Kia now has four different powertrains for the Sorento, diesel, petrol, hybrid electric and plug in hybrid electric.

Now I have taken many a long trip over the years in the Kia Sorento, It’s an excellent long distance cruiser, but this was the first in a hybrid and I was curious to see how it went.

 TO LISTEN TO THE Sorento Hybrid RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

This particular vehicle was a front wheel drive version and as usual for KIA they packed a heap of luxury, comfort and safety features in there. I especially appreciated the heated electric seats with additional lumbar support as the trip was cold and wet and long.

Sorento Hybrid is powered by a 1.6l petrol engine that produces 132kW and 265Nm from 1600rpm. The electric motor adds another 44kW and interestingly 264Nm from 0-1500rpm. That’s instantaneous torque.

The beauty of hybrid engines is that there is no range anxiety, they drive like a normal petrol engine but with better economy. We ran at around 7.9l/100k over the trip which was ok. However long distance trips don’t showcase the hybrids qualities best.

Priced from $66,750 the Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line is good value as a family SUV

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Rob Fraser

Some Other Sorento Articles

• 1- Kia Sorento GT Line PHEV 2022 Motoring Minute Review
• 2 – Kia Sorento Sport Plus AWD SUV 2021 Review
• 3 – Kia Sorento PHEV AWD SUV 2021 Review
• 4 – All-new Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid – PHEV
• 5 – Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid added to model range
• 6 – Kia Sorento GT Line 3.5L Petrol SUV 2021 Review
• 7 – Kia Sorento GT-Line AWD 2021 Review
• 8 – Kia Sorento GT Line 2021 Radio Review
• 9 – Kia Sorento Radio Review

Also Look At

• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Peugeot 5008 GT
• Skoda Kodiaq
• Mazda CX-8
• Haval H6 Hybrid
• Toyota Kluger Hybrid

*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)

Motoring Minute is heard around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network. 

Our Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners and they are also syndicated through various news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive Radio Program, which is broadcast through the Community Radio Network across Australia.

Kia Sorento Hybrid (HEV) Model Details

Released in April 2022, the Hybrid (HEV) GT-Line FWD and AWD has joined the Sorento range locally. This addition sees Sorento as the only vehicle available in Australia to offer naturally aspirated petrol, diesel, PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) and HEV variants.

“Sorento already provided one of the most versatile, practical and spacious large SUVs on the market and now in an industry first, it also offers Australian buyers the most diverse powertrain lineup to choose from within a model range,” said Kia’s Chief Operating Officer, Damien Meredith.

“The addition of PHEV and HEV options to the popular Sorento range is another example of Kia’s progress in vehicle electrification. Along with the recently launched and award winning EV6, and the next-generation Niro range of electric vehicles arriving in the very near future, Kia Australia is offering a variety of choices in its contribution to a greener future.”

 Sorento Hybrid engine details

The Sorento Parallel Hybrid System is comprised of a Smartstream 1.6 litre turbo petrol engine offering optimal fuel efficiency with impressive power (132kW) and torque (265Nm). 

An electric motor producing 44kW and 264Nm of torque is mounted between the petrol engine and transmission.  This arrangement allows the full output of both the petrol engine and/or electric motor to be transferred in parallel through the transmission, with minimal energy loss.

Combined Petrol + Electric output is 169kW and 350Nm.

Combined Fuel Consumption is 5.3L/100km (FWD) and 5.8L/100km (AWD) respectively on the ADR 81/02 combined fuel cycle.Energy storage is managed by a high voltage 1kWh Lithium-Ion polymer battery located under the vehicle floor.

Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Sorento HEV FWD and AWD are available in GT-line specification only and offer a wide array of safety, comfort and convenience features, including an intelligently designed, customisable 12.3” Driver Digital Cluster providing the status of the hybrid charging system. Its high-resolution screen makes it easy to read with a wealth of information at a glance.

 Sorento Hybrid Features

Designed to improve visibility for blind spots, the Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM) uses the side cameras so that when you indicate left or right, the cluster will show the view of the road in your blind spot.

The 10.25” Audio Visual Navigation unit displays charging station locations and information.  The screen can be split in two for easy access to different apps, vehicle information and multimedia content, and allows the control of the 12-speaker BOSE^® premium surround system, which is compatible with wired Android Auto^TM and Apple CarPlay^TM.

 Kia Sorento Range Pricing

*MLP (RRP) Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)

**Due to the complexity of drive away pricing which varies state by state, particularly when it comes to electric vehicles, national drive away pricing is not available on Sorento HEV and PHEV variants. A drive away price estimation, calculated by state, is available on the Kia website.

The post Kia Sorento Hybrid GT-Line FWD 2022 Review appeared first on Eco Car Guide.

The Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) GT-Line is an ultra-low emissions version of the brand’s flagship global SUV. Designed and engineered to take on everything life throws at it, the all-new Sorento PHEV GT-Line combines supreme practicality with the lowest emissions in the Sorento range.

