The cost of the hybrid Kia Sorento? Starting prices for the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid range from $33,990 to $35,990. For the hybrid SUV category, that is about average. The two trims of the brand-new Sorento plug-in hybrid start at $44,990 and $47,890, respectively, making it substantially more expensive.
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Does the Sorento have a hybrid version?
The Sorento S Hybrid upgrades the Sorento LX’s standard features while delivering energetic turbocharged performance and a remarkable EPA-estimated 39/35/37 MPG (city/highway/combined).
How dependable are hybrid Kias?
If you don’t count the earlier generation vehicles that had engine problems, the Kia Optima Hybrid is a reasonably dependable car.
As long as their engines are changed within warranty, the majority of owners have little concerns about their first-generation Optima hybrids.
However, since Kia is essentially using the same engine in these warrantied vehicles, they will inevitably experience the same issues in the future.
Due to the adoption of the more modern “Nu” family of engines, the second generation Kia Optima Hybrid boasts significantly higher overall reliability.
Here is more evidence of the dependability of the Optima Hybrid:
- RepairPal nonetheless gave the Optima a 4/5 reliability rating despite its Theta II engine problems, placing it 8th out of 24 midsize automobiles in terms of dependability.
- Owners of latter model Kia Optima Hybrids have given their vehicles a very good dependability rating of 4/5 on Kelley Blue Book, which suggests that they are fairly happy with them.
- The 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid scored an 83/100 from JD Power for Quality and Reliability, which is on par with ratings for models from Honda and Toyota.
What distinguishes the plug-in hybrid Kia Sorento from the hybrid model?
The battery is also charged using the gas engine. A plug-in hybrid vehicle, on the other hand, has a larger battery that can be charged using either a 240-volt or a 120-volt household outlet. Until the usage of gasoline is required, this sort of vehicle operates only on electric power.
What will the price of the hybrid Kia Sorento be in 2021?
Pricing for a hybrid 2021 Kia Sorento It has a $33,590 Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). The destination fee of $1,175 raises the total to $34,765. The price of the 2021 Sorento HEV EX 1.6T Hybrid is $37,765.
Is buying a hybrid worth it?
Savings: You will frequently save on fuel prices because hybrid vehicles help you save on gas. There are still other potential savings though! You’ll ultimately save more money because to the tax breaks that many jurisdictions provide to people who drive electric or hybrid cars.
What is the fuel economy of the hybrid Kia Sorento?
The Sorento Hybrid has a sufficient 227 horsepower total system output thanks to its turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, 44-kilowatt electric motor, and 1.5-kilowatt-hour battery. The six-speed automatic transmission’s short shift times and substantial torque make for fuss-free power delivery at higher speeds.
As with many hybrids on the market, the hybrid occasionally emits strange, ethereal whirring noises, but Kia has done an excellent job of eliminating two other apparent hybrid quirks: regenerative braking and the change from electric to gasoline power.
Unlike some hybrids’ stiff, unresponsive pedals, the Sorento’s brakes feature a pretty natural pedal feel and linear operation. There is no EV mode to force electric-only operation, however the electric motor frequently engages to improve power and to operate the vehicle entirely on electric power. The only indication that there has been a flawless transition to electric-only power is a green EV indicator light.
Sorento Hybrid MPG
For a car of this size, the Sorento hybrid’s EPA fuel efficiency rating of 39/35/37 mpg city/highway/combined is impressive. They are marginally better than the Highlander Hybrid’s FWD 36/35/36 mpg EPA rating; for more information on these two vehicles, see this comparison of Highlander and Sorento Hybrid characteristics. With all-wheel drive, which the Sorento Hybrid lacks, the Highlander Hybrid is rated marginally worse than the Sorento Hybrid (35 mpg combined).
The Sorento’s predicted fuel economy proved to be a little challenging to accomplish in actual driving. On a 1,309-mile road trip, I slightly underperformed its overall rating by averaging 34.7 mpg. However, a couple elements were working against it. The trip included almost entirely of highway driving and the SUV was packed with five people and a week’s worth of belongings, which prevented the powertrain from recovering the lost braking energy required to recharge the battery and increase engine power. In fact, the SUV’s highway estimate was rather close to our average mileage of 34.7 mpg.
