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Kia Sorento Hybrid GT-Line FWD 2022 Review

Kia Sorento Hybrid front

Kia Sorento Hybrid – For the second time in as many weeks I have driven to Melbourne and back. This time in a HEV KIA Sorento.

Kia now has four different powertrains for the Sorento, diesel, petrol, hybrid electric and plug in hybrid electric.

Now I have taken many a long trip over the years in the Kia Sorento, It’s an excellent long distance cruiser, but this was the first in a hybrid and I was curious to see how it went.

 TO LISTEN TO THE Sorento Hybrid RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

https://www.ozroamer.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/BTW-3839-Sept-9.mp3?_=1

This particular vehicle was a front wheel drive version and as usual for KIA they packed a heap of luxury, comfort and safety features in there. I especially appreciated the heated electric seats with additional lumbar support as the trip was cold and wet and long.

Sorento Hybrid is powered by a 1.6l petrol engine that produces 132kW and 265Nm from 1600rpm. The electric motor adds another 44kW and interestingly 264Nm from 0-1500rpm. That’s instantaneous torque.

The beauty of hybrid engines is that there is no range anxiety, they drive like a normal petrol engine but with better economy. We ran at around 7.9l/100k over the trip which was ok. However long distance trips don’t showcase the hybrids qualities best.

Priced from $66,750 the Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line is good value as a family SUV

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Rob Fraser

What is good?

What is not so good?

  • Interior comfort and features
  • Excellent family cruiser
  • Ride and handling

Some Other Sorento Articles

Also Look At

Model   

Kia Sorento Hybrid (HEV) GT Line FWD

Model Price $66,750 MLP*
Engine 1.6L 4 Cyl Hybrid Turbo Petrol
Drivetrain FWD 8 Sp AT
Power 132kW @ 5,500rpm
Torque 265Nm @ 1,500-4,500rpm
Safety 5 Star ANCAP (Tested Aug 2020)
CO2 Emissions 121 g/km Euro 5
Economy ADR/ Capacity 5.5L/100km / 7.5L/100K on test / 67L
0-100kmh/Top Speed N/A
Servicing 12 Mths / 10,000km Capped Price (7 years)
Warranty 7yr/ Unlimited km with 7 Yr. conditional roadside assist

*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)

Overall Rating    

87/100

Behind the Wheel 9
Comfort 9
Equipment 9
Performance 8
Ride and Handling 9
Practicality 9
Fit for Purpose 9
Style / Design 9
Technology / connectivity 8
Value for Money 8

Dimensions

 
Overall Length 4810mm
Wheelbase 2815mm
Width / Height 1900mm / 1700mm
Unladen ground clearance / wading depth Up to 176 mm / N/A
Approach / RO / Departure N/A
Fuel Tank  / Turning Circle 67 Litres / 11.6mts KTK
Boot Space Min / Max 179L / 1996L
Kerb Weight /  GVM / GCM / Payload 1,883kg / 2,580kg / 4230kg / 630kg
Towing Capacity / Tow Ball rating 1650kg / 100kg

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Kia Sorento Hybrid (HEV) Model Details

Released in April 2022, the Hybrid (HEV) GT-Line FWD and AWD has joined the Sorento range locally. This addition sees Sorento as the only vehicle available in Australia to offer naturally aspirated petrol, diesel, PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) and HEV variants.

“Sorento already provided one of the most versatile, practical and spacious large SUVs on the market and now in an industry first, it also offers Australian buyers the most diverse powertrain lineup to choose from within a model range,” said Kia’s Chief Operating Officer, Damien Meredith.

“The addition of PHEV and HEV options to the popular Sorento range is another example of Kia’s progress in vehicle electrification. Along with the recently launched and award winning EV6, and the next-generation Niro range of electric vehicles arriving in the very near future, Kia Australia is offering a variety of choices in its contribution to a greener future.”

 Sorento Hybrid engine details

The Sorento Parallel Hybrid System is comprised of a Smartstream 1.6 litre turbo petrol engine offering optimal fuel efficiency with impressive power (132kW) and torque (265Nm). 

An electric motor producing 44kW and 264Nm of torque is mounted between the petrol engine and transmission.  This arrangement allows the full output of both the petrol engine and/or electric motor to be transferred in parallel through the transmission, with minimal energy loss.

Combined Petrol + Electric output is 169kW and 350Nm.

Combined Fuel Consumption is 5.3L/100km (FWD) and 5.8L/100km (AWD) respectively on the ADR 81/02 combined fuel cycle.Energy storage is managed by a high voltage 1kWh Lithium-Ion polymer battery located under the vehicle floor.

Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Sorento HEV FWD and AWD are available in GT-line specification only and offer a wide array of safety, comfort and convenience features, including an intelligently designed, customisable 12.3” Driver Digital Cluster providing the status of the hybrid charging system. Its high-resolution screen makes it easy to read with a wealth of information at a glance.

 Sorento Hybrid Features

Designed to improve visibility for blind spots, the Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM) uses the side cameras so that when you indicate left or right, the cluster will show the view of the road in your blind spot.

The 10.25” Audio Visual Navigation unit displays charging station locations and information.  The screen can be split in two for easy access to different apps, vehicle information and multimedia content, and allows the control of the 12-speaker BOSE® premium surround system, which is compatible with wired Android AutoTM and Apple CarPlayTM.

Features
HEVGT-LINE

FWD & AWD

 

(1.6 T-GDI Smartstream with 6AT)

  • 19” Alloy Wheels (Machine Finish) with Full Size Spare
  • 12.3” Driver Digital Instrument Cluster
  • Blind Spot View Monitor
  • Shift-by-wire Knob (Dial-type)
  • Quilted Nappa Leather Appointed Seats
  • Interior Mood Lighting
  • BOSE® Premium Sound Systems (12 Speakers)
  • 8” Colour Head Up Display
  • 360°Camera View
  • Smart Remote Engine-Start
  • Parking Collision Avoidance Assist
  • Panoramic Sunroof
  • Fast Wireless Smartphone Charger
  • Heated 1st/2nd Row Seats
  • Ventilated 1st Row Seats
  • 14-way Driver’s Power Adjustable (including 4-way Lumbar Support) with Integrated Memory Seat
  • 10-way Front Passenger’s Power Adjustable Seat (including 2-way Lumbar Support)
  • Rear Occupant Alert
  • Sunshade Blinds (2nd Row)
  • Passenger Talk In-Car Intercom

 Kia Sorento Range Pricing

Body Style Trim RRP* Drive Away*
Diesel AWD S $50,650 $53,790
Sport $53,270 $56,790
Sport+ $57,850 $61,390
GT-Line $65,070 $68,990
Petrol FWD S $47,650 $50,790
Sport $50,270 $53,790
Sport+ $54,850 $58,390
GT-Line $62,070 $65,990
PHEV AWD GT-Line $80,330 N/A**
HEV FWD GT-Line $66,750 N/A**
HEV AWD GT-Line $69,750 N/A**

*MLP (RRP) Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)

**Due to the complexity of drive away pricing which varies state by state, particularly when it comes to electric vehicles, national drive away pricing is not available on Sorento HEV and PHEV variants. A drive away price estimation, calculated by state, is available on the Kia website.

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