Used 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid Consumer Reviews
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Almost perfect
Jay Bee, 06/22/2022
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
34 of 35 people found this review helpful
We purchased this vehicle just over a year ago, with the intent to enable long road trips with decent gas mileage. In the year we have owned our Sorento, it has delivered beyond expectations with regard to the driving experience. The seats are comfortable, the ergonomics conducive to long trips, and the technology is very useful. The adaptive cruise control is great at cutting fatigue, and the lane keep assist, lane follow assist and forward and reverse alerts work very well. We average 38 - 40 mpg, driving in hilly terrain in Southern California. Our ONLY complaint is (for us) a big one and may lead us to trade in the vehicle for another brand. Specifically, we repeatedly get a warning light reading "Refill Inverter Coolant" which is an alarming thing to see, and the placement of the light precludes use of most of the dash computer functionality. We have been to two separate dealers and they have both been unable to determine the cause of the light, nor have they been able to stop it from recurring. Both dealers indicated this "false warning light" is pretty common across Kia's hybrid lineup, but they had no idea how to rectify it. Several posts in owner forums indicate an over the air "fix" is scheduled, but is yet to happen (and the dealers are unaware of this "fix"). The latest incident was while traveling several hundred miles from home, through the Arizona desert. Pulling into the dealer with fingers crossed (hoping to NOT overheat something) we were again told the vehicle was fine and we could drive it the rest of the way home. If not for this alarming, recurring error message, I'd give this car a 5 star review. As it is, with today's hot used car market, we may well trade it in for a comparable Toyota product, a brand we have had great experience with over the years.
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So far so good
Mark, 03/25/2021
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
31 of 33 people found this review helpful
Bought the Sorento after researching mid size SUV'S. Can't beat the price for the Kia warranty and the amenities that come with it. We got the hybrid and are more than happy with the mileage. My kids love the panoramic sunroof! With the 3rd row seats down (which they will be 99% of the time) there is plenty of cargo room and the rear seats have enough leg and head room for somebody over 6' tall. My only complaints at this time would be that the infotainment system has not been easy to connect my android phone to. Seems like I'm jumping thru a lot of hoops to get connected and navigate all of the screens. My other complaint would be the backup beeping. You cannot turn it down or off!! I understand the reasoning behind it, but think that it's unnecessary. My Dodge Durango is very quiet when it's running and doesn't need a backing beep so I don't buy the idea that an EV needs to make noise to warn people it's moving. And if it is necessary, why is the speaker in the grill, facing forward, and not in the rear bumper? We have only had it for two months now but so far, so good.
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감사합니다, 02/18/2021
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
26 of 30 people found this review helpful
Roomy, tech-loaded, efficient, and safe. My first hybrid, but third Kia product. After having some (relatively) trouble-free products, I decided to try another one from Kia. So far, so good. I had to get used to a car that does not make any sound or vibrant but it has been good. For it's size, I get good fuel economy. The best (and sometimes worst) features are the car nannies. Even though I cut them off most of the time, when I use them, they work spectacularly well together. Think of it like Tesla Autopilot-lite. Adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, active steering assist, and frontal collision mitigation pretty much drive for you!!
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Large luxury with 40mpg
Jeffrey Swayngim, 03/21/2021
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
21 of 24 people found this review helpful
This big SUV has everything a vehicle can (except ventilated seats). The seats are incredibly comfortable, the performance matches that of a V6, the cargo capacity it astronomically large, the technology is top notch, the driving assistance does all but stop for gas, and most importantly, the gas mileage is unbelievable. I’m getting 40mpg in the city with a large luxury SUV. I love the panoramic roof, and parking is a breeze with the back up camera and front and rear parking sensors. This car has every feature you can search for in a car that doesn’t cost $75k or more, is absolutely gorgeous, and it does all this with the best auto warranty in the industry.
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In love!!
Claudia Martinez , 06/18/2021
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
The first time with Kia and Hybrid, the best is the savings on fuel and not noise. Only complain the computer breaks after 1 week, due to some system wiring thing, this means my blind side is not working and the part still hasn't arrived yet. Other than that is a good car and the perfect size. For Kia is been a great improvement.
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Young66
Young66, 08/29/2022
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid S 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
"Refill Inverter Coolant" and no one seems to know what to do to fix it. Have talked to a couple dealers about this and they say its ok to drive. It is annoying and I (or anyone that owns one) should have to see on their display when driving. Not so sure I will keep it long or recommend one to anyone who might ask me.
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sweet ride
JMG, 01/03/2023
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid S 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Love this car! I had some issues with the computer system thinking my inverter coolant was low (it wasn't) but a software update fixed it. Other than that the car has been a joy to drive.
