Sorento Hybrid Fuel Economy For a hybrid SUV, the 2022 Sorento Hybrid’s fuel efficiency is quite impressive. It achieves an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the interstate, and 37 mpg overall with front-wheel drive. The combined mileage for all-wheel-drive versions falls to 35 mpg, 33 mpg on the highway, and 36 mpg in the city.
In This Article...
Will the Kia Sorento Hybrid be offered with AWD in 2022?
Overview of the hybrid 2022 Kia Sorento The 1.6 L-liter hybrid engine in the Kia Sorento Hybrid variants can produce up to 227 horsepower, depending on the engine type. All-wheel drive and front-wheel drive are both available on the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid.
Which trim is offered for the hybrid Kia Sorento 2022?
The Kia Sorento, formerly a background-fading SUV, has undergone a revamp and is now a true head-turner. The new Sorento’s interior is more adaptable and feature-rich, which is arguably more significant. The three-row SUV comes in a variety of trims and packages for 2022, along with two gasoline and two hybrid powertrain options. Learn about the differences between each 2022 Kia Sorento trim level in our guide, and find out which one we’d choose.
Kia Sorento LX Pros and Cons
A 2.5-liter normally aspirated four-cylinder engine powers the base LX model. It is connected to FWD as standard or AWD as an option by an eight-speed automatic transmission. 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, and heated power-adjustable side mirrors are among the exterior amenities. Interior comfort is improved with noise-insulating side windows and solar-absorbing side windows.
Regarding that interior It has seven seats and a bench with three seats crosswise in the second row. The seats are manually adjustable and covered in cloth. Standard features include an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and USB ports in each of the three rows. Forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and rear-seat occupant alert are all safety features. The Sorento LX lacks capacitive HVAC buttons and push-button start, in contrast to higher-end versions. AWD adds $1,800 to the base price of roughly $31,000.
Kia Sorento S Pros and Cons
A step up to the Sorento S model adds front and rear bumpers with a sporty appearance, 18-inch machined wheels, black trim accents, and roof rails. There are still seven seats inside, but they are now covered in leatherette, which is contrasted by a steering wheel and shifter upholstered in leather. The driver’s seat is power-adjustable, and the front seats are heated. Dual-zone climate control is also added to the cabin.
A 10.3-inch infotainment screen, an extra USB port in the second row, voice recognition, and built-in navigation are among the technological advancements. Additionally, push-button start and keyless entry are included. Improved driver assistance features include rear parking sensors, rear and side cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot collision prevention. This model has a $33,500 starting price.
This year, Kia makes the X-Line option available on additional Sorento models, beginning with the S. The Sorento S X-Line is equipped with tough front and rear bumpers, 18-inch wheels with a black finish, and upgraded roof rails. The same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is used mechanically, but it now has standard lockable AWD, a 1-inch-higher ride height, and a snow driving mode. Other features and information, like imitation wood interior trim, are shared with the Sorento S. The base price of the Sorento S is around $35,500 when the X-Line option is chosen.
The S trim is the base model for the 2022 Sorento Hybrid. It has a hybrid powertrain with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and either basic front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). Other than the second row captain’s seats and 17-inch wheels, the features and specifics are basically the same as the ordinary Sorento S. With FWD, the base Sorento Hybrid begins at slightly over $35,000. It begins at just over $37,000 with AWD.
Kia Sorento EX Pros and Cons
Upgrade to the EX level if the Sorento’s base four-cylinder engine isn’t powerful enough. This brings a four-cylinder engine with a 2.5-liter turbocharger and an eight-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. Once more, FWD is common.
It has a power-operated liftgate and front LED foglights on the outside. It reduces seating to six by replacing the second-row bench seat with individual captain’s chairs. There is now a wireless charging pad in the center console up front. The outstanding Highway Driving Assist semi-autonomous system from Kia gets enhanced with adaptive cruise control, which works in conjunction with lane maintain assist. Front parking sensors and forward collision avoidance for bikes, pedestrians, and intersections are additional safety enhancements. The 2022 Sorento starts at roughly $36,500 in EX trim.
