2025 Kia Sorento PHEV 25-30 Mile EV Range - Review by Mark Maynard

The 2025 Sorento plug-in hybrid has a battery-electric driving range
of 30 to 32 miles

Jump To Special Features

• What’s New for the 2025 Kia Sorentos?
• Kia Sorento Gas Model Pricing
• Kia Sorento Hybrid Pricing
• Sorento’s 3 Row Competition
• 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV Specifications

By Mark Maynard

Kia America has completed its trio of Sorento SUV powertrains with the 2025 Sorento PHEV plug-in hybrid. All versions of the midsize Sorento SUV have three rows of seats and drive configurations of front- or all-wheel drive.

The 2025 Sorento plug-in hybrid is now on sale with a battery-electric driving range of 30-32 mpg. In addition to the new powertrain variant, Kia has updated the 2025 Sorento PHEV and Hybrid models with a range of enhancements. Kia says that many of the updates aim to cater to the digital needs of today’s consumers.

The Sorento’s PHEV powertrain integrates a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 66.9 kW electric motor, and a 13.8 kWh battery. The Sorento PHEV has an EPA-estimated 74 MPGe combined and an EPA-estimated all-electric range of 30 miles. A six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard.

For 2025, the Sorento PHEV is sold in two trim levels of EX and SX Prestige. Pricing for the 2025 Sorento PHEV EX starts at $49,365, and the PHEV SX Prestige starts at $54,465. Manufacturer suggested retail pricing includes the $1,375 freight charge from Hwasung, Korea. While gasoline-powered Sorentos are built in West Point, Ga., the electrified models are built in Korea. Check current Sorento PHEV pricing here.

Kia Sorento Background

Now in its fourth generation in the U.S., the Kia Sorento debuted in February 2002; the first generation Sorento was a traditional truck-based body-on-frame SUV. The Kia Sorento transitioned from a body-on-frame to a unibody chassis in 2011 with the second generation of the vehicle. Kia maintained its popular-selling Sorento with redesigns, fresh engineering, or facelifts about every two years.

The current 2025 Sorento was completely redesigned and re-engineered in 2020. It was made larger on a longer wheelbase and offered a hybrid or gas engine. A mild refresh for the 2024 model year added vertically stacked and slimmer LED headlights and a smoother front bumper design aligned with the grille. The front lights are reminiscent of the EV9 and the 2025 Carnival, influenced by Kia’s new design language. The rear lights and bumper had minor tweaks.

The Sorento fits into the Kia lineup between the smaller Sportage and the larger Telluride.

What’s New for the 2025 Kia Sorentos?

Kia says the 2025 Sorento PHEV and Sorento Hybrid were updated for a sleeker appearance, using new standard lighting elements. Among the lighting updates include Kia’s signature Star Map lighting in the front and rear, and amber daytime running lights.

Plug-in and HEV models also have special paint colors: Cityscape Green, Mineral Blue, and Volcanic Sand. Also new is a Dust Blue interior hue and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Interior enhancements feature many digital elements. A standard panoramic instrument panel has a 4.3-inch TFT (Thin Film Transistor) and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The SX-Prestige is upgraded to a curved panoramic panel linking two 12.3-inch dual screens. This display unlocks Kia’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit operating system. Kia says the new OS has faster processing speeds and over-the-air update capability. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, as are USB-C ports throughout all three rows. The SX-Prestige adds such luxury elements as a suede headliner, ventilated front seats, and Advanced Digital Key 2.0.

Notable driver convenience systems added to the 2025 Sorento models include available Smart Cruise Control-Machine Learning. Kia says SCC Machine Learning will monitor about 1-2 hours of the user’s driving. The system will then use that data to set preferences such as following distance, rates of acceleration and deceleration, and reaction speed. The result is a more intuitive and personalized driving experience.

Smart Cruise functions with Kia’s Highway Driving Assist 2. Its features include automatic lane change to help the vehicle maintain a set distance from the vehicle detected ahead. It also helps the vehicle stay within lane markers on select highways and aids in lane changes.

Kia Sorento Gas Model Pricing

The gasoline-powered Sorento complements the 2025 refreshed turbo hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.

