2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Review

2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

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The standard Kia Sorento is an enticing offering in a crowded segment, but the plug-in hybrid is somewhat less appealing. Its fuel efficiency and overall easy-to-drive nature are commendable, but its steep asking price makes us question its value proposition. If a PHEV SUV is at the top of your list, the Sorento is a fine option in that it doesn't disappoint. But there's no doubt that its gas-engine sibling is a bit more well-rounded and affordable package.

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2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Review

byChristian Wardlaw^{Correspondent
Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at Edmunds and was the first editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.}

Pros

Impressive number of standard and optional features
Lots of second-row legroom for the class
Easy-to-use infotainment system

Cons

Steep price tag
Ride can be a bit busy
Lackluster acceleration for a plug-in hybrid

What's new

All-new plug-in hybrid model of the Sorento
EPA-estimated 32 miles of electric range
EPA-estimated 34 mpg combined when driven as a hybrid
Part of the fourth Sorento generation introduced for 2021

Overview

Kia redesigned its popular Sorento SUV model last year, introducing it with a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an available turbocharged four-cylinder and turbocharged hybrid powertrains. Now, for the 2022 model year, the Sorento lineup adds a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) version rated by the EPA to deliver 32 miles of electric driving range and 34 mpg in combined driving when used as a gas-electric hybrid.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded and $0.16 per kWh for electricity in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$114/mo

$201/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

The new Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is based on the Sorento Hybrid. Kia swaps in a more powerful 66.9-kW electric motor and a bigger 13.8-kWh battery pack but keeps the turbocharged 1.6-liter gasoline-fired four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Kia also adds a standard torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The result is a bump to 261 horsepower, 34 more ponies than you get in the Sorento Hybrid. Torque remains the same at 258 lb-ft.

Despite its more powerful engine and larger battery pack, the upgraded PHEV powertrain has minimal impact on interior space. According to Kia's numbers, you'll lose just a bit of second-row legroom. Otherwise, this three-row SUV's passenger volume and cargo space match the Sorento Hybrid equipped with the panoramic sunroof (an option available on both trims of the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid).

Few plug-in hybrid SUVs are available from mainstream brands, so the new Kia Sorento PHEV faces only a handful of potential rivals. The Kia's kissing cousin, the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid, is similarly outfitted but seats no more than five people. The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is also a five-seater, but it is more expensive than the Kia. Otherwise, your options are smaller compact models like the Toyota RAV4 Prime or pricier luxury alternatives such as the Volvo XC60 Recharge. Check out our test team's scoring and Expert Rating of the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid below to help you decide.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds 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

edmunds 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. We found that to be just barely on the right side of enough, and a 7.9-second 0-60 mph run confirms it. Lack of outright speed aside, the powertrain is smooth, 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 mph was 123 feet, which is very good for a PHEV of this size.

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.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? Despite its small SUV classification, the Sorento offers ample space for adults in all three rows. You'll even find more legroom in the second row than in dedicated two-row SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Taller adults will have plenty of space. Even the third row is hospitable for adults, though it's a bit of a squeeze to get back there. Getting into the Sorento is otherwise an easy affair.

The Sorento carries over many of Kia's user-friendly attributes, and buyers new to the brand will have no problem getting a handle on the interior. Visibility is also quite good thanks to ample-size windows and good sight lines throughout the cabin. The optional surround-view camera system offers high-definition images and proves helpful in tight situations.

Technology

8.5/10

How’s the tech? Our top-of-the-line test vehicle came decked out with a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an upgraded Bose audio system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The graphics are crisp and creative, but we found some on-screen buttons a bit on the small side. The Bose audio system was slightly less impressive, and we never really found a sweet spot over a wide range of music. The voice command system is the least impressive tech in the Sorento. It lacks natural language recognition and is merely average.

With eight USB ports as well as a wireless charger, passengers won't lack power for their devices. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility is standard, though wireless connectivity is not offered. The Sorento's advanced driver aids are impressive not only in scope but in application. We encountered no false alarms, and with the exception of an overly cautious rear cross-traffic warning system, we had no complaints.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? With the third-row seats up, there's only 12.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which equates to a row of about five grocery bags. Its closest competitor, the Volkswagen Tiguan, offers only 12 cubes, and the larger Subaru Ascent offers up to 17.8 cubes. With the third row dropped, the Sorento offers between 38.5 and 45 cubic feet, depending on how far forward you slide the second-row seats. That's more than the roomy Toyota RAV4 (up to 37.6 cubic feet) and the larger Honda Passport (41.2 cubes). With all the seats down, the Sorento holds 75.5 cubic feet, which is on par with the Honda CR-V.

Interior storage is another Sorento strong suit. Though it lacks the cleverness of Honda's CR-V and Passport, there's ample, well-thought-out storage options in all three rows. Towing capacity for the Sorento PHEV is just 1,654 pounds, while the standard Sorento can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA says the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid should get 32 miles of EV-only range and deliver 34 mpg combined with the gas engine alone. On our 115-mile testing route, we let the car shift itself between EV-only and hybrid operation, likely how most buyers will use the Sorento PHEV, and it averaged 41 miles to the gallon. That's similar to what we observed in the RAV4 Prime and far exceeds our results in the Wrangler 4xe on the same route.

