Kia All New Sorento Ambient Lighting Review: Cost & Results

Elevate Your Kia All New Sorento's Interior Ambiance

Looking to add a touch of sophistication and personalized flair to your Kia All New Sorento? If you missed out on the factory ambient lighting option or simply desire a more dynamic interior atmosphere, the Abicle Moving Ambient Lighting retrofit offers a compelling solution. This upgrade goes beyond basic illumination, enhancing your driving experience and increasing the perceived value of your vehicle's cabin. While older methods involved less sophisticated fiber optics, modern techniques like those used with Abicle's system involve embedding slim LED strips or utilizing non-exposed structures for a refined, subtle glow.

What is Abicle Moving Ambient Lighting?

Abicle Moving Ambient Lighting is a product developed and manufactured in Korea, boasting KC certification for quality and safety. The system has evolved through multiple versions, with ongoing updates to ensure compatibility across a wide range of vehicle models, including the latest Hyundai and Kia vehicles. While this specific installation on the All New Sorento had limited integration with factory functions like turn signals or climate controls, it still offers a rich feature set through a universal dial control. This includes multi-color moving effects, solid color options, welcome/goodbye sequences, and automatic brightness adjustment for day and night. Although the lack of full OEM integration might be a drawback for some, the system's ability to produce vibrant colors and smooth light transitions significantly enhances the interior mood. Crucially, the KC certification ensures the module's safety and durability for long-term use.

Kia All New Sorento Ambient Lighting Installation Process

The installation for the Abicle Moving Ambient Lighting on the Kia All New Sorento is typically performed using a 'non-exposed' method, ensuring a seamless and elegant light diffusion without direct glare. This approach is considered ideal for achieving a true mood lighting effect.

1. Preparation: The installation area, usually along the dashboard and door trims, is carefully prepared. For instance, existing chrome trim on the door handles might be removed to allow for precise LED strip placement.
2. LED Strip Installation: Thin LED strips are meticulously embedded into designated lines, such as the passenger side dashboard contour and within the door panel areas.
3. Wiring and Integration: The LED system is wired to the vehicle's power source and connected to the control module (in this case, a universal dial). Care is taken to ensure clean wiring management for reliability.
4. Testing and Finalization: After installation, all lighting functions are tested to confirm correct operation, color accuracy, and smooth transitions before the vehicle is returned to the owner.

The entire process for the All New Sorento typically takes approximately 3 to 5 hours, depending on the specific options and number of areas being illuminated. The cost for this type of ambient lighting retrofit in Korea starts in the range of 300,000 KRW (approximately $220 USD, subject to exchange rates), with variations based on the chosen kit and installation scope.