Great bang for your buck
A. Trotochaud, 07/28/2021
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid S 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
11 of 14 people found this review helpful
First and foremost this has been a great vehicle and even though I am writing this after only driving less than 2000 miles I thought I would give my first impressions. The handling and acceleration are impressive for a vehicle of this size when in "sport" mode and the mileage is "wowing" those that I talk with averaging around 40 mpg. There are so many convenience and safety features that come with the "S" trim that I purchased such as heated front seats and remote start. I know what you are thinking, "What's missing?" My wife will tell you that she wishes the front seats were a little more "plush" and that the passenger seat had more adjustments but I did reminder her that to get that you would be looking at much more expensive brands/models of vehicles. This is replacing my 2008 Kia Sedona and one thing I noticed is that the amount of storage room is less but the hybrid drivetrain has more than doubled my fuel economy yet I still have seating for six so it is something that I will learn to live with. The only feature that I wish it had was active cruise control but I realize I could have moved up the trim-line for that feature and did not feel the cost was worth it. Overall I am very happy with the vehicle. I plan on driving it for many years to come and if gas prices continue to rise I feel that the Hybrid will continue to pay off in the long run.
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Too many unfixed issues
Russ, 07/25/2022
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
As mentioned in another review, there is the constant "refill inverter fluid" issue. Also having "Check hybrid system. Stop Car", and being told nothing it wrong with the car. It seems heat, like here in Florida, tends to be an issue. Have also read cold causes issues. So if you live somewhere temperate year round then you should be fine. Also annoying that the Android Auto has trouble connecting to phones when they're on the wireless cell phone charger. Works much better if the phone sits in the cupholder.
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Got a few screwy things about it
Gw2304, 07/30/2021
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
5 of 8 people found this review helpful
Have trouble putting this thing in gear. Have 3k miles on it, is hard to put in gear sometimes, it just won't click in with the dial and get in gear. Went to move it at our house this evening and the thing acted like it had brakes on it, it would not move forward or backward and the screen kept saying that I needed to fasten my seatbelt which I had done, said to make sure the back gate was closed which it was I double checked it I had to shut the thing off two or three times to get the park to release so I can move it. Absolute screwy piece of equipment. I would have to think long and hard before I ever bought another one of these.
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Step in the right direction, flatters to deceive
SN, Olympia WA, 04/28/2021
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
12 of 27 people found this review helpful
Researched the Sorento hybrid extensively, drove twice. Nice option but the third seat is poorly designed and a waste. Good only for small kids at best. Rear space is minimal. Showstopper for us also was that in both the S and EX trim, the passenger side seat only has manual controls! This makes NO sense. We are passing up on this vehicle. Sad because the promise was there but someone made poor decisions on design options.
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No complaints so far!
Jeff W., 02/14/2023
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Folks need to understand the regular Hybrid and the Plug in Hybrid are two different models- We have the regular EX Hybrid and it's been fantastic so far- 4K miles. The tech is great and all, but the ride is what sold us- we live way out a very poorly maintained road and this thing floats down the road in comparison to our other vehicles, handles like a sportscar, gets 34mpg and has more power than we can use- what's not to like.
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Does well
Steve G., 03/03/2023
updated 03/07/2024
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This hybrid does everything well- good mileage, good traction in the snow and ice- it is a front wheel drive. Has good room for luggage or, with the seats down, room for larger purchases. Have not had any issues with 23,000 miles. The only thing I have noticed was that with cold weather the mile drops some.
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97K miles & its broken
T.O, 04/05/2024
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased my car new April 2021 - all seemed great until March 2022- “Refill Inverter coolant” warning came up 24 hours before I was supposed to go on a 8 hour drive road trip- talk about inconvenient timing! I packed the miles on a little faster than the average Joe- so when I googled this issue, there was nothing to be found. I took it into the shop last minute & was told pretty much “we don’t know- but it doesn’t seem to be hurting anything” wellll…. Let’s just say after multiple attempts of trying to get it fixed they basically said it’s a “phantom light” but they couldn’t get it to go away. How about I go in Feb 2024 (pretty much 2 years of dealing with this light) I am told they have a service action finally available for the issue-SA515A this was performed 2/23/24. All seemed well once it was completed! I didn’t see the light for a full month- and then Easter morning 3/31/24 while 8 hours from home & an hour into my drive at 11:00 AM- (coming through Mount Vernon, IL on the way home to eastern TN) I stopped at a drive thru off the interstate- never turned my car off… but when I went to pull out to the road that would lead me back to the interstate I lost pretty much all power and the vehicle only shuddered any time I hit the gas