Gas (ICE) versions of the Sorento are offered in two 2.5-liter four-cylinder powertrains with eight-speed automatic transmissions. All Sorentos have a choice of front- or all-wheel drive.

Base models have a 191-horsepower, direct-injected 2.4-liter four-cylinder. Mid- and upper-range 2025 Sorento trim levels have turbocharged versions of the 2.4-liter with 281 hp.

Fuel economy estimates for the base models are 26 mpg city, 31 highway, and 23 mpg combined. AWD mileage estimates are 23/28/25 mpg city/highway/combined. Regular unleaded fuel is recommended.

Towing capacities are 1,650 pounds for unbraked trailers or 2,000 pounds for a braked trailer. Adding the optional towing package increases trailering capacity to 3,500 pounds. The top-line X-Pro SX Prestige AWD has a tow rating of 4,500 pounds.

Look for the current Kia Sorento pricing offers and incentives here.

Kia Sorento Hybrid Pricing

Sorento gasoline-electric models are available in trims of EX and SX Prestige. All-wheel-drive is an $1,800 option for the Sorento EX. AWD is standard on the SX Prestige.

Sorento’s hybrid (HEV) models are offered in two trim levels with a six-speed automatic transmission. Sorento EX pricing starts at $40,065 and the SX Prestige at $48,265.

The HEV powertrain consists of:

• 177.5-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine;
• 1.5 kWh lithium-ion-polymer battery;
• 44.2 kW electric motor;
• Total system power is 227 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque.

EPA-estimated fuel economy for the front-drive Sorento Hybrid is 36 mpg city, 36 highway, and 36 mpg combined. AWD hybrid models have mileage estimates of 34/34/34 city/highway/combined. Regular unleaded fuel is recommended. The 17.7-gallon fuel tank could provide up to 637 miles for front-wheel drive or 602 miles for AWD.

Unbraked trailering capacity is 1,654 pounds.

Sorento’s 3-Row Competition

Competing midsize SUVs with the Kia Sorento include:

• Toyota Grand Highlander;
• Mazda CX-90;
• Hyundai Santa Fe (corporate partner to the Sorento);
• Mitsubishi Outlander;
• Subaru Ascent.

2025 Kia Sorento PHEV Specifications

Body style: midsize, three-row plug-in hybrid SUV in front- or all-wheel drive

Powertrain: 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 66.9 kW electric motor, and 13.8 kWh battery

Motor: 89.7-hp permanent magnet synchronous

Battery: 38 Ah lithium-ion polymer

Battery weight: 322 pounds

Total system power: 261 hp; 270 lb.-ft. torque

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Fuel economy: 74 MPGe combined

EPA-estimated all-electric range: 30-32 miles

Fuel tank: 12.4 gallons; total driving range 460 miles

BY THE NUMBERS

Length/wheelbase: 189.6/ 110.8 inches

Width/height: 74.8/66.7 inches

Curb weight: 4,652 pounds

Cargo space: 12.6 to 38.5 cubic feet

Front head/leg room: 40.3*/41.4 inches *w/o sunroof

2nd row head/leg room: 39.140.3/ inches

3rd row head/leg room: 36.8/29.6 inches

Turning circle: 38 feet

FEATURES

Standard PHEV exterior features include: Torque vectoring AWD with center-locking differential, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED projector headlights and LED fog lights, roof rails, smart power liftgate with auto-close, front and rear parking sensors.

Standard interior features include: 6-passenger seating with 2nd-row captain’s chairs, SynTex upholstery, heated front seats, 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way lumbar, 12.3-inch touchscreen display with navigation, Kia Connect, and satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Smart Key entry and locking with push button start and remote start, 8 USB charging ports, wireless phone charging pad, auto-dimming rearview mirror, electric parking brake with auto-hold.

Driver Assistance Technologies include:

• Auto Emergency Braking Technology with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection
• Blind-Spot detection technology
• Highway Driving Assist
• Lane Keeping and Following Assist Technology
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Driver Attention Warning w/ Leading Vehicle Departure Alert
• Safe Exit Assist
• Rear Occupant Alert

Where assembled: Hwasung, Korea.

Warranties: 5-years/60,000-miles bumper to bumper with assistance; 10-years/100,000-miles powertrain; 10-years/100,000-miles hybrid/electric system components and hybrid traction battery.