2024 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid Expert Review
Reviewed by Alex Leanse
For three-row utility in a midsize SUV package, the Kia Sorento is a solution. This crossover offers several powertrain choices, including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) covered here. Updates for model-year 2024 are minimal, but a more extensive midcycle refresh is anticipated to arrive for 2025. Competitors to the Sorento PHEV include the Toyota Grand Highlander,Mazda CX-90, and Mitsubishi Outlander .
What's New
- Runway Red exterior paint discontinued
- Gravity Blue paint can now be paired with Navy interior colorway
- Navy interior now has gray headliner instead of black
What We Think
Even if the Sorento PHEV is a niche vehicle, it offers much to like. It's a rather sharp-looking SUV, with an edgy exterior and spacious, convenient, and stylish cabin. Although the Sorento is a three-row SUV, the PHEV version has only six seats and a snug third row, potentially limiting its family functionality. Still, there's a good amount of cargo space with the third row folded.
The Sorento PHEV drives comfortably, with balanced handling and stability aided by its heavy battery pack. This SUV's ability to cover more than 30 miles using only its electric motor is its primary appeal. Power suffices, but we've noticed a slight hesitation from pressing the accelerator to actually getting moving from a stop. At least braking feels consistent, an area some hybrids struggle with.
Other SUVs on either side of the size spectrum—from Kia and other automakers—might have more conventional appeal, but the Sorento PHEV offers a compelling, if unusual, mix of attributes. Just know well that a thoroughly updated version is likely only a year away.
Maybe Don't Buy a 2024 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid?
Well, that was unexpected. Kia recently presented an updated Sorento with distinct exterior design changes and a revised, higher-tech interior. Shown to international audiences, we figured the face-lifted model would come to the United States for 2024. However, shortly after that, Kia North America released official details on the 2024 Sorento PHEV—it's pretty much the same vehicle it was last year. We're therefore nearly certain that the updated Sorento PHEV will come to the United States for 2025. With that knowledge, we'd say it's probably best to wait a little longer and snag that latest-and-greatest version when it arrives, and not get a 2024 model.
Engine and Performance
The Sorento's plug-in hybrid powertrain combines a turbocharged 1.6-liter I-4 engine with a 66.9 kW electric motor, which together produce 261 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission distributes that output to standard AWD. In MotorTrend testing, the Sorento PHEV accelerated from 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds.
Sorento PHEV Range, Charging, and MPGs
The whole point of getting the Sorento PHEV is for its all-electric driving capability—if you simply wanted better fuel economy, you'd get the Sorento Hybrid. The 2024 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid can travel approximately 32 miles on a full battery charge. That battery can recharge at Level 2, not the faster Level 3, so it needs about 3.5 hours to replenish fully. Running in hybrid mode, the Sorento PHEV returns about 34 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
Is There a Kia Sorento EV?
Kia hasn't said anything about a Sorento EV, but the automaker has introduced an all-electric three-row to its lineup in the form of the futuristic EV9. The new model is about the same size as a Telluride and should be able to travel up to 300 miles on a single charge in the RWD Long Range configuration. Kia's 800-volt electrical system which enables fast charging at rates up to 350 kW also features on the EV9. Be sure to check out our First Drive review for our initial thoughts on the automaker's latest electric SUV.
Safety Features
Many driver assist and active safety features are included on the 2024 Sorento PHEV. Among these are front and rear automatic emergency braking, intersection collision mitigation, side and rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
As a midsize SUV with three rows of seats, the Sorento doesn't have many direct competitors; most SUVs are smaller two-rows or larger three-rows. Second-row captain's chairs mean the Sorento PHEV has a six-seat layout. Here's how its interior measurements compare to other electrified three-row crossovers.
Technology
Every Sorento PHEV comes equipped with a 12.3-inch digital gauge display and 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation are included. There's a wireless charging pad in the front row, and USB ports provided for passengers in every row. A Bose 12-speaker premium audio system is standard.
2024 Sorento PHEV Price
Kia builds the Sorento PHEV in only one trim level: SX Prestige, which is the highest trim level on the standard Sorento and Sorento Hybrid. Often abbreviated to SX-P, it includes niceties such as heated and ventilated front seats, heating for the steering wheel and second-row seats, an all-digital gauge display, camera-based blind-spot monitoring, power-folding side mirrors, and a panoramic sunroof. The 2024 Kia Sorento PHEV SX Prestige starts at slightly more than $51,000, or about $7,000 more than a similarly equipped Sorento Hybrid.
