2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Midsize 3-Row SUV Has 30-Mile Electric Range

For a capable, three-row SUV, 30 miles of electric range is pretty solid.

By: Steven Loveday

Sep 23, 2020 at 1:40pm ET

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Kia just announced details about its updated 2021 Sorento midsize three-row SUV. It features refreshed looks, more space, additional powertrain options, and new tech features, including a longer list of advanced driver-assistance systems.

While the new Sorento is set to come later in 2020 as a 2021 model, the Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) won't join the lineup until sometime in 2021, most likely as a 2022 model.

The upcoming Sorento comes standard with three rows, and, according to Kia, best-in-class interior passenger volume. Seating arrangements are available for either six or seven passengers due to available second-row captain's chairs.

The 2022 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid will feature a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, a 67-kW electric motor, and a 13.9-kWh battery pack. It's too bad it's not 16-kWh so it could have a few more miles of range and be eligible for the full $7,500 U.S. federal EV tax credit.

The powertrain components combine to make an impressive 261 horsepower. Kia estimates the Sorento PHEV will offer 30 miles of EPA-rated all-electric range. There are currently no fuel economy numbers for the PHEV, but the traditional hybrid, which uses the same engine, has an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 37 combined. These are all very good numbers for a large and capable three-row SUV, especially since it comes standard with all-wheel drive.

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The redesigned Sorento boasts a slightly longer wheelbase and increased cargo capacity. The outgoing model's third-row seats and cargo hold were considered small compared to many rivals, so this is a welcome update from Kia.

Kia's only current plug-in hybrid SUV is the smaller Niro PHEV, which is sold nationwide in the States. We can only hope Kia will bring the Sorento PHEV to market as quickly as possible and make it widely available for U.S. shoppers. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Source: Kia