Key Takeaways
- The Kia Sorento PHEV is a great choice for those who mainly drive short distances and can charge at home.
- With full electric assist, seating for seven and intuitive technology, the Sorento is perfect for families.
- The plug-in version offers plenty of space and modern features that enhance the driving experience.
The Korean carmaker is always looking to raise the bar and the latest Kia Sorento is a perfect example of that trend, alongside the equally impressive Kia EV9 and EV6. It’s a lofty all-wheel drive SUV with the added benefit of seven proper seats. In addition to the petrol hybrid and diesel versions, Kia offers a plug-in model that has a six-speed automatic transmission and can be very economical if you want to charge it at home.
The other Korean car, the latest Hyundai Sante Fe, looks and drives great, but I prefer the Sorento for its liveable personality and the allure of being plugged in. As someone who mostly charges at home and drives around town, the Sorento easily suits my needs, and it’s a bit more interesting and has more cargo space than something like the smaller Nissan X-Trail.
Recommendation
Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento PHEV is a good choice for drivers who can charge at home. Its all-electric range is fairly short at around 34 miles, but it’s perfect for short journeys. On the highway, the new Sorento is solid, safe and very comfortable, with a wealth of on-board technology that’s quick and easy to use. It also has the added benefit of seating seven, making it a great choice for families.
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Pricing, Specifications and Availability
I wasn’t at all fooled by the trim options available with the new Sorento. There are three clear tiers – 2, 3 and 4 – and a choice of powertrains: diesel, petrol hybrid or, in my case, plug-in hybrid. Prices in the UK start from £41,995 (around $55,000), and even the base-level car comes with great tech as standard. Of course, if you spend a bit more, you can get the really nice stuff from the higher trims.
Design and Build
Distinctive curves and angles
The 2025 Sorento follows a similar theme to Kia’s current model, which means there are lots of cool angles, especially around the front and rear end. From the front, it’s easy to see how this SUV is related to the bigger, beefier EV9. The angular headlights and bumper trim help the Sorento look distinctive, but not ostentatious.
The rear is just as good looking, with more angular taillights and a cool spoiler mounted above the rear window. At the side, the Sorento boasts a sleek look that’s further enhanced by darkened glass and trim embellishments. This is most noticeable around the rear pillars, but the lower parts of the doors are also beautifully complemented by chrome trim. The icing on the cake is the eye-catching alloys.
Along the flanks, the Sorento boasts a sleek look that’s further enhanced by darkened glass and trim details.
Because the Sorento is a heavy-luggage vehicle, I was a little worried that with seven seats in three rows the boot would be cramped. Thankfully, the seats can be easily reconfigured to turn the base 175 litres of space into something much more spacious – in fact, with both rows of seats folded down, that 809-litre figure drops to 1988 litres with the third row folded.
Refreshing interior
High quality look and feel
The main attraction of the new Kia Sorento is the interior space. There is a lot of room throughout the entire cabin. I really like the design of the seat covers. All the seats were comfortable, even when I sat in the third row to check out the back seat.
The car I test drove was tastefully finished, and despite being loaded with all the frills that come with higher-grade cars, the Sorento never felt flashy.
If you’ve got a family, the kids will love the elevated riding position, and there’s plenty of charging ports and storage space to keep the kids smiling.
Considering this is a family-oriented SUV, I was very impressed with the interior material choices. The car I test drove was tastefully finished, and despite being lavished with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a premium-grade car, the Sorento doesn’t feel ostentatious at all.
In fact, we think the choice of durable, easy-to-clean finishes makes it an even more attractive proposition for families.
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Technology Breakdown
Excellent technical level for all models
Another highlight, as is common with Korean cars these days, is the level of technology that’s on board the 2025 Sorento. The dashboard area is the main point of interest, with a landscape screen setup very similar to that seen in the EV9. I’ve driven a few Kia models recently and the features and functionality were pretty much the same. Generally, everything is easy to figure out, although if you’re not used to the array of controls, the learning curve might be a bit steep.
As is common with modern Korean cars, another highlight is the level of technology that’s included in the 2025 Sorento.
Primary controls like climate control remain physical, fingertip-touch buttons, especially for those likely to be working with kids. But you’ll have no trouble swiping quickly to scroll through Apple CarPlay settings or poring over the app icons lined up in the touchscreen’s central 12.3-inch area. It’s all very well done. Another great feature found in other Hyundai and Kia models is the excellent blind-spot camera view that appears in the instrument cluster when the turn signal is engaged.
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Battery, range and performance
Lots of plug-in features
The Kia Sorento is a fun car to drive. The plug-in model offers the benefits of smooth, quiet, fully electric assistance on every journey, and thanks to the seamless six-speed automatic transmission, it feels like an SUV with plenty of power. Of course, its size means more weight, but with a relatively small 13.8kWh battery pack, this PHEV offers up to 34 miles of electric range.
On U.S. highways, the Sorento should feel just right.
I know these aren’t huge figures, but I do a lot of short journeys, and that’s where the Plug-In Adventure is at its best. Aside from the benefits of improved fuel economy and reduced emissions, the Sorento is compliant enough on the road that the ride feels a little spongy at times. That said, in the UK, where potholes are everywhere, the car performs admirably.
On U.S. highways, the Sorento feels just right. It feels elevated like you’re in an SUV, and there’s plenty of ground clearance. When you take a curve or get into a tight spot in this heavy SUV, the Sorento quickly becomes aware of its size and weight. But otherwise, the Sorento is easy to drive.
Should I buy a Kia Sorento?
I was attracted to the plug-in version of the Kia Sorento. I think it has many benefits, from the vast amount of space inside to the comfort, plus the added benefit of running on electricity for short distances. The fit and finish of the Kia is as excellent as ever and it feels like a very modern car. I expect it to still look factory new in a few years’ time. A quality update.
Recommendation
