Test Kia Sorento PHEV 1.6 T-GDI 265 CV Pack Luxury AWD

Plug-in hybrid cars seem to be one of the best medium-term solutions for the automotive industry. Of course, they'll only be an attractive option if you have a garage space to plug it in and, above all, if you have the financial means. They aren't exactly cheap. In any case, today we're bringing you a test drive of a car that's definitely worth considering if you're looking for an Eco sticker, good performance, very high quality, plenty of space, and a reasonable price. Today we're testing the new Kia Sorento PHEV, or plug-in hybrid.

Kia launched the fourth-generation Sorento in Spain last fall, initially available in diesel and self-charging gasoline hybrid versions. Now, a plug-in hybrid version has arrived and is already available at dealerships. Its starting price is €45.500 with current promotions. Furthermore, it's worth noting that it's one of the few plug-in SUVs with seven seats —and what a seven seats they are!

Without a doubt, the South Korean firm is investing heavily in both SUVs and electrification. According to them, 70% of their sales in Spain last year were SUVs, while their electrified models currently account for 34%.

Regarding the new Kia Sorento, the company estimates that sales in Spain will be split around 37% for the PHEV version , approximately 50% for the conventional hybrid variants, and the remainder for the diesel engine. Time will tell if they are correct. And now, let's delve deeper into the model in question.

The Kia Sorento is an elegant car

Although the aesthetic differences compared to the other versions are minimal, it's worth taking a quick look at its exterior design . In my opinion, the Kia Sorento is a very attractive and elegant car that makes a good impression. It's well-executed and doesn't try to copy the typical European D-segment SUVs, instead sporting a somewhat American style, we could say. Kudos to the design team. By the way, it's available in 10 exterior colors.

It exudes elegance from every angle, even more so in this tested blue version with the Emotion trim and the added Luxury Pack , which is distinguished externally by its side steps. Roof rails are standard on all versions.

We can highlight the large front grille connected to the full LED headlights, the straight lines, and the lower protective elements. There are also wheel arches protected by plastic cladding and numerous chrome details , combined with gloss black on the B and C pillars. The wheels are always 19 inches on the plug-in hybrid versions, while they are 18 or 20 inches on the diesel and conventional hybrid variants. The charging port is located on the right rear fender.

I particularly like its rear end , as it exudes character and personality. A prominent spoiler at the top integrates and conceals the rear wiper. I also want you to notice the sharp lines of the tailgate and especially the vertically positioned LED taillights. Naturally, Kia has taken the opportunity to include an "Eco Plug-in" badge, showcasing its technology.

And a very high level of quality in the cabin

I also really liked the interior. It conveys a sense of quality and craftsmanship that rivals its German competitors , such as the BMW X3 , Audi Q5 , or Mercedes GLC . Honestly, if they had covered the logos, I wouldn't have guessed it was an Asian car.

Everything is well assembled, and the feel of each surface and control is hard to beat. My only criticism is that there's too much glossy black, even on the turn signal and windshield wiper controls . Most of the materials on the upper part of the cabin and the doors are soft-touch, with harder plastics used in the lower areas, but they are all well-assembled.

Behind the leather-wrapped, multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters sits a 12,3-inch digital instrument cluster . While not as customizable as in some other models, the information displayed can be easily adjusted, and its appearance changes depending on the selected driving mode. Furthermore, it looks good and is very easy to read.

One feature I really liked about this instrument cluster is that when you activate the turn signal, it projects the image captured by a camera located in the rearview mirror. This allows you to easily see if there's a vehicle in your blind spot, complementing the blind spot alert . A brilliant feature in my opinion.

A 10,25-inch touchscreen is located in the center of the dashboard . Its quality is very high, it looks excellent, and it's intuitive to use. It includes the navigation system, apps, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a rearview camera, and various information about the car and the hybrid powertrain.

Few hits can be put inside this Kia Sorento

Furthermore, the Kia Sorento separates the climate control from the screen, using physical buttons for the main functions, such as temperature adjustment and heated rear windows. For improved efficiency, there's a " driver only " button that only cools the driver's side. This is useful, although it could be automatic, since the car already knows which seats are occupied.

