Review of Kia Sorento Hybrid finds trustworthy alternative to EVs

Hybrids offer some of the benefits of electric vehicles without the charging inconvenience. Kia’s Sorento offers seven-seats but is only available in the highest specification.

Hybrid versions of the Kia Sorento deliver fuel consumption of less than six litres for every 100km … but expect to wait about 12 months due to limited supply.

Long distance travel can still cause anxiety for electric vehicle contemplators.

Mapping charging stations and pre-planning is required when exploring our nation even with most of the latest EVs offering more than 400km of range.

For those of us regularly travelling in regional areas, EVs and the associated infrastructure has not yet reached maturity.

Kia has an array of bases covered with the big Sorento seven-seater SUV. It’s available with petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid or hybrid variants.

The latter pair deliver an alternative for those not ready, or convinced, about the EV revolution.

Following the removal of fuel excise discounts, and with unleaded petrol now above $2 a litre, our family is undertaking a long-term test of the hybrid variant to see if the efficiency claims stack up in the daily grind.

The 2022 model Kia Sorento Hybrid.

WHAT DO YOU GET?

Only available in top-notch GT-Line specification, Kia throws a lot of kit at the Sorento HEV – as you’d expect with an outlay of more than $70,000 once on-roads are settled.

Highlights within a plush cabin are a 10.25-inch central touchscreen with in-built satnav as well as smartphone mirroring apps Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bose sound system, rotary dial gear selector, chrome features across the dash with 64 mood LED lighting colour options and quilted Nappa leather trim.

Kia set the warranty standard in Australia more than a decade ago offering seven years and unlimited kilometres. While some, including the likes of Skoda, MG, GWM/Haval have matched and Mitsubishi has upped the ante offering 10 years, the majority of mainstream and prestige manufacturers remain at five years.

Capped price servicing is available for seven years at an average cost of $623 with annual or 10,000km intervals. That’s at the upper end of the scale, although Kia has a strong inclusions list so it’s worth evaluating the differences when drawing comparisons to less expensive programs.

Leading interior features of the Kia Sorento Hybrid are a 10.25-inch central touchscreen with in-built satnav as well as smartphone mirroring apps Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bose sound system, along with a rotary dial gear selector.

HOW’S THE SAFETY?

Gaining a five star rating in 2020, the Sorento HEV gains the best features on offer.

Autonomous braking which can step in if the driver fails to apply the anchors if an impending collision is detected (pedestrians and cyclists as well as other vehicles) is standard, which also works in reverse.

Other highlights are a colour head-up display which enables the driver to keep a constant eye on the speedo and satnav directions, radar cruise control, 360-degree camera view for parking and lane keeping functionality that can maintain the Sorento within the white lines if the driver’s attention wanders.

There is a curtain airbag, but it doesn’t completely cover the third row.

Kel and Grant Edwards.

HOW’S THE FUNCTIONALITY?

Modern families will appreciate eight USB ports, three upfront and the remainder in the second and third rows, and there are also the equivalent number of cupholders.

Luckily the console cupholders can also handle larger drink bottles as the door options are difficult to access and require some extra muscle. Kia’s medium-size SUV, the Sportage, has the same issue.

Dropping the second row to make use of the expansive load area can be done electronically via boot-mounted buttons. Returning them to the upright position requires use of a lever and manual intervention. We’ve accommodated three surfboards and adult-sized bikes with ease.

Both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive versions of the Kia Sorento Hybrid are available.

HOW’S THE DRIVE?

Available in both front and all-wheel drive, our test vehicle is the former – a saving of about $3000 over all-paw grip.

Under the bonnet is a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine which works in tandem with an electric motor partnered with a 1kWh battery that is stored below the floor.

The stand-alone electric set-up develops 44kW and 264Nm and can provide the power alone but the petrol engine chimes in when extra power is required and at highway speeds. No charging is required, energy is sent to the battery via regenerative braking and by the engine.

Similar to the Toyota system, the driver doesn’t need to choose between electric or petrol power, it’s all done automatically depending on the terrain and speed.

Initial stints behind the wheel have seen the Sorento deliver on the promised consumption figures of less than six litres for every 100km – especially on short trips where it can rely on stop-start traffic and use the electric power. The engine also runs on E10 or standard unleaded, whereas Toyota’s hybrid Kluger requires premium.

Ride quality can be firm, but the SUV doesn’t feel like a large seven-seater when the going gets twisty. It sets the benchmark when it comes to attacking the curves with minimal body roll.

Off the line the electric and petrol combine for a rapid response and it’s also effective for overtaking.

Space within the Kia Sorento Hybrid is generous, but the rearmost pair of seats are best left to young people or smaller adults.

EARLY VERDICT

Impressive feature and comfort levels meet the price point – lower specified vehicles would improve the appeal to more families. While an expensive outlay, the Sorento remains one of the classiest large SUVs on the road. Initial drives have proven the fuel consumption figures are not fanciful with looks and performance which pushes toward prestige quality.