Pricing and Specs Announced for the Facelifted Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

2024-09-18

Kia Australia has unveiled the pricing for the facelifted Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), setting it at $84,660 before on-road costs. This new price reflects an increase of approximately $3,500 compared to the previous model, positioning the Sorento GT-Line PHEV AWD around $11,000 above the non-plug-in hybrid Sorento GT-Line HEV AWD.

What's New for the 2025 Sorento PHEV?

The 2025 model year (MY25) Sorento PHEV aligns with updated Euro 6e emissions standards, marking a shift from the Euro 5 standards of the rest of the Sorento range. While this brings the PHEV in line with the latest regulations, it also necessitates the use of 95 RON premium unleaded fuel, compared to the previous 91 RON requirement. Additionally, the braked towing capacity has been reduced from 1350kg to 1010kg.

Despite these changes, the rest of the Sorento lineup remains unchanged in terms of pricing and specifications for MY25. The update comes amid a broader roll-out of Euro 6-compliant powertrains, which Kia Australia’s general manager for product, Roland Rivero, notes will align with Australian Design Rules (ADR) and the upcoming New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).

Limited Supply and Availability

Kia’s electrified Sorento models are currently in limited supply, with approximately 20 units per month allocated for the hybrid (HEV) and just 10 units for the PHEV in the Australian market. Supply issues extend to other models like the Carnival and Sportage, though production constraints have been somewhat alleviated for the Sportage thanks to European manufacturing.

Performance and Features

The Sorento PHEV features a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor and a 14kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The powertrain delivers a combined output of 195kW and 350Nm, with the petrol engine producing 132kW and 265Nm, and the electric motor contributing 67kW and 304Nm.

Charging the battery pack takes approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes from 15% to 95% using AC single-phase charging at up to 3.3kW. The Sorento PHEV boasts a pure-electric range of up to 68 kilometres (NEDC), combined fuel consumption of just 1.6L/100km, and CO2 emissions of 36g/km. For comparison, the diesel Sorento 2.2D AWD consumes 6.1L/100km and emits 159g/km.

GT-Line PHEV AWD Specifications

While full specifications for the GT-Line PHEV AWD are yet to be fully detailed, it is expected to carry over many of the features from the existing GT-Line HEV AWD, including:

19-inch alloy wheels
Full-size spare wheel
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
Blind Spot View Monitor
Remote Smart Parking Assist
Parking Collision Avoidance Assist – Reverse
Quilted Nappa leather-appointed seats
Digital rear-view mirror
Suede headliner
Ambient interior lighting
360-degree surround view monitor
Heated and ventilated front seats
Heated outboard second-row seats
Panoramic sunroof
Kia Connect
Over-the-air updates

Conclusion

The facelifted Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid offers a blend of enhanced emissions compliance and advanced technology, though it comes with a notable price increase. With its extensive feature list and improved fuel efficiency, the Sorento PHEV aims to provide a compelling option for those looking to embrace hybrid technology without compromising on style or performance. As Kia continues to navigate supply challenges and regulatory updates, the Sorento PHEV remains a key player in the brand’s push towards a more sustainable automotive future.