going forwards or backwards. A big orange triangle with “HEV” written in it came up and stated “check hybrid system”, the check engine light, as well as the “refill inverter coolant” light came up as well. How about that!? Hadn't seen that inverter coolant light since they did SA515A & now it “mysteriously” reappears along with all the other lights & zero drive ability!? I think that SA515A triggered something! & The place I broke down at had a bad hornet problem & the vehicle wouldn’t produce cold AC- it just blew hot air- so as a single mom with a 12 yr old & our dog in the car we had to sit in a hot car with only random ability to roll down the windows depending on how many wasp were around. I was completely stranded for 5 hours as Uber & Lyft kept cancelling my requests for a ride to the nearest hotel (since it was Easter I couldn’t get a decent price on a tow & the nearest Kia dealership was 50 miles away) the cheapest tow I could find was $400- pretty sure due to the holiday. Anyway, I ended up having to call some sketchy taxi company & got a ride to a hotel- definitely not an expense I was ready for since we had just spent a week on spring break! Anyway, I was stranded all day Easter and that Monday & couldn’t get help until Tuesday. Kia roadside was zero help since I was over 60K miles & the “local” (50 mi) away stated on Monday morning that they had a small shop and probably couldn’t get it in until that Wed or Thurs- WELL I was supposed to go to work that Monday & my 12 yo was supposed to go back to school- there’s no way I could wait around! I ended up spending $400 in gas and $200 to rent a car dolly & my dad drove 3 hours and picked us up & put my car on the dolly for me. The vehicle had so little power it wouldn’t go up the ramp or down the ramp- it had to be pushed. When we were pushing it off the ramp at the dealership (in eastern TN) a loud noise came from under the hood & the service manager actually was there helping us push the car- he said “well that sounds like the transmission just blew”. I dropped the car off late on 4/2/24 & the dealership has still not diagnosed it as of 4/4 (after hours)- they plan to make time for it 4/5 even though I was told it would be checked out on 4/3- thankfully they gave me a loaner vehicle but to cover their butts they put $41/day “unless covered by warranty”. I hope to God it is warrantable! I am planning on dumping it ASAP. My 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid’s engine went out at 98K miles- was under warranty but I never trusted it again & dumped it shortly after the engine replacement. I’m over Kia’s hybrid models & don’t plan on ever owning another one. Buyers beware!
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Beware of KIA Service poor service on Hybrids
Doc, 04/07/2024
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We love our 2021 Sorento. The challenge is finding a Kia service department that has experience with hybrid problems. They just don't have the experience with the hybrid and hence when something difficult happens, they don't know what to do about it. Started with an EGR check engine light. Took 9 hours to replace it. Then the engine wouldn't work. They replaced the new EGR but that didn't fix anything. Now they "think" it might be the Catalytic system, but District doesn't want to pay for it. 40K on the vehicle. District and Corporate don't provide much help. They end up swapping parts. It's been three weeks and they still have no idea what they did to it.
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CLANKING START
Joez, 04/10/2022
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
When at a stop, when you accelerate, it is very uneven acceleration
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Can be great - mine is
Hawkeye249, 06/22/2024
updated 12/26/2024
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I think the Sorento hybrid is being misrepresented. Purchased my 2021 model on 12/31/2020. Over 46,000 miles I've gotten an actual 38.5 mpg during mostly highway driving. (Actual because I track miles and gallons in a spreadsheet. Onboard display shows 44 mpg) How did/do I do it? I broke it in as recommended, and it uses not one drop of oil between changes. Mine is driven gently, rarely exceeding 65 mph. Per the maintenance schedule, just had the brake fluid replaced. Tech was impressed that my brake pads are 9/32 inch thick. (New ones are 12/32) In summary, owners reporting problems are likely doing things that adversely affect reliability. E.G., not performing proper break-in, exceeding speed limits, twisting the shift control before "Ready to Drive" is displayed, etc. Edmunds prompted me to update my review, so here it is: 12/24/2024 - 50,370 miles and hoping to survive the Cape Canaveral trip to Tampa today. The Sorento hybrid is the best vehicle I've owned in my 75 years! Over 38 miles per gallon and I never need to find an outlet to plug into. I am in a Sorento hybrid facebook group and some are reporting loss of power problems. They are mostly people with PHEV's (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). While I cannot prove it, I believe they are having fuel go bad. Ethanol blended gasoline starts separating (ethanol vs gas) after 3 months. While using as much electricity for propulsion as possible their gas goes bad, affecting fuel injectors and their gas engines refusing to start when called upon. Also, the owner's manual calls for adding fuel injector cleaner periodically, and I do. Do they? I believe, as I've posted in the group a number of times, that there are far more cases of vehicle abuse than there are actual lemon vehicles. These reviews would be more beneficial if commenters were encouraged to provide whether they followed recommended break-in procedures and their driving styles. If anyone wants an economical vehicle that has more space than a sedan, AND is a gentle driver, the Sorento HEV/PHEV is a GREAT choice. However, if someone is looking to haul/tow like a pickup and drives like he/she is in NASCAR - they are likely to be disappointed.
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