Evolution of Greatness: 2019 Kia Sorento vs 2025 Kia Sorento

November 25th, 2024 by

The Sorento has been the benchmark in the midsize SUV segment for years, in reliability, comfort, and tech. Comparing the 2019 Sorento to the 2025 Sorento shows how Kia has honed its flagship SUV over time to meet the changing needs of drivers while keeping the essence of the car. This compares design, performance, features, and value.

Design and Exterior Changes
The 2019 Sorento had a traditional yet elegant look that appealed to families and professionals. Its exterior design had a conservative grille, well-proportioned headlights, and a solid body that looked durable. With 17-inch wheels as standard and 19-inch options, the 2019 Sorento was practical with a dash of style.

The 2025 Sorento takes a more aggressive approach to SUV design. Its new front fascia has a bigger “tiger nose” grille and LED lighting with an angular, futuristic look. Aerodynamic lines now dominate its profile, making it look sleeker, and 20-inch wheels make it look more commanding on the road. These changes match the design language seen across Kia’s SUV range so the Sorento stays modern and relevant.

Interior Quality and Comfort
Inside the 2019 Sorento the cabin was functional and comfortable. It could seat up to 7 people with an available third row for families that need extra capacity. Soft touch materials and simple controls were the interior theme, with higher trims getting premium leather and woodgrain trim. But technology was basic with a 7-inch screen as standard and 8-inch as an option for higher trims.

The 2025 Sorento takes interior design to the next level. With Kia’s focus on luxury-inspired detailing the cabin has premium materials like quilted leather seats, customizable ambient lighting, and a modern dual-screen infotainment setup. The third row in 2025 is more spacious and the second-row captain’s chairs are now available, making it more comfortable for passengers. With intuitive controls and advanced connectivity, the 2025 Sorento is a more immersive drive.

Powertrain and Performance Changes
The 2019 Sorento had two engine options: a 2.4L inline-four with 185 horsepower and a 3.3L V6 with 290 horsepower. The engines came with a 6-speed auto for the base engine and 8-speed auto for the V6. The V6 was smooth and had enough power for towing so it was a good option for drivers with diverse needs. All wheel drive was available to make the car capable in any road conditions.

Moving to the 2025 Sorento Kia has a range of efficient and powerful options. The base engine now has a turbocharged 2.5L inline-four with 281 horsepower, the hybrid has a 1.6L turbo engine with an electric motor for 227 horsepower and the plug-in hybrid has even more fuel efficiency with up to 30 miles of electric range. All trims have an 8-speed auto and the 2025 Sorento’s all-wheel drive has advanced terrain modes to make it more capable off-road and in inclement weather.

Technology and Safety Features
The 2019 Sorento had basic tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which were standard on all trims. Upper trims got upgrades like navigation, premium audio, and wireless charging. But driver assistance features were limited to higher trims like adaptive cruise control and auto emergency braking.

The 2025 Sorento goes all in on technology. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster pairs with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display to give you access to navigation, entertainment, and vehicle settings. Enhanced safety features like forward collision avoidance with pedestrian and cyclist detection, highway driving assist, and surround view camera are now standard on most trims. Kia’s Connected Services lets you control your vehicle through a smartphone app, showing how tech can be integrated into daily life.

Fuel Economy and Environmental Impact
Fuel economy on the 2019 Sorento varied by trim. The base 2.4L engine got 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway and the V6 got 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Those were good for its class but not as innovative as hybrid or alternative fuel powertrains.

In contrast, the 2025 Sorento takes big steps in efficiency. The turbo 2.5L engine gets up to 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway and the hybrid and plug-in hybrid get even more fuel savings. By offering electrified options Kia is meeting the growing demand for eco-friendly vehicles and stricter emissions standards.

Price and Trim
The 2019 Sorento was praised for its value and features across five trims: L, LX, EX, SX, and SX Limited. The base model started around $26,000 and was a great value for budget-conscious buyers. However, the lack of advanced safety features on lower trims was a drawback.

The 2025 Sorento takes that value proposition and adds more trims including new hybrid-only options. The base model starts at around $32,000 and with more features and performance. Though the higher entry price the advanced safety features, premium materials, and hybrid powertrains across trims cement its reputation as a versatile and value-packed SUV.

From the 2019 Kia Sorento to the 2025 Kia Sorento Kia is all about innovation and customer satisfaction. By designing, teaching, and eco-ifying the 2025 Sorento it will remain a player in the crowded SUV market. Whether it’s design, interior comfort or modern safety features the Sorento’s evolution shows Kia is thinking ahead of the driver.

 

Posted in New Kia Models