Kia Sorento PHEV and hybrid range expands, prices drop
But the cheapest V6 petrol Sorento family SUV is set to be axed as emissions regulations biteThe News
Around $15,000 has been hacked off the price of entry to the Kia Sorento 2025 line-up of plug in and plugless hybrids.
The Key Details
- Hybrid and plug-in hybrid Sorento powertrain now offered with every trim level
- Previously restricted to top-spec GT-Line
- Cheapest hybrid is the S FWD, priced at $56,380 plus on-road costs
- Cheapest PHEV is the S AWD, priced at $70,880 plus on-road costs
- V6 petrol likely to be axed, meaning price of entry to the range will rise
The Finer Details
The popular Kia Sorento family SUV now has a dramatically expanded line-up of petrol-electric PHEV and hybrid models in its line-up.
Electrification was previously restricted to the top-spec GT-Line, but both hybridised powertrains are now offered in S, Sport and Sport+ as well, alongside the orthodox 3.5-litre V6 petrol and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine choices.
In the case of the hybrid they come in a choice of front- and all-wheel drive while PHEVs continue as all-wheel drive only.
The expanded line-up delivers the popular Sorento fresh ammunition to fight the all-hybrid Toyota Kluger, in-house rival the Hyundai Santa Fe and new Chinese electric seven seat PHEVs including the Chery Tiggo 8 and BYD Sealion 8.
The cheapest Hybrid is the $56,380 Kia Sorento S FWD, making it $14,910 cheaper than the GT-Line Hybrid. Across the range, AWD hybrids incur a $3000 premium.
The cheapest PHEV is the $70,880 Kia Sorento S, $15,910 cheaper than the GT-Line flagship.
Despite being carryover, the electrified GT-Lines have incurred price rises from just under $1000 to just over $2000.
It is understood the equipment levels of all electrified models reflect their Existing Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) equivalents.
All these new models are coming as Kia Australia adjusts its model line-ups to comply with the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) CO2 reduction scheme introduced in July.
The Kia Sorento PHEV comprises a 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine combined with 67kW/304Nm electric motor for a combined 195kW/350Nm output.
Add in a 14kWh lithium-ion battery pack and the Sorento PHEV is claimed to have a 68km EV range New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The fuel consumption claim is a highly theoretical 1.6L/100km.
The hybrid takes the same engine and combines it with a 44kW/264Nm e-motor for a combined 169kW/350Nm. The battery pack measures up at 1kWh.
The claimed fuel consumption is 5.4L/100km for the FWD and 5.7L/100km for the AWD.
The Road Ahead
The electrified Sorento expansion is expected to come at the cost of the petrol V6 Sorento, which is given a particularly tough time by the NVES regulator.
The V6, which is only offered in front-wheel drive is the cheapest Sorento powertrain, starting at $51,380 plus ORCs for the Sorento S petrol model.
Its departure will mean the $54,380 Sorento S diesel AWD will become the cheapest Sorento.
How much does the Kia Sorento 2025 Hybrid and PHEV cost?
S Hybrid FWD – $56,380
S Hybrid AWD – $59,380
Sport Hybrid FWD – $59,000
Sport Hybrid AWD – $62,000
Sport+ Hybrid FWD – $63,930
Sport+ Hybrid AWD – $66,930
GT-Line Hybrid FWD – $71,290
GT-Line Hybrid AWD – $74,290
S PHEV – $70,880
Sport PHEV – $73,500
Sport+ PHEV – $78,430
GT-Line is PHEV – $86,790
*Prices exclude on-road costs
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