phev, review, sorento, kia sorento phev: lots of space and high consumption

Until the market launch of the all-electric EV9, Kia’s flagship SUV is still the Sorento, and the plug-in hybrid is this model’s top motor. Although the hybrid offers ample space, our driving report shows that this space also has drawbacks.

We weren’t actually planning to test drive a plug-in hybrid with mostly known technology since the Kia Sorento PHEV resembles Kia’s Niro and Sportage plug-in hybrids. Instead, we were waiting for the Kia Niro EV. Unfortunately, the car we were supposed to test was involved in an accident shortly before our scheduled run. Kia, therefore, sent the big Sorento as a plug-in hybrid at short notice. We’ll be back in a few weeks to test the Niro EV in everyday use.

***

Like the Sportage plug-in, the Sorento PHEV is based on Kia’s N3 platform. The drive is therefore the same, but the body is significantly larger. At 4.81 metres, the Sorento is 31 centimetres taller than the Sportage, 3.5 centimetres wider and five centimetres taller.

On paper, the supposedly small differences in width and height don’t adequately indicate just how much larger the Sorento actually is. While the Sportage has a few curves that add a few extra centimetres here and there, the Sorento is relatively angular and evokes American-style cars. The high front stands steeply in the wind, and the roof extends without any significant slope to just before the rear, only to end in a steep rear section. Although this maximises the space in the seven-seater interior, it is at the expense of aerodynamics at both the front and the rear.

The Sorento could actually be seen as an off-road vehicle rather than an SUV, with 18 centimetres of ground clearance, all-wheel drive and elaborate off-road driving modes. If you don’t have to move a horse trailer across muddy meadows on a regular basis, you will probably use the off-road driving in the Sorento just as often as in the Sportage – almost never. And if you do happen to want to move a horse trailer across muddy meadows, you need to make sure it is a small one – the towing capacity is limited to 1.5 tonnes, whereas the Sorento with diesel can tow 2.5 tonnes.

Space, space and more space

The reasons for choosing the Sorento are probably space, space and more space. The first additional space is at the front: the driver and front passenger sit very similarly to the Sportage in terms of ergonomics (felt, not measured). The significantly higher bodywork means that even at 1.85 metres, the head area is decidedly airy. If we were talking about a sports car, you might mention at this point that there’s plenty of headroom, even with a racing helmet. In the Sorento, it would probably be more the cowboy hat to stick with the horse trailer example.

phev, review, sorento, kia sorento phev: lots of space and high consumption
phev, review, sorento, kia sorento phev: lots of space and high consumption
phev, review, sorento, kia sorento phev: lots of space and high consumption
phev, review, sorento, kia sorento phev: lots of space and high consumption
phev, review, sorento, kia sorento phev: lots of space and high consumption
phev, review, sorento, kia sorento phev: lots of space and high consumption

Another place with ample room is the back seat, much the same as the front in terms of height, but also plenty of legroom compared to the Sportage. Not all of the 31 extra centimetres have ended up around the back seat, but some. That really is a class difference. Even when the sliding rear seat is moved to the most forward position, there is still enough room (depending on how the front seats are adjusted) for adults to travel comfortably in the Sorento over longer distances.

And last but not least, of course, is the boot. Here, too, the class difference is noticeable. With five seats in use, the boot volume is around 700 litres. This is a few litres more or less, depending on whether the Sorento was ordered as a seven-seater and the small compartment under the boot has fallen victim to the folded rear seat backrests.

Our test car was such a seven-seater, then the load compartment could even shrink to 187 litres if seats six and seven are actually used. If the seat backs in both rows are folded down, just over 2,000 litres fit in the Sorento. The load area rises slightly and is not completely flat, but due to the enormous interior height, this space is still usable for most applications.

To cut a long story short: spaciousness is the big argument in favour of the Sorento. Most buyers are likely to choose the body of the Sorento because of their roominess requirements and then choose the matching powertrain. It is probably less likely that a driver would choose a Sorento PHEV if they were primarily looking for a plug-in drive from Hyundai-Kia.

