Kia Sorento PHEV delayed for MY22 update
Plug-in hybrid and regular hybrid powertrains due in third quarter as Sorento prices head northThe Australian launch of hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the 2021 Kia Sorento have been delayed until the third quarter of this year to coincide with an MY22 model year update.
Originally scheduled to launch early in 2021, the electrified versions of the new-generation Kia Sorento – the Korean brand’s impressive large SUV that was recently named the 2020 carsales Car of the Year – will now launch side-by-side between July and September, Kia has advised.
A spokesperson told carsales the company decided to wait for the MY22 Kia Sorento before launching the hybrid powertrains, with both set to wear the new Kia badge when they arrive.
Apart from minor cosmetic details and the addition of the hybrid powertrains, there will be no other significant updates to the broader Kia Sorento range, the spokesperson said.
The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) will become the flagship of the range – and a beacon for the entire brand – when it arrives, crowning the model line-up that recently increased in price by $1000 across the board to now start from $46,850 plus on-road costs for the petrol S, topping out at $64,070 plus ORCs for the diesel GT-Line.
See the pricing table below for full details.
Figures recently released in Europe and Korea also provide further specification details for the Kia Sorento PHEV, which will offer a pure-electric driving range of up to 70km (WLTP) in city driving or 57km over the combined cycle.
Combining a 1.6-litre petrol engine (132kW/265Nm) with a 67kW electric motor and 13.8kWh lithium-ion battery for a combined output of 169kW/350Nm, the Kia Sorento PHEV drives all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
It produces 38g/km of CO2 (WLTP), while recharging a depleted battery to 100 per cent takes just over five hours when using a household plug, down to 3.25 hours with a 3.3kW fast charger.
Maximum braked towing capacity of 1500kg is 500kg down on the petrol and diesel models’ 2000kg.
Compared to its diesel-powered sibling, which takes 9.1 seconds to reach triple digits, the Sorento PHEV can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.4sec, with 80-100km/h dispatched in 5.7sec.
The regular hybrid also uses the same 1.6-litre T-GDi engine and six-speed auto as the PHEV, combined with a 44.2kW electric motor and 1.49kW lithium-ion polymer battery pack.
It can return fuel economy of 6.9L/100km and CO2 emissions of 158g/km, and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.7sec. Maximum towing capacity is listed at 1650kg.
This is higher than the 2.2-litre diesel (148kW/440Nm), which based on Australian ADR figures returns 6.1L/100km. The 3.5-litre petrol V6 manages 9.7L/100km.
How much does the 2021 Kia Sorento cost?
Petrol
S – $46,850 (+$1000)
Sport – $49,470 (+$1000)
Sport+ – $53,850 (+$1000)
GT-Line – $61,070 (+$1000)
Diesel
S – $49,850 (+$1000)
Sport – $52,470 (+$1000)
Sport+ – $56,850 (+$1000)
GT-Line – $64,070 (+$1000)
* Prices exclude on-road costs
Related: Kia Sorento is the 2020 carsales Car of the Year
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