- 7-seat version unavailable
- Made in South Korea
- 261 horsepower powertrain
- Better EV range than sister car Santa Fe
- 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV & 2023 Santa Fe PHEV expected EPA-est. ratings
- Only two trims
- 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) FAQs
- What is the 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV electric range?
- Which are the 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV rivals?
- What is the 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV price?
The 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (2023 Kia Sorento PHEV) should arrive in the U.S. as early as September 2022, as a carry-over model. The plug-in hybrid midsize SUV will compete with the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV and the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Here are the expectations from Kia’s new electrified SUV:
7-seat version unavailable
Kia announced the Sorento PHEV globally in five- and seven-seat layouts. It isn’t offering the seven-seater in the U.S., though, and we don’t think that will change with the MY2023 update. Three-row seating with second-row captain’s chairs (six-seat design) should be standard. This is America’s only three-row plug-in hybrid midsize SUV currently, but the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV arriving in the second half of the year will offer seven-seat comfort. The U.S.-spec current Sorento PHEV has 143.8 cu. ft. of passenger space. Kia is also developing a three-row zero-emissions SUV – the Kia EV9, which it plans to launch in the U.S. in the second half of 2023.
Made in South Korea
The gasoline-powered Sorento rolls out of the West Point Kia plant (Georgia) in the U.S., but the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid’s manufacturing is only at the Hwasung Kia plant in South Korea. The model year update for 2023 will remain unchanged in that regard.
Kia will ship the 2023 Sorento PHEV from its Hwasung plant in South Korea. Image Source: Kia
261 horsepower powertrain
We expect no changes under the hood. Positioned above the 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid, the 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV will combine a 1.6-liter T-GDi turbo-four mill with a 66.9 kW electric motor, and the resulting combined power output is 261 hp. Like in the current model, Kia will mount the electric motor between the engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV would have an AWD system with center locking differential and selectable drive modes, including a Snow mode as standard.
Better EV range than sister car Santa Fe
The electric motor of the Kia Sorento PHEV draws power from a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. It’s a saddle-shaped, water-cooled unit located between the cabin floor and the underfloor, over the top of the propshaft. A 3.3 kW onboard charger situated beneath the cargo floor allows charging it with a plug. The charging port is on the rear three-quarters, opposite the fuel tank lid on the other side.
The 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV should deliver a pure electric range of 32 miles as per EPA estimate, unchanged from the outgoing model. Image Source: Kia
The Sorento PHEV can travel up to 32 miles (EPA est.) in EV mode. With the gasoline tank full and the battery pack fully charged, the total range (EPA est.) is 460 miles. The combined fuel economy rating (EPA est.) is 79 MPGe. All of these are better than its sister model from Hyundai, the Santa Fe. We expect the Kia SUV to continue holding the edge over the Santa Fe in the 2023 model year.
2023 Kia Sorento PHEV & 2023 Santa Fe PHEV expected EPA-est. ratings
AspectExpected 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV SpecificationExpected 2023 Santa Fe PHEV SpecificationCombined Fuel Economy (Elec + Gas)79 MPGe76 MPGeCombined Fuel Economy (Gas)34 MPG33 MPGPure Electric Range32 miles31 milesTotal Range460 miles440 miles
Expected 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV and 2023 Santa Fe PHEV EPA-est. ratings
Only two trims
The 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV could be available in the same trims as the current car – SX and SX Prestige. For reference, the current Sorento PHEV costs USD 45,190 in the SX trim and USD 48,090 in the SX Prestige trim. Federal and state incentives of up to USD 6,587 are available, which reduce the prices to USD 38,603 and USD 41,503, respectively, after Federal Tax Credit. Kia also levies a destination charge of USD 1,295. We expect a small upward revision in the prices.
This article will be updated when new information is available.
2023 Kia Sorento PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) FAQs
What is the 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV electric range?
The 2023 Sorento PHEV’s pure electric range (EPA est.) could be 32 miles.
Which are the 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV rivals?
The plug-in hybrid midsize SUV will compete with the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
What is the 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV price?
Kia will likely price the base 2023 Sorento PHEV in the USA just above USD 45,000.
Featured Image Source: Kia
Sagar Parikh Web Editor
With a Master’s Degree in Business Management & Administration, I’ve been working as an International Automotive News Editor since 2014, and have gained a wealth of knowledge and insight into hybrid and electric vehicles.
Keyword: 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV: Here’s what to expect