High consumption lowers the range – even in petrol mode

As unbeatable as the spaciousness and feeling of room inside are, at two tonnes, the Sorento PHEV is neither particularly light nor very streamlined. A Tesla Model Y Long Range weighs the same, is only six centimetres shorter, but glides through the wind with significantly less resistance.

This has several effects when driving. The most obvious, of course, are consumption and range. At 28 kWh/100km, the power consumption was only about two-kilowatt hours higher than our test value for the smaller Sportage (German exclusive), which is almost okay considering the dimensions. But we did not come close to the 16.1 kWh/100km rated as WLTP value. If, on the other hand, we take the similarly sized Model Y just mentioned as a comparison, the Sorento, as a plug-in hybrid, allows itself significantly more power than the incomparably more powerful battery electric car.

In terms of range, this means that a fully charged battery in the Sorento with its 13.8 kWh would be empty after 49 kilometres. However, the Kia always retains a certain buffer in the battery so that it no longer drives purely electrically when the charge level is less than around 15 per cent – or only for very short sections when manoeuvring slowly. A large part of owning the Sorento’s plug-in hybrid means having reliable access to a charging station because it is likely to need charging for every day it is used.

The issue of range is not just about the battery. The petrol tank can hold just 47 litres. In our test, the overall range enabled by the combination of electric motor and combustion engine came to just over 400 kilometres. Fuel consumption in our test usually went into double figures irrespective of whether on short trips in single-digit plus temperatures or on motorway sections.

If you run the battery down and don’t fill it up to the reserve, more than 350 kilometres on the motorway are probably out of the question – and you can only fill up the tank quickly in the Sorento, the battery is only charged with alternating current. We are already looking forward to the practical tests with the EV9, which should compare well with the Sorento in terms of bodywork (and its primary focus on the US market).

The petrol engine dampens the driving pleasure

The Sorento PHEV weight and aerodynamics also mean that the 1.6-litre petrol engine with its 132 kW often reaches its limits when the battery is empty, and the 67 kW of the electric motor are thus omitted. At higher revs, it gets quite loud, and you can feel the small four-cylinder struggling in the big car. This is not fun in the long run, it very rarely feels like 195 kW system power in the Sorento. The Sorento is particularly pleasant to drive at lower speeds in E-mode, even if 67 kW does not sound like much. The glaring problem here is that, in the spirit of sustainable transport – or the Verkehrswende, meaning transport transition, as we say in Germany – 4.81-metre-long seven-seater SUVs are not a practical size to drive through inner cities, especially in Europe, even if it is the speed comfort zone of this specific vehicle.

Whether the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is the right car depends on how you look at it. The BEV world cannot yet offer this much space and the option of seven seats in this price range. The long versions of the available high-roof station wagons usually lack range, and their aerodynamics and efficiency also need improvement, so they are no real substitute. Critics, on the other hand, see a big car with a small battery and a thirsty petrol engine. Plenty of space or not.

Conclusion

Prospective buyers of a PHEV SUV will not end up with the Kia Sorento by chance but very consciously because of its size. The price makes sure that you don’t just buy the extra 31 centimetres without really wanting it, even if the Sportage with its 4.52 metres would actually be enough. The recommended retail price for the plug-in hybrid was 61,390 euros in Germany, a whopping 16,100 euros more than the Sportage. Our test car as a seven-seater even cost just under 64,000 euros. In the end, due to “lack of availability”, orders for the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid have been stopped. Kia could not confirm when exactly the model will be available again.

Reporting by Sebastian Schaal, Germany.

Keyword: Kia Sorento PHEV: Lots of space and high consumption

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Rev Up Your Dreams: BAuto's Exclusive Pre-Owned Carnival – Luxury, Sportiness, and Unbeatable Deals Awaits You!

Step into the world of automotive excellence with Bermaz Auto Berhad (BAuto), your trusted distributor of KIA, Peugeot, and Mazda! Mark your calendars for an exhilarating Pre-Owned Carnival at select BAuto branches on November 25th and 26th. This is your golden ticket to delve into a curated collection of pre-owned ...

