Used 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid since its last redesign.
Still love the car after 18 months
CA Kia Owner, 02/21/2023
2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
We've had the 2022 SX model for 18 months and we love it. The gas mileage is great and it handles fantastic in the snow when we've taken it to the mountains. The inside has lots of seating room and is very comfortable. The safety features are above and beyond other car brands (even more luxury brands).
Impressive Economical Agile Versatile SUV
paulaker, 02/27/2024
updated 08/29/2024
2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I am so impressed by our 2023 Sorento EX PHEV. As has been common experience, we waited 15 months for it (2022-3), but it has been worth it. The PHEV feature has been outstanding for us. This review was written at about 3,000 miles, we have now been 19,000 (Aug 2024) miles, but virtually all comments stand. We get about 70 km (43.5 miles) EV range in town, 60 km on moderate speed roads, and about 50 km at fast highway speeds (110 km/hr). The 70 km range in town essentially enables all our mostly town and local driving to be electric. Recharging from about 15% to 85% takes about 2hr 45 mins, with our level 2 charger limited to 16 amps, so as not to overload our house 100 amp hydro service, and also enables use of a long (65 ft) charging cable without much voltage loss. We find this charging time conveniently quick in practice. When away from home, we switched to charging from low 14% to high 99%, for better charging economics, and range. We have done 29,000 km from new, and our average gas consumption (total fuel divided by total mileage) has been 3.9 liters per 100 km (60 mi/usg). On longer fast hwy trips, Sorento operates mostly in hybrid mode, when I seem to get about 7.0L/100 km (33.6 m/usg). The electric traction motor operates through the transmission, which means tremendous initial torque and flexibility - I really like this. We find no difficulty in pulling a heavy trailer in purely electric mode, although hybrid mode is always ready on standby, for long hills or for longer distances. I really like the responsiveness and good feel of the Sorento's electric driving, which was an unexpected surprise. Turning to other vehicle characteristics, we love the road handling. Sorento feels very direct and responsive, with excellent steering feel and accuracy of trajectory, and it drives like a much smaller car, whilst retaining the good ride of a midsize. Space inside is very good, as expected, and back seat leg room generous. The controls and settings, although very numerous as with all modern vehicles, are probably about as conveniently accessible as is possible. Their design layout has been carefully thought out. The standard stereo system is really excellent - and I used to be a HiFi nut! I mostly listen to classical music on Sirius. Safety features abound. The ones I most appreciate are 1. Blind spot monitoring, 2. Warning of crossing vehicle or pedestrian at rear - great for backing blind out of parking spots. 3. Rear view camera. Exterior paint is a dark mineral blue (like it) with a black interior. I had no choice on the black interior - it looks smart, but it shows every scuff mark, and heats excessively in the sun. The exterior styling I find attractive and distinctive. We travel long distances in winter, when an all electric vehicle would involve too much uncertainty and delays. However, in hybrid mode we have the benefit of more available gas energy delivered efficiently in hybrid mode. But, for most of the year, we can fully exploit the great benefits of the electric PHEV system. So what are the Cons? 1. Black interior with no other option (when I ordered) 2. Two individual back seats - I would have liked a bench seat option. 3. The driver’s seat could do with another couple of inches of rear travel 4. In Drive "D" the selected gear is not displayed on dash, except too briefly. This is particularly irritating during engine break in. 5. No tachometer – Optional display of the engine rpm could so easily have been included at zero cost to Kia – I miss it. 6. I find the foot throttle too light, which is more tiring to the top of the foot than necessary. Cruise control helps to provide relief to the right foot on long journeys. 7. When switching from Reverse to Forward, it is essential to brake firmly, then check on dash that right drive direction has been selected. If too light on the brake, transmission does not shift, which can be bad - I got caught out a few times! 8. Ride is compliant, but road noise isolation is worse than average. So, a few cons - inevitably, but none of them close to a deal breaker. CONCLUSION: this is an excellently designed and built vehicle (zero faults in first 12 months), which comes close to the ideal, midsize, environmentally friendly SUV - very impressive in my opinion.
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2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid for sale near you
3 of 66 listings
- SX Prestige 4dr SUVMSRP: $42,49032 mi away
- SX Prestige 4dr SUVMSRP: $44,995101 mi away
- SX Prestige 4dr SUVMSRP: $38,826115 mi away
See all 66 listings
40,000 mile review
Jeff, 01/23/2025
2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Owned since December 2021. Overall a very good vehicle. The car gets 31 miles on battery and averages 62 mph over the 40,000 miles. Used 640 gallons of gas over 40,000 miles. This includes several long distance drives. Average comfort in the front seats, a little on the firm side (compared to the Volvo). 360 degree cameras are a plus. AC is above average unless stopped or driving in slow traffic. Works better at 30 mph or faster. Put on Michelin Cross Climate 3 peak all season tires and handles very well in the snow. PRO: 1) Seamless transition between EV and ICE. 2) Excellent acceleration for passing on the freeway. Quickly goes from 65 to 90. 3) Better than average drive assist system. 4) Excellent mileage if mostly driving in town. CON: 1) No standard garage door remote on the rear view mirror on top trim. Every other car I’ve had in the last 15 years had one. (Ford, Subaru, Volvo). 2) Navigation is subpar especially compared to Apple CarPlay. 3) No 3rd party oil change places carry engine and cabin filters. 4) Local dealer service department is unimpressive. 5) Slower charging with Level 2 charger than other Kia models of the same year. 6) Really annoying auto shifting the vent system from cabin recycle to outside. 20 degree weather and it arbitrarily shifts to outside and a blast of cold air comes into the car. Have to manually reset to cabin as often as every 5-10 minutes.
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Dangerous PHEV failures
Dave, 12/13/2023
2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
My 2022 Sorento PHEV has now failed 4 times. The failure is that the engine doesn't start while driving when the EV battery charge becomes too low to run the vehicle. Each time it happened was very dangerous. Once was in 4 lanes of dense NYC traffic, another was in a remote rural area and the other two times were at highway speeds on 3 and 4 lane NYC highways. My dealer found no fault codes, said they've never heard of this problem before and told me there is nothing they can do. The KIA warranty is a big reason why I purchased this Sorento but that warranty hasn't been worth a plug nickle thus far. I heavily advise against buying this very expensive, dangerous and unreliable vehicle.
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Love my new PHEV!
Lisa, 06/01/2022
2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 6A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
All expectations satisfied. Quiet, smooth handling, comfortable interior, excellent gas mileage.
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