5 things you need to know about the 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV

Kia has launched the 2022 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid in the U.S. market. The plug-in hybrid midsize SUV competes with the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

7-seat version unavailable

Kia announced the 2022 Sorento PHEV globally in five- and seven-seat layouts. It isn’t offering the seven-seat layout in the U.S., though. The company says that three-row seating with second-row captain’s chairs (six-seat layout) is standard. This is America’s only three-row plug-in hybrid midsize SUV, although the new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV due next year will be available with three rows, that too with seven, not six seats. The U.S.-spec 2022 Sorento PHEV offers 143.8 cu. ft. of passenger space.

Made in South Korea

The gasoline-powered Sorento rolls out of the West Point Kia plant in the U.S., but the Sorento Hybrid’s manufacturing takes place only at the Hwasung Kia plant in South Korea.

261 horsepower powertrain

The 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV combines a 1.6-liter T-GDi turbo-four mill with a 66.9 kW electric motor, and the resulting combined power output is 261 hp. Kia mounts the electric motor between the engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV gets an AWD system with center locking differential and selectable drive modes, including a Snow mode as standard.

Better EV range than sister car Santa Fe

The electric motor of the 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV draws power from a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. It’s a saddle-shaped, water-cooled unit located between the cabin floor and the underfloor, over the top of the propshaft. A 3.3 kW on-board charger situated beneath the cargo floor allows charging it with a plug. The charging port is on the rear three-quarters, opposite the fuel tank lid on the other side.

The 2022 Sorento PHEV can travel up to 32 miles (EPA est.) in EV mode. With the gasoline tank full and the battery pack fully charged, it gives a total range (EPA est.) of 460 miles. Combined fuel economy rating (EPA est.) is 79 MPGe. All of these are better than those of its sister model from Hyundai – the 2022 Santa Fe.

2022 Santa Fe PHEV vs. 2022 Sorento PHEV

Only two trims

The 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV is available in two trims. It costs USD 44,990 in the SX trim and USD 47,890 in the SX-Prestige trim. These retail prices drop to as low as USD 38,403 and USD 41,303, respectively, after Federal Tax Credit.

Kia Sorento PHEV FAQs

Featured Image Source: Kia