2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Overview

In the growing sub-segment of hybrid SUVs, the 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid has staked out a position as a handsome and practical choice at a reasonable price. The Sorento offers two hybrid powertrain options: a standard model with a 226-hp conventional hybrid set up and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with 261 horses and a battery large enough for 32 miles of electric-only driving. There are three rows of seats inside, although kids will be the only ones happy in the wayback; adults should find plenty of spread-out space for long drives in the first and second rows, however. A host of tech features peppers the interior but, oddly enough, upgrading to the larger infotainment touchscreen eliminates the Sorento's otherwise standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Even so, the Sorento Hybrid offers plenty of value and practicality, making it a great choice for family buyers. If a hybrid powertrain isn't of particular interest, consider the standard Sorento instead or, better yet, the excellent and slightly larger Kia Telluride.

What's New for 2023?

The base S trim has been dropped, and the standard hybrid powertrain is now available in the loaded SX Prestige trim for 2023, which unlocks all of the Sorento Hybrid's best features without needing to spring for the costly plug-in powertrain. The Hybrid EX gets a little love too, with an eight-way power front-passenger seat and a frameless rearview mirror. For 2023, the Sorento PHEV comes strictly in SX Prestige trim. The PHEV SX Prestige has all the fixings, including retractable rear-door sunshades, a 115-volt inverter, and an estimated 32 miles of electric driving range.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

We like the EX. Although it's the base model it comes standard with leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, remote start, and snazzy exterior items such as 17-inch wheels and black exterior accents.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Sorento Hybrid is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor that combine for 227 horsepower. Front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission is standard; all-wheel drive is available as an option. The plug-in hybrid powertrain consists of the same basic setup, but a more powerful electric motor brings combined horsepower up to 261 ponies; all-wheel drive is standard on the plug-in. The Sorento Hybrid's road manners are composed, if a little bland, but compared to the base nonhybrid model its acceleration is noticeably perkier. Get on the throttle heavily in front-drive models, though, and you'll feel a little torque-steer tug through the steering wheel as the front tires struggle to maintain grip.

0–60-MPH Times

At our test track, the Sorento Hybrid managed a 7.2-second run to 60 mph. Not bad for a three-row family SUV, but acceleration bragging rights belong to speedier rivals such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. Despite its extra power, the plug-in hybrid was slightly slower in our testing, hitting 60 mph in 7.6 seconds.

Towing and Payload Capacity

While the nonhybrid Sorento can tow up to 3500 pounds, the hybrid variant offers only a 2000-pound capacity. That spec also lags behind the Jeep, which is rated to up to 6000 pounds.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The plug-in hybrid model carries an 11.8-kWh battery pack which is rated to deliver 32 miles of electric-only driving per charge. The additional mass associated with the battery and ancillary PHEV components is likely the cause of the PHEV model's pokier acceleration time.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The hybrid Sorento is the most fuel-efficient version in the Sorento lineup, with EPA estimates of 39 mpg city and 35 highway. The plug-in hybrid has a combined rating of 79 MPGe, but its city and highway estimates are listed at 35 and 33 mpg, respectively. The PHEV is also rated to travel up to 32 miles on electricity alone on a single charge. On our 200-mile, 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, we recorded 31 mpg in a Sorento Hybrid EX and 25 mpg in the SX Prestige PHEV. For more information about the Sorento Hybrid's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the Sorento Hybrid sports an attractive and contemporary interior design which includes rhombus-shaped air vents, integrated ambient lighting, and intricately stitched surfaces on the door panels and seat inserts. The center console hosts a rotary shift knob as well as a drive-mode selector and other vehicle functions. A variety of cubby storage spots and cupholders fill out the console. Second-row captain's chairs and a two-place third-row bench are both standard. Adults will have no trouble finding a comfortable position in the front and second-row seats, but the third row is snug for riders larger than a teen.

Infotainment and Connectivity

With infotainment and connectivity features at the forefront of new-car technology, the Sorento supports all of the most desirable content. The hybrid model comes standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a six-speaker stereo, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Upgrade to the SX Prestige trim and you'll get a larger 10.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, but this screen isn't compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and requires a wired connection. The SX Prestige also adds a 12.3-inch digital gauge display and a 12-speaker Bose stereo

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Basics such as blind-spot monitoring and automated emergency braking are standard on the Sorento Hybrid, but if you want adaptive cruise control, you'll have to go with one of the more expensive trims. For more information about the Sorento Hybrid's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Kia has one of the most impressive warranty plans in the industry. However, it doesn't offer the complimentary maintenance that its corporate counterpart, Hyundai, does.

• Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
• Hybrid components are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

More Features and Specs