Pros and cons
Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid pros and cons — the honest buyer's verdict (2023)
3 min read·Last updated: 2023-01-01·By ev.care editorial team
TL;DR
4 pros, 3 cons. The Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is best for buyers wanting 3-row phev with captain's chairs, awd, and kia value pricing — within that envelope it is one of the strongest picks in its segment.
Every EV is a set of trade-offs. The Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid's 51 km range and Kia the country's segment position are the headlines — but the 4 pros and 3 cons below are what actually drive customer satisfaction one year in. This is a structured look at both columns.
Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid — the pros
The Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid has earned its strongest praise for these reasons. Strength 1 — 32 mi EPA EV range. On the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 2 — Captain's chairs available. On the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 3 — AWD. On the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 4 — 10-year powertrain warranty. On the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Anchoring all of this: a 13.8 kWh battery, 51 km range, and a USD 52,000 - 57,000 / CAD 60,000 - 66,000 starting price that defines the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid's value envelope.
Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid — the cons
On the other side, the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid has these honest weaknesses you should price in. Weakness 1 — Tight 3rd row. On the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 2 — No DC fast charging. On the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 3 — PHEV-only top trim at higher price. On the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. For a plug-in hybrid 3-row suv weighing 0 kg with 190 km/h top speed, these trade-offs are within segment norms but worth pricing in.
Who the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is for
Kia pitches the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid at "Buyers wanting 3-row PHEV with captain's chairs, AWD, and Kia value pricing", and that framing holds up. If your driving fits that shape, the pros above land hardest and the cons fade fastest. 51 km of range is enough for most weekly profiles, and Level 2 AC ~2 hr (7.2 kW) of fast charging keep occasional long trips practical.
Practical next steps
If the cons all touch one part of your week (long highway runs, say, or boot space) — that's the dealbreaker. If they touch unrelated edges, the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is probably the right buy.
Related Kia EVs
If the cons above are dealbreakers, look at hyundai santa fe phev, mazda cx 90 phev — each makes a different set of trade-offs. The Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid wins more often than not in its tier, but cross-shopping protects you from buying the wrong shape.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the biggest reason to choose the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid?
- Pick the pro in the list above that most matches your weekly use. If it's range, value, charging speed, or feature set — whichever sits at the top for you — that's the buy signal.
- Can the cons be fixed with aftermarket changes?
- A few — wheels, tyres, interior comforts, dashcam, charging cables. Most cons in the list above are structural and not modifiable after purchase, so buy with eyes open.
- Does Kia address the cons in newer models?
- Some, not all. Kia has improved the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid platform with each refresh — software updates close a few cons, hardware refresh cycles close more. But fundamental layout decisions (boot space, seating, charge port placement) are baked in for the life of the model.
- Is the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid worth buying overall?
- For buyers wanting 3-row phev with captain's chairs, awd, and kia value pricing, yes. The Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid's pros pay back week after week for that use case. For substantially different needs, you'll find better fits in other models.
In short: buyers wanting 3-row phev with captain's chairs, awd, and kia value pricing is where the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid shines. The cons matter, but they matter less every month as software and parts mature.