Kia Sorento review - Interior & comfort

Even before the facelift, the current Kia Sorento felt like a massive leap in terms of interior quality and design over its predecessor. Now, though, it’s even better and genuinely feels more upmarket and high quality since the update, thanks to nicer materials and a slick minimalist look borrowed from the electric Kia EV9. 

Some physical controls and infotainment shortcuts have since been removed, however, which might irk some buyers. We actually think they’re some of the best touch-sensitive controls to use as they’re responsive and nicely labelled.

Kia Sorento dashboard

The Kia Sorento’s dash design got a significant overhaul as part of its facelift, and things like the centre vertical air vents of the outgoing model have been swapped for simpler horizontal items, while the climate controls appear to have been taken from the EV6. The physical shortcut buttons on the side of the infotainment screen of the outgoing model have been removed too. 

There’s now a pair of 12.3-inch screens for the digital driver’s display and infotainment (the driver’s display in ‘2’ cars is a smaller 4.2-inch unit) and these span two-thirds of the dashboard on one seamless panel, much like in the Kia EV9. Most of the graphics look good, and it’s pretty snappy to respond, but the black background can make it a bit harder to read at a glance. The head-up display is also wide and heavily customisable, and there’s multi-colour ambient lighting on offer, adding a touch of class to the experience. Kia says that while the materials used are of a higher quality, they’re actually more sustainable than before, with faux leather upholstery and textiles made of recycled plastics.

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Equipment

Since its original launch in 2020, Kia slimmed down the Sorento’s trim range due to supply chain issues brought on by Covid-19 and the conflict in Ukraine. For a long time, just the well-equipped ‘Edition’ trim level was available, but since the facelift there’s a more comprehensive three-tier lineup comprising ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘4’ grades.

All Kia Sorentos are well equipped, but highlights include LED daytime running lights, front and rear foglights, heated door mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and a heated faux leather steering wheel. There’s also a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 4.2-inch driver’s display, front and rear parking sensors and a reverse camera among other features.

‘3’ trim adds 19-inch alloy wheels – up from entry-level 2’s 17-inch items – LED headlights with low beam assist, privacy glass, power-adjustable seats, heated seats on the second row, ambient lighting, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a premium Bose sound system. Not only that, but you also get wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree camera, plus more advanced safety kit such as collision avoidance tech and blindspot warning, and driver aids such as semi-autonomous driving on the motorway.

The ‘4’ trim is the plushest of the whole lineup, featuring a panoramic opening sunroof, black Nappa leather, adjustable ‘Relaxation’ seats with a memory function, ventilation and increased comfort, fingerprint recognition, and autonomous parking among other additions.

Options

The Kia Sorento is offered in a choice of six colours, but most of these are rather conservative, earthy tones aside from the Mineral Blue and White Pearl finishes. It’s a shame more vibrant tones aren’t available but of course this is a matter of personal preference. There are a handful of different alloy wheels and accessories such as sidesteps that can also be specified.