Kia Sorento GT Line PHEV 2022 Motoring Minute Review

We drive the Sorento PHEV on a road test review

Sorento PHEV – When it comes to family sized SUVs the Kia Sorento is amongst the best and now comes in a choice of petrol, diesel and the one I am driving this week a Plug in Hybrid Electric version.

Kia Sorento PHEVBased on the luxurious GT Line the PHEV is the first electrified model in the Sorento line-up with its powertrain combining a turbocharged petrol engine with a battery pack and electric motor.

TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Kia Sorento PHEV engine

With a fully charged battery pack, you can drive up to 68 kilometres on electric power alone. This means that if I plugged the Sorento in each night I could pretty much drive around every day without using petrol. That’s pretty cool.

Kia Sorento PHEV

The real benefit of a PHEV is that you get the daily savings of all electric power but can still take longer trips without having to think about it too much as you can simply fill up at a petrol station, but still get the excellent economy of the Hybrid power.

The latest Sorento models offer enhanced all-terrain capability thanks to a new Terrain Mode where drivers can choose from ‘Mud’, ‘Snow’ and ‘Sand’ modes.

Kia Sorento PHEV dash

The one downside with the Sorento PHEV though is price. It’s around $81,990 drive away and that’s about $15,000 more expensive than the GT Line diesel and you can buy a lot of diesel for that.

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Brianna Fraser

Kia Sorento PHEV dash

What is good?

What is not so good?

  • Luxury features
  • Quiet and economical
  • Interior space

Kia Sorento PHEV plug

Model   

Kia Sorento GT Line PHEV  

Model PriceFrom $80,330 MLP*
Engine1.6L Turbo 4 Cyl Hybrid
Drivetrain8 speed Auto AWD
Power132kW @ 5500rpm
Torque265Nm @ 1500-4500rpm
Safety5 Star  ANCAP (tested Aug 2020)
CO2 Emissions36g/km
0-100kmh / top speedN/A
Economy ADR / Tank1.6.L/100km ADR, 5.8 L/100km over our test / 67L
Servicing12 months / 10,000 km
Warranty7yr/ Unlimited km with 7 Yr. conditional roadside assist

 *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 is a recommended drive away price.

Kia Sorento PHEV rear

Overall Rating    

85/100

Behind the Wheel9
Comfort9
Equipment9
Performance9
Ride and Handling9
Practicality9
Fit for Purpose9
AWD Ability / Towing7
Technology / connectivity8
Value for Money7

Motoring Minutes are heard around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 150,000 listeners. That’s over 750,000 listeners a week.

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

Motoring Minutes are also syndicated through various news sites around Australia

  • 9/10
    Behind the Wheel - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Comfort - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Equipment - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Performance - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Ride and Handling - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Practicality - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Fit for Purpose - 9/10
  • 7/10
    AWD Ability / Towing - 7/10
  • 8/10
    Technology / connectivity - 8/10
  • 7/10
    Value for Money - 7/10
8.5/10

Summary

Sorento PHEV – When it comes to family sized SUVs the Kia Sorento is amongst the best and now comes in a choice of petrol, diesel and the one I am driving this week a Plug in Hybrid Electric version.

About Brianna Fraser 71 Articles
Brianna has been driving a different car every week since she got her learners permit. Now writing and doing videos for us she is also qualified in the Hospitality, Beauty and Child Care industries but still finds time to be our resident gourmet chef. She provides the most magnificent meals when the mood takes her.Her camp oven damper made at Ute weekends and camping trips has to be tasted to be believed.In addition to that, she has a particular affinity with off road driving and has been driving since she was 9 years on the same farm as Rob learned to drive on. Unusually for one so young she is exceptionally competent with off road driving, keeping up with drivers that many more years experience. Brianna is currently compiling her own bush cook book along with her other business interests.