2025 KIA SORENTO PHEV

SORENTO PLUG-IN EASES FEARS OF ANXIETY RANGE FOR RELUCTANT EV BUYERS

A big selling point when it comes to plug-in electric hybrid vehicles that offer a gasoline engine as a backup to the primary electric motor power source is that they eliminate what holds many people back from buying a pure EV.

That would be range anxiety or the fear of running out of juice at the end of a long drive.

The modern plug-in vehicle, or PHEV, alleviates that concern because when it runs out of electric power, a gasoline engine simply takes over. You can then go as long as you have gas in your tank.

The downside is that a PHEV provides only a fraction of the range that a pure EV (or BEV for battery electric vehicle) is good for these days. Many newer EVs can go over 300 miles on a full charge while most PHEVs languish in the 30- to 40-mile range.

It would be nice if it were the other way around with the battery being good for over 300 miles and a smaller gas engine then kicking in for 30 more. Maybe that will come some day.

Kia added a plug-in version of its Sorento SUV for 2022 a year after introducing a standard gas-electric hybrid drivetrain to the lineup in the Sorento redesign for 2021.

The 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV gets refreshing that include updated exterior styling, a new instrument panel and 12.3-inch touchscreen display, and a new EX trim to serve as the base model. This review is based on the top of the portfolio 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV SX Prestige trim.

Both trims feature a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder gas engine paired with an electric motor and mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard and it offers an all-electric driving range of about 30 miles.

Combined horsepower and torque are 261 hp and 270 pound-feet and earn a combined MPGe rating of 74 and gas-only of 33 miles-per-gallon

While the exterior is sleeker and comes in several new colors, it is the stunning interior of the 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV SX Prestige that wowed me starting with its 2-tone color scheme and the white leather seats..

A new 12.3-inch curved touchscreen standard on the SX Prestige trim dominates the front and features a multitude of user-friendly functions. Believe me, if you have a 2-year lease that agreement will end before you can explore all the functions.

Standard features on the 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV SX Prestige include navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charger, dual-zone climate control, and Smart Key with push-button start. 

Driver aids include navigation-based Smart cruise control, parking distance warning, lane-keeping and lane-following assist, and forward and rear-cross traffic collision avoidance assist. and a selection of snow-mode, eco, normal, sport, and Smart drive modes, the latter adapting to your driving style.

Other features on my test 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV SX Prestige like a panoramic sun roof, LED interior lighting, surround view monitor and blind spot monitor, blind-spot collision assist, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, aluminum sport pedals, heated second-row seats, and a Bose premium sound system were included in the starting price of $53,090.

The only extra costs were $225 for carpeted floor mats and $1,375 for a freight charge, bringing the final MSRP to $54,690.

That puts the plug-in version at the solidly top of the of the Kia Sorento pricing chart.

What I liked about the 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV SX Prestige: The interior has a prestige look and appeal and is packed with an abundance of tech features that, with one possible exception (see below), are easy enough to operate. The combination of  the gas engine and electric motor offers good power and around 30 miles of all electric driving for shorter trips. The overall size is manageable and it still accommodates 3-row seating.

What I didn’t like the 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV SX Prestige: There are knobs to adjust audio levels and surf the radio dial, but they are kind of hidden. You have to get to the proper setting on the touchscreen to operate them. Third-row seats eat up rear cargo space and offer less than 30 inches of legroom. The plug-in version is the most expensive model in the Sorento portfolio.

Would I buy the 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV SX Prestige? If you are in the market for a 3-row SUV it definitely should be on your “look” list.