View more: Rev Up Your Dreams: BAuto's Exclusive Pre-Owned Carnival – Luxury, Sportiness, and Unbeatable Deals Awaits You!

Toyota Urban Cruiser vs Kia Sonet vs Haval Jolion: Here's our winner

The new Urban Cruiser is bigger and better than the model it replaces, but does that mean we would choose it over other competent rivals? Let's compare the Toyota with rivals from Kia and Haval. The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is an important product for the Japanese marque, not only ...

View more: Toyota Urban Cruiser vs Kia Sonet vs Haval Jolion: Here's our winner

Kia’s cheaper, smaller EV3 electric SUV spotted testing as EV9’s younger sibling

A smaller, cheaper electric SUV based on Kia’s flagship EV9 is due out next year. Ahead of its launch, the Kia EV3 was spotted testing in South Korea, giving us a good look at the new EV’s actual size. Kia introduced the EV3 concept last week at the 2023 ...

View more: Kia’s cheaper, smaller EV3 electric SUV spotted testing as EV9’s younger sibling

U.S. probes Hyundai, Kia recall into 6.4 million vehicles over fire risks

Companies Hyundai Motor Co Carparts.Com Inc Kia Corp WASHINGTON, Nov 20 (Reuters) – U.S. auto safety regulators said Monday they had opened a probe into 16 separate recalls issued by Hyundai (005380.KS) and Kia (000270.KS) covering 6.4 million vehicles relating to brake fluid leaks that could result in fires. ...

View more: U.S. probes Hyundai, Kia recall into 6.4 million vehicles over fire risks

Hyundai and Kia are ‘pulling ahead’ with strong EV demand despite rival concerns

Despite concerns over a cooling EV market, Hyundai and Kia are “very bullish” as demand for their electric vehicles remains strong. Over the past few months, I’m sure you’ve read headlines like “Automakers overestimated EV demand,” but some believe they are right on track. This includes Hyundai, Kia, and ...

View more: Hyundai and Kia are ‘pulling ahead’ with strong EV demand despite rival concerns

$1B Lawsuit Against Hyundai And Kia Isn't Going Away

A judge rejected the automakers’ motion to dismiss the lawsuit from insurance companies over vehicle thefts.

View more: $1B Lawsuit Against Hyundai And Kia Isn't Going Away

Hyundai, Kia see strong demand for EVs, despite rivals' concerns

LOS ANGELES, Nov 17 (Reuters) – Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) and Kia (000270.KS) see strong U.S. demand for electric vehicles (EVs), senior executives at the South Korean automakers told Reuters ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show. The comments run against industry fears that inflation and higher interest rates will ...

View more: Hyundai, Kia see strong demand for EVs, despite rivals' concerns

Hands-on: The Kia EV9 is huge, but its backseat and frunk are not

Kia EV9 interior (Source: Kia) The LA Auto Show is in town, and we got a chance to hop in the EV9 and see how big this three-row EV really is. It turns out, from the inside, it was smaller than expected. This isn’t a full review, first drive, ...

View more: Hands-on: The Kia EV9 is huge, but its backseat and frunk are not

Kia launches $20K EV5 electric SUV in China to rival leaders BYD and Tesla

Read About The Refreshed 2024 Kia Sorento For SEO Purposes

Los Angeles 2023: Kia EV3 and EV4 Concepts get North American Premiere

Los Angeles 2023: 2024 Kia Sorento Shows Off New Image

Kia gears up for LA show with 2 concept EVs

Kia shows its EV3 and EV4 concepts at LA Auto Show

Old Kia Sorento Hybrid Will Be Sold Alongside New 2024 Model Next Year

Hyundai, Kia must face insurers' lawsuits over vehicle thefts

Hyundai, Kia EVs Charge The Fastest, Tesla Barely Makes It Into Top 10: Edmunds

Which EVs charge the fastest? Hyundai, Kia, and Porsche lead in new charging test

You Can Lease A 2024 Kia EV9 With The Longest Range From $599 A Month

Kia offers $599/mo lease deal on the new 2024 EV9 electric SUV with over 300 miles range

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel