Here’s How Our Kia Sorento PHEV Handles Tricky Situations
The SUV’s best and worst moments throughout the year.
Most of the time, our 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV blends into the background of our daily lives, quietly shuttling us to school, work, errands, and activities. That’s one of the highest compliments you can give a family-friendly SUV. Other days, it has become part of the narrative, tackling challenges with unexpected ease, or, occasionally, falling short.
(Mostly) Fit for the Long Haul
Relocating to a new state was a laborious process involving multiple trips—each a five-and-a-half-hour drive—to scout out our new home. We don’t know how we would have survived without Kia’s Highway Driving Assist. This feature helps keep the SUV centered in its lane and maintains a preset distance from the vehicle ahead on the freeway, reducing driver fatigue on long journeys. However, we wish it would resume operation after long pauses in traffic like some newer vehicles, including a recent 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid test SUV. This capability would have been particularly useful during those signature California traffic jams.
If you’ve been following our journey so far with the Sorento, you’ll know overall range is less than expected, requiring us to stop for gas a little more often than we’d like on road trips. Another hiccup during our move was the mostly reliable but occasionally sluggish touchscreen. When navigating in unfamiliar territory, we prefer a faster, more responsive screen to quickly adjust route or find nearby amenities.
Battling the Elements
Whether battling extreme heat in Las Vegas or unexpected downpours in San Diego, the Sorento PHEV proved its mettle. Its capable air conditioning system and ventilated front seats kept us cool even in triple-digit temperatures, as did the second-row sunshades. During an unusually fierce California rainstorm this past winter that had drivers putting on their hazard lights, the Sorento PHEV felt stable and secure. Excellent headlights illuminate a clear path forward during daytime and nighttime driving. The expansive front windows enhance visibility, providing added confidence in challenging conditions.
Hills? What Hills?
This summer, our Sorento was loaded to the gills with people and gear on our summer excursions to the beach. Despite being packed with essentials like a beach wagon, umbrella, chairs, tent, towels, and personal bags, the Sorento PHEV handled steep hills like the one near our local beach without breaking a sweat. In fact, the SUV’s 261 hp has never felt insufficient.
