Kia Sorento PHEV AWD SUV 2021 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   

Mazda CX-8 Asaki LE  

Model PriceFrom $69,290 MLP*
Engine2.2L Twin Turbo 4 Cyl Diesel
Drivetrain6 speed Auto AWD
Power140kW @ 4500rpm
Torque450Nm @ 2000rpm
Safety5 Star  ANCAP (tested 2018)
CO2 Emissions158g/km
0-100kmh / top speed9.6sec/TBC
Economy ADR / Tank6.0 L/100km ADR, 7.8 L/100km over our test / 74L
Servicing12 months / 10,000 km
Warranty5yr/ Unlimited km with 5 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
Performance8
Ride and Handling8
Practicality9
Fit for Purpose9
AWD Ability / Towing8
Technology / connectivity8
Value for Money8
About Brianna Fraser 70 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.