A Modern Marvel with a Personal Touch

Just under a decade ago, the Kia Sorento captured the hearts of many with its blend of efficiency and value, particularly with the 2.2 CRDi model—a personal recommendation I made to countless friends and family. Those same vehicles are still in service, a testament to their enduring appeal and reliability.

Fast forward to today, and the latest iteration, the MQ4 chassis, stands ready to continue that legacy. Despite the challenges of soaring Certificate of Entitlement (COE) prices, the new Kia Sorento Hybrid SX Tech Pack is a vehicle that deserves a closer look.

Design and Styling

Upon first glance, the 2024 Kia Sorento Hybrid makes a striking impression. The design language, which debuted on the Kia EV9 Electric, includes a commanding grille and vertically oriented headlamps, accented by the now-iconic Kia daytime running lights.

These updates enhance its aesthetic and position the Sorento at the forefront of modern SUV design, reflecting a bold step forward for the brand.

Interior Luxury

Stepping inside the Sorento feels like entering a high-tech sanctuary. The standout feature is the massive, integrated display (over 24 inches wide) stretching elegantly across the dashboard. This setup simplifies the interface, allowing drivers to toggle effortlessly between climate and infotainment systems via a new horizontal touchscreen panel.

The interior design is thoughtful and user-centric, focusing on comfort with plush, ventilated seats that make every journey a pleasure.

Dimensions and Driveability

The Kia Sorento is undeniably substantial in size, but it handles like a much smaller vehicle. Its generous dimensions provide plenty of room inside without feeling bulky on the road. Thanks to the advanced lane assist system, navigating through tighter spaces is less intimidating, enhancing the driving experience significantly.

Driving the Sorento around town, you feel a reassuring sense of control and stability, a rare find in vehicles of this size.

Performance and Efficiency

The heart of the Sorento is its 1.6-litre turbo hybrid engine, a powerhouse that delivers 212 bhp and 366 Nm of torque. The performance is smooth, and the transition between electric and gasoline power feels seamless.

While you can hear the engine work hard upon heavy acceleration, it is never intrusive, showcasing the Sorento’s good sound insulation.

The performance is pretty punchy. With the century sprint in just over 9 seconds, the car accelerates promptly and switches from EV mode to ICE mode seamlessly—proving that power and hybrid efficiency can coexist beautifully.

While testing, I noted the fuel efficiency to be around 14 km/L, not quite reaching the ambitious 19.6 km/L touted by Kia, yet still impressive for its class, especially given the full use of amenities like air conditioning during my drives.

Daily Conveniences and Safety

Kia has packed the Sorento with features that enhance daily driving. Everything is designed to create a comfortable and connected driving environment, from ventilated seats and a wireless charging pad to seamless integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The addition of a 12-speaker Bose sound system elevates the audio experience, making every commute feel like a private concert.

Conclusion

The 2024 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX Tech Pack is more than just a vehicle; it feels like a mobile extension of my home. Its blend of style, comfort, and cutting-edge technology makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and luxurious SUV.

For those with a long history with the brand, this latest Sorento is a proud continuation of Kia’s legacy of innovation and value. It’s a vehicle that meets the modern driver’s needs and does so with flair and a personal touch that’s hard to find elsewhere in the market.

Now, could we just remove that huge ‘SORENTO’ emblazoned on the side?

Technical Specifications

Kia Sorento

Powertrain: 1,598 cc Turbocharged Hybrid
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Power: 212 bhp combined
Torque: 366 Nm
Gearbox: 6-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 9.3 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 193 km/h
Fuel Consumption: 19.6 km/l
Price: S$270,999 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Kia Singapore

Photo Credits: Joel Tam (@carboy_365)

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For those of you eyeing a practical 7-seater SUV, this one might just be the ride you’ve been waiting for.

This facelifted Sorento Hybrid looks sharp, with its sleeker, more defined front end. The revamped bumper, grille, and slimmed-down taillights resemble both the EV9 and the new Carnival. 

Take a walk to the rear, and you’ll notice the previously separated taillights now gently bridged together at the top. Small changes, but they give the Sorento an even more commanding presence on the road. 

Inside, the Sorento Hybrid has had a serious makeover. The dashboard now features what Kia calls a “single curved panel,” which elegantly merges a pair of 12.3-inch screens.

Kia’s hallmark switchable control panel sits right beneath, and the cabin now feels more premium.

If you remember, the original Sorento arrived in Singapore with a turbodiesel engine. But in this facelifted version, it’s all about petrol-electric power. And with the updated hybrid system, this SUV feels fresher, more relevant to the times we’re driving in. 

Under the hood, the new Sorento Hybrid boasts a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, paired with a 64bhp electric motor. Combined, you’re looking at 212bhp and a beefy 366Nm of torque. 

All this power is funnelled through a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, clearing the century sprint in a respectable 9.3 seconds. It’s slightly down on power compared to the pre-facelift version, but the extra electrical shove more than makes up for it.

Now, if you’re only focusing on those power numbers, you might miss the real magic – the hybrid efficiency. Kia claims an impressive fuel consumption of 19.6km/litre, which is amazing for an SUV of this size. 

Tech-wise, this is the most advanced Sorento yet. The latest generation of driving assistance features is fully loaded as standard. Whether you’re cruising down the highway or navigating busy streets, you’ll have systems like Forward Collision Avoidance Assistance, Lane Keep Assist, and Blind-Spot Monitors working with you.

And if you’re upgrading to the SX Tech Pack, ambient mood lighting, a powered panoramic sunroof, and tunes blasting from a 12-speaker BOSE sound system are included.

Even if you opt for the base SX trim, you’re far from missing out. You get 8-way powered front seats with ventilation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and air-con vents for second and third-row passengers.

The SX Tech Pack just takes it all up a notch with extras like a head-up display and all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a top-tier variant.

With prices starting from $244,999 for the SX trim (COE included), the Sorento Hybrid is now available for viewing at Kia’s showroom.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!