Value

8.0/10

Is the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid a good value? As we've come to expect from Kia, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is well equipped and well built; it's also the most expensive Sorento you can buy. All Sorento Plug-In Hybrids come essentially fully loaded so you certainly do get your money's worth when it comes to features. That said, the amount of hard plastic used throughout its interior is hard to ignore, and the dash treatment doesn't look or feel like it belongs in a car that costs nearly $50,000. It's all screwed together well, and thoughtful details and nice touches like variable ambient lighting keep the Sorento in our good graces.

Kia's warranties are class-leading, and the Sorento comes with five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. Roadside assistance is more standard at five years/60,000 miles.

Wildcard

7.0/10

While not exactly a hoot and a holler, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid manages to be an interesting and efficient addition to the Sorento lineup. Its straight-line speed might be lacking, but what it doesn't carry in outright pace, it more than makes up for usability and an excellent feature set. It's also a far more handsome SUV than the previous Sorento. As for the rest of the Sorento experience, if you can imagine a baby version of the popular Telluride, you're not very far off.

Which Sorento Plug-In Hybrid does Edmunds recommend?

The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid in the SX trim level gives you everything you need while saving you thousands of dollars. The only reason to choose the more expensive SX Prestige is for its added comfort, tech and premium sound system.

2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid models

The 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is available in SX and SX Prestige trim levels. Each one has a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, a 66.9-kW electric motor, and a 13.8-kWh battery pack. Together, these components produce 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission powers a standard torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system with a locking center differential. Standard equipment highlights are as follows:

SX
The base version includes:

19-inch alloy wheels
LED headlights, foglights and taillights
Heated, power-adjustable exterior mirrors
Roof rails
Remote keyless entry
Remote engine start
LED interior lighting
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Artificial leather upholstery
10-way power-adjustable driver's seat
Eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
Heated front seats
Second-row captain's chairs
50/50-split folding third-row seat

Standard infotainment features include:

10.25-inch touchscreen display
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Satellite radio
Navigation system
Connected services access
Voice recognition system
Wireless smartphone charger
Six stereo speakers

Safety features for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid include:

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Kia and the car in front)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)
Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

SX Prestige
Upgrade to this trim level for:

12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Leather upholstery
14-way power-adjustable driver's seat
10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
Ventilated front seats
Heated rear seats
12-speaker Bose premium sound system
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Sorento and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

5 (65%)

4 (5%)

3 (0%)

2 (15%)

1 (15%)

3.9

20 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Blue Magic

Blue Magic, 01/04/2022

2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A)

I've only had it 10 days and I'm lovin" it! I went 36 miles in EV mode! it has more than enough power. A lot of bells and whistles like the panoramic roof, heated and cooling seats, etc. I got the Gravity Blue (Dark blue with flakes in the paint) which comes with a gray leather interior, I managed a nice 43mpg on the highway and was amazed as it stayed centered in the lane, even as the …

Outstanding new PHEV

Kia_is_fantastic, 11/28/2021

2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A)

Although it isn’t perfect, this is possibly the most versatile PHEV at any price range - lots of room, a third row of seats, decent cargo room with third row seats down, good power, great ride and handling, and very useful tech. Some drawbacks are too much piano black plastic in high traffic areas, very little cargo space behind third row, compromised towing capacity, and heavy …

Beware / Faulty Hybrid Battery System

Brian, 12/09/2021

2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A)

I just purchased this car and within a week received multiple error messages -- "Battery Management System" and "Hybrid System" notifications. I took it to the local dealer who said it looks like the hybrid battery requires replacement (one cell showing no power) however nothing can be done in terms of servicing until the dealer hears more from Kia corporate. Since this is the first year …

Kia Sorento PHEV - uses gas and electricity

Norris Adams, 08/02/2022

2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A)

This is the best of the fossil fuel and electric worlds. It uses regular gas, regenerates batteries while driving, and plugs in to household current. I am quite pleased with this vehicle. It is easy to drive and incorporates many safety features. I am a “full sized” male and I can sit in it comfortably. It also has a great deal of space for hauling whatever you want. It is a good looking …

See all 20 reviews of the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

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2022 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$45,190
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,000 Based on income
Engine Type	Plug-in hybrid
EPA Electric Range	32 miles
Combined MPGe (Electric + Gas)	79 MPGe^{MPGe is the official metric that the EPA uses to measure the efficiency of alternative-fuel (including electric) vehicles. Just like regular MPG shows how far a car will travel on one gallon of gas, MPGe shows how far a vehicle will drive on 33.7kWh of electricity - the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. Combined MPGe is the combined total of 45% city MPGe + 55% highway MPGe.}
Cost to Drive	$114/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	3.4 hours
Seating	6 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid models:

Junction Turning Detection: Detects oncoming traffic, warns a driver who is attempting an unsafe left turn across traffic, and applies the brakes to avoid a collision.
Highway Driving Assist: Combines the adaptive cruise control and lane keeping systems for hands-on, semi-automated driving on highways.
Blind-Spot View Monitor: Uses cameras to show the driver what's in the Sorento's blind spots. Supplements the radar-based blind-spot warning system.

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2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Review

2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Sorento Plug-In Hybrid does Edmunds recommend?

2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid models

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Blue Magic

Outstanding new PHEV

Beware / Faulty Hybrid Battery System

Kia Sorento PHEV - uses gas and electricity

2022 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Highlights

Safety

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