Kia refreshed the gas-only Sorento for the 2024 model year and is applying the same updates to the hybrid and plug-in hybrid for 2025.
The PHEV now has a larger grille bordered by sharp LED daytime running light spears. A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is included on the range-topping SX Prestige trim level. The upgraded display is powered by Kia’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit operating system, which can accept over-the-air software updates.
The Sorento PHEV’s powertrain is unchanged for 2025. It pairs a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 261 hp and 258 pounds-feet of torque. That’s backed by a six-speed automatic transmission. While other Sorentos are available in FWD or AWD, the PHEV is only offered with AWD.
A 13.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack provides an EPA-estimated electric-only range of 32 miles for the 2024 Sorento PHEV, and once the gas engine fires up, the EPA rates the Sorento PHEV at 34 mpg combined.
The 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid will go on sale later this year. The base EX trim starts at $49,365 and the SX Prestige at $54,465 (all prices include $1,375 destination).
For context, the gas-only AWD Sorento EX starts at $43,065 for 2024. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder generates 281 hp and 311 pounds-feet of torque and nets an EPA-rated 20/27/23 mpg city/highway/combined. In the AWD SX-Prestige trim, the 2024 Sorento starts at $47,765.
The AWD 2025 Sorento EX hybrid is priced from $41,865, and the AWD SX Prestige hybrid stickers at $48,265. It’s more poky than the non-hybrid variant, with its turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder making 227 hp and 258 pounds-feet with the help of an electric motor. On the upside, the hybrid manages an even 34/34/34 mpg.
Standard safety tech on the 2025 Sorento PHEV includes forward collision warning with pedestrian and bicyclist detection and automatic emergency braking, intersection collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, a driver attention monitor, automatic high beams, and front and rear parking sensors.
The EX rides on 19-inch wheels and features standard LED front lighting, automatic headlights, and keyless entry and start. Interior features include synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging and six speakers.
Stepping up to the SX-Prestige (which Kia abbreviates SX-P) nets buyers LED taillights, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a panoramic moonroof. Inside, the SX-P adds real leather upholstery, upgraded front seats with ventilation, heated rear seats and steering wheel, a 12-speaker Bose audio system and Kia’s Digital Key 2.0 Advanced, which allows owners to use paired smartphones as vehicle keys. The SX-P also gains additional safety equipment, such as enhanced intersection collision avoidance, blind spot cameras with collision avoidance assist, emergency steering assist, a 360-degree parking camera system and the hands-on semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist 2 system, which features automatic lane changes.