In addition, for 2022, the X-Line package will be extended to the EX model, bringing lockable AWD, 20-inch wheels, improved roof rails, and tough exterior appearance. The regular EX trim shares the same features and characteristics. It costs slightly more than $40,000.
The 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid FWD powerplant is still available in the Sorento Hybrid’s EX level. Compared to the Sorento Hybrid S, this vehicle has additional features like power-operated tailgate, wireless charging pad, and LED foglights. The Sorento Hybrid EX, which starts at just under $37,000 with FWD and $39,500 with AWD, also has the Highway Driving Assist system, improved forward collision avoidance, and front parking sensors.
Kia Sorento SX Pros and Cons
Exterior improvements for the Sorento SX, which has a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, include 20-inch alloys, full LED headlights, and LED taillights. Additionally, there has a sizable panoramic sunroof. The inside features a wireless charging station, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and satin chrome door handles. With FWD, prices start just under $39,500, while with AWD, they start just over $41,000.
The Sorento will be available with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain starting in 2022. Starting with the SX model, it has many of the same features as the gas-powered Sorento SX, with the exception of 19-inch wheels and standard AWD. Pricing for the 2022 Sorento PHEV has not yet been disclosed.
Kia Sorento SX Prestige Pros and Cons
What makes the Sorento SX Prestige so prestigious? From the exterior, it’s difficult to notice the difference because the only modification is the power-folding side mirrors. However, it has leather seating with perforations inside. The rear captain’s chairs are heated, while the front seats offer additional power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. Additionally heated is the steering wheel. A 12.3-inch all-digital instrument gauge display is present in place of traditional instrument gauges. Convenience is enhanced by an auto-dimming rearview mirror. A 12-speaker Bose premium system has replaced the standard six-speaker stereo configuration. With FWD, all of this is available for just over $42,000.
AWD adds the X-Line package with its more aggressive exterior appearance, wider roof rails, faux wood interior trim, and other aesthetic changes to the SX Prestige level, which is shipped as standard in FWD. The top-of-the-line Sorento costs roughly $44,000.
The SX Prestige trim of the Sorento plug-in hybrid is also an option, and it comes with leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a digital gauge display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and other perks. Prices should be a little bit more than those of its gas-powered competitors.
Which 2022 Kia Sorento Model Is Best?
Any 2022 Sorento trim you choose will be an attractive, roomy, safe, and intelligent SUV. The EX variant with AWD is our pick among the available models. It boasts a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, which is significantly more powerful than the original four-cylinder, but it’s mated to a dual-clutch automatic transmission that can occasionally be awkward. To contain all the torque it produces, we believe AWD is required. Also included in the Sorento EX is the functional Highway Driving Assist system. The middle seat in the second row is the only sacrifice, so if you need room for seven people, go with the Sorento S. If your money allows, choose an SX variant to receive luxuries like a large panoramic sunroof (like the one in our long-term review fleet). However, we believe the 2022 Kia Sorento EX with AWD offers the greatest overall combination of performance, features, and price for the majority of consumers.
Are we going to get a Kia Sorento PHEV?
The U.S. market now offers the 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (2022 Kia Sorento PHEV). The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV are rivals of the plug-in hybrid midsize SUV. 6.1.
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.
Which models of Kia are hybrids?
Kia provides two different hybrid car models. Full Parallel Hybrid technology powers the Kia Niro and Sorento Hybrid vehicles. A motorized electric drive unit is connected to the Kia Gas Direct Injection (GDI) engine. Depending on your driving conditions, both motors can operate cooperatively or independently to give the perfect power to achieve the highest levels of fuel efficiency. Regenerative braking is another ingenious feature of the Full Parallel Hybrid system. The electric traction motor absorbs kinetic energy as it slows down and stores it in the battery. Kia hybrid vehicles include benefits such as lower emissions, fewer trips to the gas station, and smooth power delivery.
Electric vehicles, also referred to as EVs or plug-in hybrids, only use electricity as a source of power. The exciting all-electric Kia EV6 and the nimble Kia Niro EV are two examples of this kind of vehicle. Simply connect the car to a 240V or 480V Direct-Current Fast Charge station or a regular household outlet to begin charging.
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.