Kia Sorento Hybrid review
The Kia Sorento Hybrid offers everything a great seven-seat family SUV needs to: it's well equipped, stylish and practical
Pros
- Great in-car tech
- Massively practical
- Strong performance
Cons
- Ride quality
- Quite expensive
- Diesel can tow more
| Car type | Fuel economy | CO2 emissions | 0-62mph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 38-41mpg | 158-168g/km | 8.7s |
The Kia Sorento and smaller Sportage are great examples of how far the South Korean brand has evolved its family SUV models over the years, from somewhat agricultural 4x4s to some of the most stylish and advanced cars available. The Sorento is now available as either a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or diesel for the first time – this review focuses on the petrol hybrid.
Although the plug-in hybrid is capable of the most headline-grabbing efficiency figures, the more affordable hybrid will still make sense for lots of buyers. That’s particularly the case if regular charging is difficult, as it never requires plugging in. Its 1.6-litre ‘T-GDi’ turbocharged petrol engine is paired with an electric motor and small battery, which is recharged automatically as the car decelerates.
Rivals include the SEAT Tarraco and Skoda Kodiaq, although the Sorento is a little more expensive than those options. In July 2022, Kia streamlined the Sorento range to a single 'Edition' trim level, replacing the previous 2, 3 and 4 grades in the process.
Priced at just under £50,000, this specification includes black exterior styling, 19-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, a powered tailgate, remote parking assistance, a 360-degree camera, a premium 12-speaker stereo, wireless phone charging and 10-way (driver) plus eight-way (passenger) power-adjustable front seats.
Practicality is a strong point, as there’s loads of space inside the cabin for passengers and a big 608-litre boot with the second row of seats in place and the third row folded flat. With the rearmost seats up, there’s enough space even for adults – but they’re not ideal for long trips. Kids will fit fine, though.
The Kia Sorento scores highly on the key areas you look for in a family SUV – it’s roomy, well-equipped, safe and efficient. It’s not ideal for towing, so those with a caravan or horsebox might want to look at the diesel version, but the Hybrid model’s quiet running and efficiency are very appealing for most other buyers. For a more detailed look at the car, read on for the rest of our in-depth review…