The hybrid Sorento gets far greater fuel efficiency than the standard Sorento, as you might imagine. The standard Sorento has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and an upgraded 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 281 horsepower; the old V-6 is no longer offered. The standard Sorento’s EPA-estimated fuel economy with the base engine and FWD is 24/29/26 mpg, while the top-tier front-drive turbo variant is rated at 22/29/25 mpg.
The fuel efficiency will soon get much greater. Later in 2021, a plug-in hybrid Sorento with 261 horsepower, AWD, and a potential 30 miles of all-electric range will be added to the lineup.
What You Give Up
We didn’t tow anything on our journey, but you’ll need to pack lightly if you do. The Sorento Hybrid’s maximum towing capacity is only 2,000 pounds, which is less than the gas model’s maximum rating of 3,500 pounds (with the optional engine). Additionally, it is less than the 3,500-pound rating for the Highlander Hybrid.
It took a few kilometers for the Sorento Hybrid to become used to my driving style. In comparison to the standard variant, it has a stiffer ride and transmits more road noise; this is likely in part due to the hybrid-specific tires. But in many other respects, the Sorento Hybrid builds on the standard Sorento’s strengths, particularly when it comes to cabin amenities and size, with a few exceptions.
According to Kia, the Sorento Hybrid has 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, which is fewer than the Highlander Hybrid’s 16 cubic feet of capacity. The Sorento variants are once more competitive and once more behind the Highlander marginally in terms of back headroom. The Sorento Hybrid has an inch less rear legroom than the gas model, but neither my backseat passengers nor I noticed it.
Space-wise, the hybrid model disappoints because it only comes with second-row captain’s chairs; it doesn’t come with a three-seat bench like the gas-only model does. The SUV’s adaptability is limited by this omission.
The hybrid’s availability in only the mid-level S and EX trims, which are immediately noticeable the moment you step inside the cabin, is another limitation. The top SX-Prestige trim of the gas-only Sorento left me in awe with its upscale materials and elegant design. That is not the hybrid. The Sorento Hybrid EX I tested felt more like a budget vehicle, with a lot of plastic components and a basic style.
The huge, slick-looking, and user-friendly 10.25-inch touchscreen found on the higher-end devices is also absent from the hybrid. The Sorento Hybrid’s touchscreen is barely 8 inches wide. It’s also simple and responsive, but I like the bigger setup more.
Safety and Value
The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid comes with a ton of standard safety features, many of which you’d anticipate and a few you would not. Typical safety features include lane maintain assist, automated lane-centering, blind spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. Only EX versions come with adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go as standard.
Unexpected standard features for the back seats include a safe exit assistance system that uses the SUV’s rear-facing radar to identify oncoming traffic and prevent opening the rear door if a bicycle or vehicle is spotted approaching. After the doors have been locked, there is also a standard rear-seat warning system that employs ultrasonic sensors to detect movement of children or pets in the second and third rows. If movement is detected, the system blasts the horn and turns on the danger lights.
Starting at $34,765, the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid S trim costs $1,700 more than a gas-only S trim. The $37,765 EX model is $1,600 more expensive than the gas-only EX variant. Although the price premium for a hybrid vehicle may seem significant, it is less expensive than the Highlander Hybrid, which has a base LE trim price of $39,910. (all prices include destination).
The Sorento Hybrid isn’t ideal, but if you’re searching for a three-row SUV with good gas mileage, the sacrifices made in comparison to the normal model are negligible in comparison to the significant fuel-economy benefits.
Does the hybrid Kia Sorento qualify for a tax credit?
When it arrives at showrooms in the coming months, the 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid will have a starting price of $46,165, according to CarsDirect.
According to the website, this base price is roughly $5,000 higher than a comparable gasoline Sorento and includes an obligatory $1,175 destination tax. Available incentives, however, might eliminate that price disparity.
The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX base trim level comes standard with all-wheel drive, whereas all-wheel drive is an extra on the gasoline-powered Sorento SX, which contributes to the price difference.
In addition, Kia anticipates that Californians will be eligible for a $1,317 Clean Fuel Reward and a $2,000 Clean Vehicle Rebate, making the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid eligible for a $6,587 federal tax credit. According to CarsDirect, the possible savings come to $9,904.
Additionally, that is before the savings from increased fuel efficiency. With an EPA-rated 32 miles of electric range and a 79 MPGe efficiency rating, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid also delivers 34 mpg combined while operating in hybrid mode. These statistics outperform those of the comparable Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid, despite the Hyundai’s cheaper base price.
