We tested the renewed Kia Sorento 2024: long live diesel!

Kia It is one of the best-selling brands in our country, specifically the sixth until the end of last May; And although the Sorento is very far from being the model to which they owe all their success (since January it has only reached 600 or so sales), it is crucial in the objective of achieving the good brand image that they have managed to forge in Europe. In fact, it is the flagship, the largest, most luxurious and technological car (with permission from the electric EV9) that the Korean firm has in its catalog today. Now comes the time to welcome the renovated Kia Sorento 2024, which is updated precisely to get closer to its zero-emission counterpart.

Just look at the new front of the Sorento to answer the reason for this makeover. Its design inherits a high level of style and philosophy launched by the EV9: more marked lines, more present angles, an even larger grille and full LED headlights perfectly camouflaged at the ends of the grille. It is, without a doubt, the part that changes the most in the family SUV with up to seven seats, although not the only thing.

A generalist with a lot of premium air

There are also new rims from 17 to 20 inches (hybrids will only have 18), three new body colors (Volcanic Sand, Interstellar Gray and Cityscape Green, the latter at no additional cost), new bumpers, darkened taillights and the integration of the third brake light in the spoiler.

Inside, the dashboard is another highlight. Now incorporate a double 12,3-inch curved screen each one - for the instrumentation and the entire infotainment system with connectivity - and the central part of the steering wheel also already integrates the new logo of the Korean brand.

In terms of quality and space, everything offers a sensation above the usual average in a generalist model (in this sense, the touch premium liquors that they want to transport with the Sorento) and, as you can imagine, its more than 4,8 meters in length They are more than enough for five adults, even large ones, to travel in great comfort. The third row of seats, however, should be reserved for not very corpulent people or children.

Kia Sorento 2024 engines: bet on diesel and electrified ones

The mechanical range only slightly modifies the powers of the electrified ones due to the new European regulations and the new calculation process in WLTP. Therefore, the diesel with a 2.2 engine it declares 194 HP and is associated with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission; the conventional hybrid, with a 1.6 TGDI engine and a 1,49 kWh battery, delivers 215 HP and is linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission; and the plug-in hybrid, with a 12,8 kWh battery for about 55 km of electric range, now produces 253 HP.

Both the diesel and the hybrid with the Eco label can be purchased with front or all wheel drive. The plug-in, for its part, will always be 4×4.

Equipment of the new Kia Sorento

Everyone distributes their equipment in three levels (Drive, Emotion and Premium Pack.) From the first we find blind spot assistant, autonomous emergency braking, full LED headlights, navigator with parking assistance camera and connectivity on a 12,3-inch screen or lane following assistance as standard.

The intermediate adds 18-inch wheels, a blind spot monitor, panoramic sunroof, digital instrumentation, Bose audio system, 360 view camera, electronically adjustable driver's seat, side parking sensors, hands-free tailgate and charger smartphone inductively.

The top of the range includes self-leveling rear suspension, 20-inch wheels, Nappa leather upholstery, Digital 2 key with mobile phone and fingerprint reader, ventilated front seats, Head-UP display and remote parking with key.

Diesel can't die...

In our brief contact we were able to drive the more equipped 4×2 diesel version, which from my point of view is the most rational of all for family use and many kilometers. His response is frank, although without forgetting that we are approaching (or even exceeding) 2 tons of weight and he needs space for overtaking.

Comfort is, without a doubt, its most notable aspect and, in the case of the tested engine, also consumption... We were around 6,5 liters per 100 km, which is not bad at all if we take into account its dimensions . With 67 liters of tank capacity, approximately the 1.000 km of autonomy in each full refueling.