The facelifted 2024 Kia Sorento has been snapped testing in Korea ahead of its local launch in the second half of 2023.

    Korean news outlet Autospy posted photos of a 2024 Kia Sorento that appears to have adopted an EV9-inspired face and a tweaked rear.

    The Sorento’s side profile appears to be unchanged.

    Up front, the headlights appear to have adopted a similar vertical design to the EV9 and the Telluride, the latter of which isn’t sold in Australia.

    There looks to be a restyled front bumper with new air intakes.

    At the rear, the vertical tail lights retain the same shape however feature horizontal strakes.

    The Sorento is expected to receive new wheel designs, including the blacked-out pinwheel design on this prototype which has been previously spied on other prototypes.

    Kia is expected to make changes to the Sorento’s interior, which could include a similar wraparound screen assembly to the Sportage.

    The smaller SUV is available with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch centre infotainment system.

    Currently the Sorento receives a 10.25-inch touchscreen and the flagship GT-Line receives a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

    Media and climate control buttons are expected to find a new home on a combined touch-base panel like in the Sportage.

    Kia Australia has confirmed all updated and next-generation models will receive Kia Connect capabilities.

    The brand’s connected services use a combination of both live services and a smartphone app. The system communicates with an onboard modem via an Optus SIM card.

    Given the Sorento’s flagship status for Kia on a global level – the Telluride is exclusive to markets like North America and the Middle East – we could also expect to see new Hyundai Motor Group technology and/or more luxury features like ventilated second-row seating and tri- or quad-zone climate control.

    Depending on the market, we could also see things like matrix LED headlight technology – the new Sportage now offers this in Europe.

    The current fourth-generation Sorento launched globally in 2020.

    Locally, Kia offers the Sorento locally with diesel, petrol, hybrid and plug-hybrid powertrains.

    Last year the Kia Sorento (7889) outsold the related Hyundai Santa Fe (4595), as well as the Mazda CX-9 (6460).

    The Santa Fe is being redesigned, with a new, dramatically different-looking model set to launch in Australia in 2024.

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    MORE: Everything Kia Sorento

    Jade Credentino

    Jade Credentino is an automotive journalist currently based in Melbourne, Australia. Jade has had a chance to review a variety of vehicles and particularly enjoys SUVs. She enjoys traveling and going on road trips exploring Australia.

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