They also rank the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid higher than other SUVs of a similar size that are also plug-in hybrids (albeit a tiny market), but we’ll have to wait until the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is released the following year to see how it measures up.
Remember that Kia also sells a Sorento Hybrid that doesn’t have a plug. It had only front-wheel drive at first, but the 2017 model year adds all-wheel drive, and prices start at $35,165 (destination included).
Kia is also speeding up the introduction of all-electric vehicles. Before 2025, we can anticipate the EV6, which has been confirmed for all 50 states, and at least two further EV models.
What are the drawbacks of a hybrid vehicle?
Hybrids are less heavily built, more financially advantageous, and have a greater resale value. They also charge themselves through regenerative braking. Although they have drawbacks, their benefits sometimes outweigh them.
Eco-friendly: Because hybrids have both an electric motor and a gasoline engine, they utilize less fossil fuel and emit less greenhouse gases as a result. Additionally, they get better gas mileage than regular cars do.
Financial advantages: Tax credits and incentives for hybrid vehicle owners and buyers have been implemented by numerous governments throughout the world. Additionally, they are not subject to environmental fees.
Higher resale value: People are becoming more inclined to switch to hybrids as they become weary of gas price swings and care about the environment. As a result, these automobiles’ resale value keeps rising.
Lighter cars: Because hybrids are made of lightweight materials, they use less energy to operate. Their lighter weight and smaller engines also aid in energy conservation.
Regenerative braking: Hybrid vehicles use a mechanism known as regenerative braking that allows the battery to somewhat recharge whenever the driver applies the brakes. The method extends the amount of time between manual recharges for the driver.
Less power: Hybrid vehicles combine an electric motor with a gasoline engine, with the gasoline engine acting as the primary source of power. As a result, neither the gasoline engine nor the electric motor operate as effectively as they do in standard gasoline or electric cars. But regular drivers who often navigate the city do just fine with hybrid vehicles.
Hybrids are generally more expensive to purchase than regular vehicles at first.
Higher operating costs: Due to their engine and the constant advancement of technology, it may be difficult to locate a technician with the necessary skills. Additionally, they might charge you a little bit more for upkeep and repairs. Moreover, replacing the battery has the highest running cost.
Poor handling: Compared to normal vehicles, hybrids have additional machinery, which adds weight and lowers fuel economy. In order to save weight, hybrid car makers had to create smaller engines and batteries. However, the vehicle’s power and body and suspension support are reduced as a result.
Risk of electrocution: Because hybrid batteries have a high voltage, there is a higher chance that accident victims and first responders will be electrocuted.
A hybrid vehicle combines an electric motor with a gas or diesel engine. When the car is moving at a slower pace, the electric motor drives the wheels. As the speed of the car increases, the gas engine takes over. The batteries are also charged by the motor, and each time the driver applies the brakes, regenerative braking charges the batteries.
What is the main issue with hybrid vehicles?
The cheapest PHEV in Australia, the MG HS Essence, costs $38,900, whereas the lowest ICE variant, the MG HS Excite X, costs $29,700. PHEVs are even more expensive.
Poorer fuel efficiency and handling
In addition to the necessity to make the aforementioned compromises by shrinking both the battery and ICE, hybrids and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have two drivetrains packed into one vehicle, adding weight that can have a negative impact on handling and fuel efficiency.
Temperature-sensitive batteries
Excessive heat will hasten battery deterioration, while extreme cold will reduce a battery’s range. These conditions are not friendly to the batteries used in powered cars.
Hybrid batteries may take longer to warm up in colder climates, which increases the amount of energy required by the car’s ICE and decreases fuel efficiency.
Battery production
Because bulldozers and other mining machinery are diesel-powered, the lithium-ion batteries in hybrids and PHEVs consume rare-earth metals, which goes against the idea that purchasing one of these vehicles will have a favorable environmental impact.
Battery recycling
The good news is that after an electric vehicle battery’s life cycle is over, it can be recycled. The bad news is that it’s difficult and expensive to remove the reusable components from batteries, so there is still a long way to go before it’s done in a widespread, economical, and environmentally responsible manner.
PHEVs need a plug
Although it should go without saying, you must always connect your PHEV to an external power source in order to recharge the battery because, unlike hybrids, PHEV batteries do not self-charge. Some people won’t have a problem with this, but for others, finding chargers and figuring out the cables and plugs required can be more work than it’s worth.