The new Kia Sorento already has a mild hybrid version coming up this fall (see video), and it will be getting a plug-in hybrid spec early next year. Let us review the differences.
The ‘mild’ Sorento packs a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine operating on gasoline and an electric motor integrated in the six-speed automatic transmission. The duo joins their efforts for 230 hp (172 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. The traction battery can only store 1.49 kilowatt-hours of power and is not rechargeable from a wall socket.
The new PHEV features identical gasoline engine and transmission, but its electric motor is more powerful at 91 hp (68 kW) and 304 Nm (224 lb-ft). The total output sums up to 265 hp (198 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft), making this Sorento spec the most powerful in Europe. The United States have a 2.5L turbo option rated at 281 hp (210 kW) and 421 Nm (314 lb-ft).
The rechargeable lithium-ion battery in the PHEV spec can store up to 13.8 kWh of power, but its range capacity hasn’t been announced yet.
The car has AWD by default, and customers can choose between five and seven seats. The new powertrain does not affect available interior space, but the trunk area becomes a dozen liters smaller.