Kia Sorento Hybrid 2022 Review

Whereas the front-wheel drive version of the 2022 Kia Sorento GT-Line Hybrid starts at 66,750 plus on-road costs, the all-wheel drive GT-Line HEV (for hybrid electric vehicle) tested here starts at $69,750 plus ORCs.

That’s $4680 upstream of the equivalent diesel-powered Sorento, but much more affordable than the niche plug-in hybrid Sorento PHEV that starts at $80,330 plus ORCs.

It’s also one of the very few self-charging hybrid seven-seat large SUVs available in Australia.

The GT-Line comes loaded with pretty much everything a family of up to seven could possibly want, as well as a few extra chassis goodies not seen on lesser variants, namely Sachs dampers and 19-inch alloy wheels.

All Sorento models look broadly similar, with the main cosmetic differences between grades coming down to the exterior trim and the size and design of the alloy wheels.

Inside, though, it’s a different story.

Specifying GT-Line brings a glorious set of power-adjustable Nappa leather seats that are both heated and cooled up front and heated in the second row.

Other keynote features include a rotary gear selector, 64-colour ambient lighting, a panoramic roof, piano black trim, a heated steering wheel, sun shades, digital instrument cluster, a powered tailgate, a 12-speaker Bose sound system… the list genuinely goes on and on and on.

The same largely goes for the safety and technology suite. All 2022 Kia Sorento models carry a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating – based on testing in 2020 under the current tough assessment regime – and come loaded to the roof lining with active and passive safety features.

The list of acronyms denoting advanced driver assist systems is genuinely vast – AEB (autonomous emergency braking), MCB (multi collision braking), HBA (high beam assist), LKA (lane keeping assist), LCA (lane change assist), PCA (parking collision avoidance), DAA (driver attentional alert), just to name a few.

The GT-Line only adds to that expansiveness with a crisp 360-degree camera, blind spot view monitor (BVM) via the digital dash, electronic child safety lock and rear occupant alert.

Of these features, it’s the BVM in the instrument panel that’s the most obvious day-to-day on the basis it’s activated every time the indicators are deployed, and while the image is generally crisp and sharp, rain can render the system ineffective as the lenses become obscured. It’s a cool feature but definitely more of a novelty than essential.

Speaking of things that work better in theory, the Sorento’s adaptive cruise control (ACC) borders on being too jumpy and sometimes feels too quick to intervene when it detects a new vehicle merging in front or even crossing the flow of traffic.

The same can be said of the lane keep assist and lane centring systems which can feel overbearing and micromanaging in their swift and blunt course correction.

You can make alterations in the vehicle settings, but as we’ve found in a variety of other vehicles, these systems can sometimes encourage the driver to disengage them rather than embrace the technology.

And, really, we’re nit-picking a bit here, because the overall package in the Kia Sorento is hard to fault.

In terms of its powertrain, the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid is powered by the latest version of the Hyundai Motor Group’s 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which on its own develops 132kW of power and 265Nm of torque.

But here the pint-sized four-banger is also paired with a 44kW/264Nm electric motor to produce a total system output of 169kW/350Nm, drawing current from 1kWh lithium-ion polymer battery stashed under the boot floor.

Unlike other brands which pair their hybrid powertrains with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), Kia has fitted the Sorento HEV with a six-speed torque-converter automatic which ultimately helps the big seven-seater feel a bit more, well, normal when pottering around the suburbs.

A conventional automatic transmission helps increase the engagement factor for the driver, too, but outright performance isn’t the name of the game here.

Economy is also key, and on that front the Sorento HEV returns 5.8L/100km on the official combined cycle in the AWD version – or 5.3L/100km in the 2WD.

That compares to 6.1L/100km in the diesel-powered, AWD-only Sorento GT-Line, although consumption in urban areas – where family SUVs typically spend most of their time – is 7.4L/100km in the all-paw oil-burner compared to the AWD HEV’s 5.9L/100km.

The 2WD HEV is better again at 5.5L/100km – quite outstanding for a circa-two-tonne large wagon – although the full-time AWD model brings clear traction advantages and extra versatility afforded by its terrain management system which alters the torque split, throttle sensitivity and traction control parameters depending on the mode.

Our testing across a broad range of conditions returned 7.1L/100km when we handed the keys back to Kia.

The 2022 Kia Sorento GT-Line HEV AWD is a smooth operator around town, the electric motor delivering refined and instantaneous torque from a standing start and the transmission ensuring smooth progress, with none of the hesitancy of a dual-clutch auto or elasticity of a CVT.

The force-fed 1.6-litre petrol engine will rumble into life once underway if a bit more power is needed or if the battery is low on juice, but even then, the motor continues to deliver fuss-free pulling power and responsiveness for an ultimately smooth urban driving experience.

Unlike the PHEV version, the Sorento HEV doesn’t have a dedicated electric mode. Instead, it just switches between electric and petrol power of its own accord and for the most part it does a great job.

There were a couple of instances where we caught it out, such as when slowing down for a give-way sign in default Eco drive mode and then getting back on the power before coming to a stop. In that situation, there was a few seconds’ delay before the powertrain delivered a somewhat aggressive response to the throttle input.

Sport mode locks the engine and motor together, as well as the axles, to deliver maximum performance and grip, of which there’s plenty for such a big and heavy vehicle.

Twisty stretches of road are dealt with confidently and comfortably thanks to the reasonably firm but never brittle suspension tune and sticky Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres, and the same goes for loose surfaces.

As ever, the Sorento also remains one of the most comfortable and refined models in its class.

The 2022 Kia Sorento HEV AWD is a very appealing, if slightly pricey, proposition in comparison with other models in the range, and with few hybrid options in the large SUV segment, it stands as the one to beat.

Its most obvious rival is the Toyota Kluger Hybrid, and on that front it’s more affordable than the equivalent Grande AWD model (from $75,700), as well as better in overall driving performance and other areas including cabin presentation.

There are a couple of downsides with the Sorento Hybrid compared to the diesel-powered version, including a slightly lower braked towing capacity (1650kg v 2000kg) and shorter service intervals (10,000km v 15,000km, across 12 months).

It’s also few litres down on boot space (616L vs 608L), but there’s still plenty of room and loading up in the real world always comes back the items you need to carry.

Where the new Sorento Hybrid really shines is in its natural environment – the suburbs.

Indeed, for everyday practicality and in fulfilling the brief as a stylish, sophisticated and economical seven-seat family SUV that’s purpose-built for urban duties and always at the ready for longer runs, the Sorento HEV is a standout.

How much does the 2022 Kia Sorento GT-Line Hybrid AWD cost?
Price: $69,750 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol-electric
Output: 132kW/265Nm (electric motor: 44kW/264Nm)
Combined output: 169kW/350Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 133g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2020)