In the center console, you're greeted by ample storage space, a rotary dial for managing the transmission, and a smaller rotary control for selecting different driving modes, including Select Terrain, which adjusts the gear changes, torque distribution, and engine response based on the road surface. Further back, you'll find buttons for activating the exterior cameras, hill descent control, and the electric parking brake, among other features.

Driving a model equipped with the Luxury Pack includes power-adjustable front seats with memory function for the driver's side, both heated and ventilated, and upholstered in a very comfortable Napa leather. It also features aluminum pedals and a head-up display.

Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid: with seven real and useful seats

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As we mentioned at the beginning, this car stands out for its spaciousness. It's one of the few plug-in hybrids with seven seats , which is a major advantage. Needless to say, the two front seats are very spacious and comfortable for people of any size. But what do we find in the second and third rows of seats?

Access to the second row of seats is good, and once inside, there's more than enough legroom and headroom for two large adults, even with the panoramic sunroof. Best of all, the middle seat is perfectly usable if three average-sized adults are traveling there, something most cars on the market can't boast. Indeed, few SUVs can comfortably accommodate five occupants.

The question mark was the third row of seats , which, by the way, is standard on all Kia Sorento models. These two extra seats are usually only useful in a pinch. Logically, in this Kia SUV-D you won't be as comfortable as in the front seats, but surprisingly, access isn't overly complicated and, once inside, you don't feel as cramped as, for example, in an X-Trail or a Tarraco.

In addition to all of the above, Kia has included USB ports and air vents in each of the three rows . In conclusion, the two seats in the third row won't be comfortable for a long trip, but they'll be perfectly adequate for occasional journeys.

The loss of trunk is imperceptible: 604 liters of capacity

Having seen the interior, let's now look at the trunk. The tailgate can be adjusted to five different heights to avoid hitting the garage ceiling, for example. With all seats in use, the cargo volume is 175 liters. But under normal conditions, we'll travel with the third row folded down, providing 604 liters of space.

Note that the cargo capacity loss is only 4 liters compared to the conventional hybrid engine and 12 liters compared to the diesel engine. This is a very important detail, as PHEV models usually lose a significant amount of cargo space, and in this case, the difference is imperceptible. Once again, fantastic work by the South Korean brand on this new Kia Sorento.

Mechanical offer: diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid

As we have been repeating throughout the article, the fourth generation Kia Sorento is marketed in Spain with three different engines: a diesel, a conventional hybrid and this new plug-in hybrid version.

Focusing on the tested version, the Kia Sorento PHEV develops a combined maximum power of 265 hp, as well as a maximum torque of 350 Nm . It is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and always features AWD (all-wheel drive). It has a 1.6 T-GDI gasoline engine producing 180 hp and 265 Nm of torque, while the electric motor integrated into the transmission delivers 91 hp and 304 Nm of torque. The battery has a capacity of 13,8 kWh, and its official electric range is 57 kilometers.

Among other performance figures, we find a 0 to 100 km/h time of 8,7 seconds and a top speed of 193 km/h, which is quite good for a two-ton car. The combined WLTP fuel consumption is 1,6 l/100 km and 18,4 kWh/100 km, although, as you know, figures for plug-in hybrid models should be taken with a grain of salt.

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Engine types

At the wheel: Smooth and comfortable above all

During this presentation we have been able to complete around 130 kilometers in total with highway sections at 120 km/h, simple roads at 100 km/h and a good dose of curves on twisty roads, as well as some crossing.

In my opinion, every plug-in hybrid should have a mode that allows us to maintain the battery charge for later use. The Kia Sorento doesn't have this ; it has an automatic mode that manages which motor is running at any given time (both can also work simultaneously) and a second mode that propels the car using only the electric motor. Provided there's enough battery power, of course.

We set off from the starting point and within the first few meters we could already tell that the quality we saw in the static section also translates into a smooth ride. It's a comfortable car , with a suspension and soft seats that effectively filter out the bumps on the simple dirt track leading to the asphalt.

