In recent years, one of the most popular domestic cars in South Korea is Kia's mid-size SUV, the Sorento.
The Sorento Hybrid is particularly well-suited for recreational activities like camping and car camping, while also effectively serving as a family car for families of 3 to 4 people,
Equipped with a turbo engine that boasts excellent fuel efficiency and a low displacement of around 1,600cc, it also offers great economic value.
Around this time last year, the Sorento underwent a facelift, incorporating the family look design that the Kia brand has been pursuing.
Thanks to this update, it has gained a more refined and modern image,
and it maintains strong competitiveness, even when compared to the completely redesigned Santa Fe MX5.
Objectively speaking, the Sorento Hybrid falls short when compared to the Santa Fe MX5 in terms of technology and convenience features.
Owners of the Santa Fe MX5 and previous Sorento models often compare the presence of an electronic steering system.
In the case of the Santa Fe MX5, the electronic steering system allows the driver to rest their hands on the wheel while using the highway driving assistance system, and the system recognizes that the driver is still holding the wheel.
However, the previous Sorento, lacking this electronic steering, triggers a warning if the driver does not turn the wheel beyond a certain angle, indicating that the driver is not holding it.
Some people often argue that the electronic steering system isn't that important, but personally, I find it much more convenient.
The Sorento, which uses a torque-based steering system, assumes the driver is not holding the wheel if they do not make any movements for a certain period, even on straight roads.
This creates an inconvenience where, even while using the highway driving assistance feature, the driver must periodically make slight adjustments to the steering wheel.
Because of this, there were expectations in the Sorento community that the 2025 model year would see the introduction of electronic steering to compete perfectly with the Santa Fe.
Recently, Kia officially released information to dealers, and I aim to write a post regarding this.
Sorento Model Year Update 2025 Information (Source: Sorento Members Community)
The image above likely comes from information that Kia officially distributed to dealers.
Historically, Hyundai and Kia vehicles have often changed optional features to standard during model year updates, even without separate facelifts or full redesigns,
This often results in a slight increase in price.
The same seems to apply to the upcoming Sorento model year update. It appears that not only will some features be added, but some previously optional features will become standard, enhancing the vehicle's marketability.
Sorento Model Year Update
Prestige Trim (price increase of 990,000 KRW, approximately 757 USD)
First, the Sorento is categorized into Prestige, Noblesse, Signature, and Signature Gravity trims.
During the model year update, I will explain the features and options for each trim level, as well as the extent of the price increases.
The lowest trim, Prestige, previously lacked the smart power tailgate feature, which was not available as an option. Therefore, anyone needing this feature had to choose at least the Noblesse trim.
However, the 2025 model year Sorento will include the smart power tailgate feature as standard in the Prestige trim,
Additionally, the Prestige trim will now come with a vibrating steering wheel, LED sun visor lights, and high-velour carpets as standard features.
The price increase for this trim is approximately 990,000 KRW (about 757 USD), and the inclusion of the smart power tailgate significantly enhances the vehicle's appeal.
Noblesse Trim (price increase of 690,000 KRW, approximately 524 USD)
In the case of the Noblesse trim for the 2025 Sorento, the vibrating steering wheel, LED sun visor lights, and high-velour carpets will also be standard features.
These three features are standard across all trims, and honestly, they might not be significant perks for those who choose the Noblesse trim. Nevertheless, the price increase of approximately 690,000 KRW (about 524 USD) might leave some buyers feeling dissatisfied.
By the way, the vibrating steering wheel likely alerts drivers to various warnings through vibrations instead of sounds, and I am curious about what high-velour carpets entail.
Personally, I wish the ambient interior mood lighting could have been included in the Noblesse trim—it would have significantly changed the interior atmosphere.
Signature Trim (price increase of 980,000 KRW, approximately 744 USD)
For the 2025 Signature trim, standard features will include the vibrating steering wheel, Digital Key 2, fingerprint authentication system, LED sun visor lights, and high-velour carpets, with a price increase of approximately 980,000 KRW (about 744 USD).
The Digital Key 2 and fingerprint authentication system were previously offered as part of the Smart Connect options, and personally, I believe they received mixed reviews, so there might be some dissatisfaction regarding their standardization.
Given the substantial price increase, I wonder how satisfied consumers will be with these changes. ^^;;
Sorento Model Year Update
Gravity Trim (price increase of 980,000 KRW, approximately 744 USD)
The Signature Gravity trim, which features a dark design like the Black Pack, will come with standard features such as a vibrating steering wheel, Digital Key 2, fingerprint authentication system, LED sun visor lights, high-velour carpets, dark gunmetal door garnishes, and black suede upholstery, with a price increase of approximately 980,000 KRW (about 744 USD).
I find it somewhat puzzling that the black suede upholstery, which was previously an option for the Signature and Signature Gravity trims when the Comfort option was selected, is now standard for the Gravity trim but not for the Signature.
While I understand that it is now standard, I question why it is not included in the Signature trim as well.
Especially since the price increase is the same for both the Signature and Signature Gravity trims, Signature buyers might have some concerns about this.
This concludes the detailed information shared about the 2025 Sorento model year update.
Personally, I feel disappointed that there are no significant changes or the previously mentioned electronic steering system included. However, I also realize that since this is not a full redesign or facelift, it might be reasonable.
I will end today's post here. Thank you.
