KiaSorento Plug-In Hybrid

　　

2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　The 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is a bit of a unicorn. It's a three-row rechargeable hybrid SUV that costs around $50,000, quite a bit less than alternatives like the BMW X5, Volvo XC90 or Lincoln Aviator. And as the "budget" option in this small group, the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid offers a lot for the money. Based on the standard Sorento Hybrid, the plug-in model gets a more powerful electric motor and larger battery pack to augment its turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The combination yields 261 horsepower, 34 hp more than the Sorento Hybrid, and enough energy for 32 miles of electric driving range. This Kia is also pretty efficient, with an EPA-estimated 34 mpg combined when driven in regular gas-electric hybrid mode.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid PHEV Insights

Trim:Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige

　　SX Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A) (Most Popular) - $49,990 MSRP

　　

All Electric Range

　　32 miles

　　EPA Estimated Electric Range

　　The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid will automatically switch to gas when the electric battery is low.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　10 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　

Charging at Home

　　3.4 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　See All PHEV incentives

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$109/mo

　　Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　SUV Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　See All PHEV Insights

　　Pared down to a single trim level for 2023, the Sorento PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) offers plenty of comfort and tech features to complement its efficiency and performance. Highlights include heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, leather upholstery, navigation, a premium Bose audio system and several driver assistance features.

　　But even though it's the most affordable option in this class, we still question the value. The same money buys the larger, nicely equipped but non-hybrid Kia Telluride, or the smaller two-row but more efficient Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid. The Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid is another more affordable option, but it too only carries five passengers. Still, if a three-row plug-in SUV appeals, but not the luxury price, the Kia is a good middle ground. Be sure to read our Expert Rating below to learn what our test team thought of the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid drive? The Sorento Plug-in Hybrid pairs a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor that pulls from a 13.8-kWh battery pack. In total, the system makes 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Posting a time of 7.9 seconds in our 0-60 mph test, the Sorento doesn't feel slow, per se, but it does trail the rapid RAV4 Prime and Jeep Wrangler 4xe for speed. Lack of pace aside, the powertrain is smoother than its rivals, with no abrupt shifts from the transmission and no juddering when the Sorento's engine springs to life.

　　When it comes to slowing down, the Sorento is both steady and reliable. It also blends the PHEV's regenerative braking and friction braking flawlessly, and the pedal gives no hints of the changeover between the two. Our best panic stop from 60 to 0 mph was 123 feet, which is very good for a PHEV of this size, besting the RAV4 Prime and Wrangler 4xe with ease. Handling, too, is similarly impressive for a PHEV SUV and the Sorento can be driven with ease around town or down a back road.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid? All three rows of seats provide better-than-expected comfort for a small SUV. The front seats on our top-of-the-line test vehicle offered heating, ventilation and a good range of adjustment. The second-row captain's chairs (standard on the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid) were firm but more comfortable and supportive than bench seats found in other SUVs. The third-row seats are small and low to the floor but offer enough support for adults. The dual-zone climate control is efficient and easy to use even if the touch-sensitive buttons aren't as responsive as traditional buttons.

　　Ride comfort isn't quite as impressive, and a steady stream of jitters head into the cabin at lower speeds over less-than-perfect roads. Even with the 19-inch wheels, which have a generous amount of shock-absorbing sidewall, the ride managed to feel busier than we expected. That said, the Sorento's ride is well controlled, imparting confidence and a sense of stability at freeway speeds.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below