• Equivalent all-electric range of up to 68 kilometres 
• PHEV produces 36 g/km of CO₂ in normal use (WLTP weighted combined)
• Award-winning Sorento platform accommodates PHEV powertrain while providing generous space for seven occupants
• New ‘Terrain Mode’ enhances all-wheel-drive capability

The award-winning Sorento is the only vehicle in the mainstream Large SUV segment to offer petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid drivetrain options. The Sorento PHEV GT-Line is the first electrified model in the Sorento line-up with its powertrain combining a turbocharged engine with a high-capacity battery pack and high output electric motor. With a fully charged battery pack, the powertrain enables drivers to complete shorter drives on all-electric, zero-emissions power.

This innovative platform that underpins the fourth generation Sorento has been designed from the outset to accommodate electrified powertrains. The platform and large body ensure it retains the generous cabin and luggage space and five-and-seven-seat layouts that define other models in the line-up. 

“The Sorento PHEV promises to push boundaries as one of the most versatile, practical and spacious plug-in hybrid SUVs on the market, and with the Sorento being an award-winning package, I couldn’t think of a better time to introduce the PHEV into the line-up,” said Kia’s Chief Operating Officer, Damien Meredith.

“Along with Niro range, the Sorento PHEV is another stride in the right direction towards a greener future. With the introduction of Sorento HEV and the highly anticipated EV6 next year, Kia will be lifting the electric vehicle benchmark to an all-time high.”

The platform of the Sorento is based around a compact engine bay structure creating greater cabin space between the axles. Not only does this enable the PHEV’s swept-back design, but the structure and layout mean the Sorento is able to accommodate a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the first time. 

Sorento PHEV’s ‘Smartstream’ 1.6-litre turbocharged engine and transmission mounted electric motor offers optimal fuel efficiency with impressive power (195kW) and torque (350Nm) outputs. The electric motor producing 304Nm of torque is mounted between the petrol engine and transmission allowing the full output of both the petrol engine and/or electric motor to be transferred in parallel through the transmission with minimal energy loss. 

With the integrated Type 2 charging socket, you can use the standard 3-pin cable supplied with the PHEV – Type 2 to Type 2 cable or the charging point’s own cable. Whichever you choose, simply plug-in and the LED light located near the charging point will present the charging status and battery level making it ideal for knowing the status of the battery immediately. A bespoke charging cable for charging at home from a normal household socket will be provided as well as an in-cable control box to help moderate the amperage to ensure complete safety.

New for the fourth generation, and standard on the PHEV GT-Line variant, the latest Sorento models offer enhanced all-terrain capability thanks to a new Terrain Mode. Controlled using the Mode Select dial on the centre console, drivers can choose from ‘Mud’, ‘Snow’ and ‘Sand’ modes. The systems automatically optimises the drivetrain to best suit each scenario, adjusting engine torque output and distribution as well as stability control characteristics. Terrain Mode also adjusts shift timings for the six-speed automatic to suit different surfaces.

Energy storage is managed by a 14kWh Lithium-ion polymer battery pack located under the vehicle floor. The large battery capacity allows the PHEV to travel up to 68kms on electric power. Monitoring the various functions of the Sorento’s electric drive systems is made easy by the clear displays of the battery and charging status on the class-leading 10.25” navigation display and 12.3” driver digital cluster. 

The 10.25” navigation unit displays nearby charging station locations and information. The screen can be split in two for easy access to applications, vehicle information and multimedia content and allows you to control the 12-speaker BOSE® premium surround system which, like all Sorento variants, is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The 12.3” driver digital cluster is an intelligently designed, customisable supervision cluster providing the status of the hybrid charging system, including fuel and battery levels and use. Its high-resolution screen makes it easy to read a wealth of information at a glance.

Being the first electrified Sorento means that EV and HEV mode is interchangeable. In EV mode, ideal for urban driving – it uses only electric energy for zero-fuel, emissions-free driving. In HEV mode, it operates both energy sources, the engine and the electric motor simultaneously. 

For Kia’s General Manager of Product Planning, Roland Rivero, the fourth generation Sorento is a game-changer in the Australian market.

“The Sorento has been a great success in Australia providing five-star safety and exceptional convenience levels in its segment, and the PHEV will continue to take the story forward,” said Rivero.

“While the Sorento was initially launched in 2002 as a utilitarian body on frame all-terrain vehicle, it quickly evolved into a more luxurious monocoque package and now, in its fourth generation, Sorento has been transformed into something even more desirable.

“Supply limitations impacting the automotive industry as a whole, combined with Sorento’s global popularity, has steered us to offering the Sorento PHEV in only the top of the range GT-Line for now.”

The all-new Sorento PHEV GT-Line will be fitted with 19” alloy wheels and will be available in seven exterior colours. As a GT-Line AWD offering, Sorento PHEV will include a black interior trim coupled with Quilted Nappa leather-appointed seats.

Kia Sorento Pricing

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