2023 Kia Sorento PHEV Interior: Good Tech, Frustrating Tech
Dealmaker or deal-breaker? Here’s how the Sorento’s touchscreen measures up.
What makes a good infotainment system? Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to a screen’s orientation and size to the choice between simple and feature-rich interfaces. That said, there’s little ambiguity that the infotainment unit inside our yearlong review 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV is showing its age. Although there are aspects of the Sorento’s system I admire, there are also several elements I wish were different. How easy is it to use the infotainment system and other interior controls? That’s what we’ll explore in this update.
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Tap Dance: Touchscreen Responsiveness and Clarity
When the current generation of the Sorento debuted for 2021, we were impressed by its crisp and colorful 10.3-inch infotainment screen. Three years later, the graphics still look good. In other ways, though, the screen seems less impressive. Responding quickly to touch inputs is essential for a positive user experience, and unfortunately, our Sorento falls short in this area. Whether using Kia’s built-in interface or Android Auto, I encounter a brief but noticeable lag after tapping icons on the screen. Since I anticipate a delay with every tap, it makes me want to use the system less. In a 2022 Ford Edge I recently drove, the screen was much quicker to respond. Fortunately, the touchscreen in the refreshed 2024 Sorento is more responsive.
Customization of Menus
After using too many touchscreens with tiny icons or cluttered menus, I value the large icons on the Sorento’s infotainment screen. I also appreciate the screen’s high degree of customization. I can easily change the layout by pressing and holding an icon, then dragging it to a new position on the screen.
Split-Screen Setup
The Sorento’s wide screen allows for the simultaneous display of two functions. I may allocate the larger portion of the screen to native navigation, and, with a vertical swipe, alternate info on the smaller screen for media, time, weather, or EV range. I can also allocate the smaller screen to Spotify from my phone. Still, I greatly prefer using only Android Auto. Switching the size allocation of each screen there requires only a simple tap, although again, the touchscreen’s responses are still sluggish.
Built-in Navigation … Anyone?
I won’t be giving up Google Maps with Android Auto anytime soon, but surprisingly, the Sorento’s built-in navigation system has its merits. It capably reroutes if you miss a turn and swiftly responds to voice commands for setting a destination. Voice recognition is pretty accurate, at least for simple instructions like this. Adding waypoints can be trickier. I like how it thoughtfully displays the upcoming two turns, assisting in lane preparation. It allows drivers to choose the most economical or fastest route, but it sometimes gives me less straightforward routes than Google Maps.
A Few Fun—But Gimmicky—Features
I was pleasantly surprised to learn Kia hasn’t limited kid-friendly features like Passenger Talk and Quiet Mode to the larger Telluride SUV and Carnival minivan. Even though Passenger Talk is rather easy to access if you designate it as your shortcut on the infotainment screen as I have, I don’t use the intercom feature very often. Quiet Mode mutes the rear speakers and limits cabin volume, but it’s no match for my noisy and boisterous toddlers. But my favorite novelty feature is Sounds of Nature, something I enjoyed on my long-term 2020 Hyundai Sonata. Now it has new sounds such as “Experience the Universe” and “On a Sailing Ship.”
Quick Climate Controls
For climate controls, Kia blends physical switches and capacitive buttons in a seamless way below the touchscreen. The capacitive buttons are noticeably quick to respond to touch (why can’t the infotainment system be like this?). I also appreciate the physical temperature toggles, a slick design that is replicated on the steering wheel for volume and other functionalities.
No Wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
Oddly enough, base 2023 Sorentos with the 8.0-inch touchscreen come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but all other Sorentos, including all PHEVs, get a 10.3-inch touchscreen and no wireless smartphone connectivity. Some other midsize SUVs offer these features as standard equipment, or as one step up from the base model. My Google Pixel 4a phone has no issues connecting with Android Auto, but I’ve experienced issues connecting a few older phones. A local dealership confirmed the Sorento’s infotainment system is working properly, however.
It has been a joy discovering how much the Sorento’s infotainment system can do. Adjusting the driver assist settings, viewing maintenance and PHEV info, communicating with rearmost passengers, and selecting the exact spot where the sound comes from inside the cabin are just some of the unexpected surprises. With its crisp graphics and straightforward menus, the infotainment system feels thoughtfully designed. But these niceties can’t hide the Sorento’s age. It disappoints with a lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but most crucially, its slow touch response.
Fortunately, Kia has resolved these issues on the refreshed 2024 Sorento, and we expect these updates to carry over to the refreshed Sorento Hybrid and Sorento PHEV, which will arrive as 2025 models. The updated Sorento’s infotainment system is easier to use, boasting a 12.3-inch touchscreen, improved processing power, and a redesigned menu structure. Plus, wireless smartphone connectivity is standard on all trims. Because it has over-the-air update capability, the new system should be much more future-proof than the current one.
For More on Our Long-Term 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV:
- Here’s Why We’re Driving a Very Niche 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV for a Year
- We Put Our Sorento PHEV to the Ultimate Test: Toddlers
- Is the Sorento PHEV a Good Daily Driver? 11 Pros and Cons
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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