed automatic transmission, the Sorento delivers responsive performance and smooth handling.

Handling is crisp and precise, and the ride is quiet and stable, befitting a $50,000 machine.

The EPA estimates the Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige 2.5T AWD achieves 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. This places it competitively among its rivals, such as the Toyota Highlander AWD, which has an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, and the Honda Pilot AWD, which has 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.

To those of us who reached maturity in the previous century, those are impressive numbers, but both the Highlander and Sorento also come in hybrid models that deliver 32-36 mpg.

Unlike the Highlander, however, the Sorento also comes with a PHEV (plug-in hybrid) option for $50,290. What kind of mileage do those get? It depends.

The hybrid gas-electric piece delivers about 36 mpg  when the engine is running, but it does not run all the time. Owners plug the car into a 110-volt outlet and then can travel about 34 miles on electricity alone before the engine kicks in. That is about the average U.S. commute, but everyone has unique needs.

Blonde Beauty and I bought a Ford PHEV eight months ago and keep it topped up because she likes it that way. Over the first 2,400 miles, we purchased 12 gallons of gas. Yes, that works out to 200 mpg. Our electric bill increased by less than $2 a month.

Someday, people will discover how liberating it is not to go to the gas station every week.

Some day.

Off-road Capabilities

With an advanced AWD system, locking center differential, and hill-descent control, the X-Pro trim offers impressive off-road capability. Hybrid and PHEV models also come with all-wheel drive, which is more for keeping the car on the road in foul weather than heading into the hinterlands.

The X-Pro adds goodies like a center-locking differential, larger wheels, and all-terrain tires. It also adds cosmetic touches, like a plastic skid plate, but this is not a rock crawler.

For the adventurous, the vehicle is plenty competent. Motor Trend says, “The Sorento X-Pro is a capable off-roader, making it a smart choice for those seeking adventure without compromising comfort.”

High-tech safety

The Sorento has advanced safety and driver assistance systems, such as blind spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, and highway driving assist. Unlike most American manufacturers, Kia offers a full suite standard, not an option package found only on pricey models.

It works, too. The lane-deep assist keeps the car nicely centered in its lane, not ping-ponging from side marker to side marker. Dynamic cruise control allows vehicles to come to a complete stop in heavy traffic and to continue when vehicles start moving again.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has recognized the Sorento as a Top Safety Pick, citing its impressive performance in crash tests and superior-rated front crash prevention system.

Price and Value

Starting at around $46,000, the Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige 2.5T AWD competes in price, quality, and features with the Highlander, Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Mazda CX-70. All are more refined regarding materials, craftsmanship, and technology than comparable models like the Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Traverse.

Edmunds agrees: “With its upscale styling, practical interior, and an extensive list of standard features, the Sorento delivers excellent value in the midsize SUV segment.”

Bottom line

The 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige 2.5T AWD stands out with its blend of adventure-ready capabilities, premium features, and competitive pricing. If you are in the market for a midsize SUV that can navigate urban and off-road environments, the Sorento X-Pro SX Prestige 2.5T AWD is worth a test drive —preferably in the woods.