The ride quality is very good

Once on the road, this focus on comfort is evident in the smooth response of the engine and gearbox ; unless you accelerate hard, at which point the full power kicks in. Even then, it never feels abrupt, rough, or harsh. In fact, at times, especially under full acceleration, it might seem like the car isn't as fast as its stated power output would suggest.

It's important to remember that yes, it has 265 hp, but we're also talking about a two-ton car . That's a lot of weight to move. On the other hand, that impression is also due to the fantastic sound insulation; the interior is remarkably quiet, even at high speeds. Keep in mind that it has double-glazed windows and very high-quality materials.

The suspension is comfortable, though not excessively soft. It's not on par with an air suspension like the one in the Mercedes GLE, for example, but I can guarantee your back won't suffer at any point.

Designed to travel and, therefore, should we choose the PHEV or better the diesel?

As expected, it's not a car that feels comfortable when tackling tight corners at a brisk pace . The response improves in Sport mode, but the body leans and the hybrid engine doesn't launch you like an arrow from one corner to the next. Furthermore, the steering has good weight but isn't quick. In any case, that's perfectly normal; nobody buys a plug-in Sorento for this kind of thrill.

Logically, and although many families surely use it to take the children to school and run errands, it's not the most practical car for the city . It measures 4,8 meters long and 1,9 meters high, making it cumbersome for navigating city streets. It's also worth noting that it won't be easy to maneuver between parking garage columns; but that's the nature of cars this size, regardless of the make or model.

Consumption of the Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid

Finally, let's talk about fuel consumption . Before anything else, I'd like to remind you that this was just a test drive at a presentation, so the data isn't 100% reliable, but it's enough to give us a general idea. During the 133 kilometers covered, according to the trip computer, fuel consumption was 6,3 liters per 100 kilometers , with approximately 75% of the battery used. In case you're wondering, the driving style was varied, with some stretches at a brisk pace and others at a much more relaxed pace.

Conclusions

I have absolutely no doubt that the Kia Sorento is a top-of-the-line car, one of the best in the D-SUV segment . It exudes interior quality, technology, and boasts a truly comprehensive equipment package, as you can see below, even in the most affordable versions. In this case, it's also one of the few 7-seater plug-in hybrids.

Honestly, if there weren't so much brand snobbery , the Sorento would steal a lot of sales from models better positioned for everyday drivers. It's a shame that such well-made cars aren't among the options considered by many customers. Especially considering that, for the same price, you get comparable quality and much more equipment.

Regarding the different versions, I think the Kia Sorento PHEV should only be seriously considered if you can actually charge it every day. The price difference compared to the diesel is around €3.500, and although we haven't tested it on diesel yet, it's probably more efficient on highways, especially on relatively long journeys. Of course, like all Kia models, it comes with a 7-year warranty.

Equipment Kia Sorento PHEV

Drive

• Four-wheel drive with Terrain Mode Select
• Electric parking brake
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• temporary spare wheel
• 7 airbag
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Speed ​​sign recognition
• Roadside driving assistance
• Fatigue detector
• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition
• Intersection Collision Avoidance Assistant
• Full exterior LED lighting
• Roof bars
• Electrochromic interior mirror
• 12,3-inch digital instrument panel
• 10,25-inch UVo Connect Navigator
• Reversing camera
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Fabric upholstery
• 7 places
• Adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go function
• Smart key and push button start
• Lane Following Assist
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Dual zone automatic climate control
• USB charger in all rows

Emotion (add to Drive)

• Blind spot detection system
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• panoramic sunroof
• darkened moons
• Bose sound system
• 360 degree view camera
• Heated front and rear seats
• heated steering wheel
• Hands free tailgate
• wireless charger for mobile

Luxury Pack (adds to Emotion)

• Side footpegs
• Head-Up Display
• sports pedals
• Nappa upholstery
• Electric front seats with memory for the driver
• Ventilation in the front seats

Kia Sorento range prices

These are the prices of the Kia Sorento according to the configurator in all its trim and mechanical versions, subject to promotions and financing.

Gallery Kia Sorento

KIA Sorrento

• Plazas 7
• Power 194 - 252 hp
• Power: 194 - 252 hp
• Consumption: 1,6 - 6,7 kWh/100km