The 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid received the same update bestowed on the standard Sorento last year. It has a new look, updated technology, and the same powertrain.
| What’s Good: Fantastic second row, plenty of room for adults and lots of amenities, too. Even better up front. Good balance between ride and handling. | What Could Improve: Transmission takes its time to kick down for passing duties. Would offer excellent cargo space, were it a two-row crossover SUV. | My Conclusion: Efficient, quiet, good-looking, and competent in every way. The updated Kia Sorento swallows lots of stuff or people, but not at the same time. |
OVERVIEW
After updating the standard Kia Sorento for 2024, Kia gave this hybrid version the same treatment for 2025. It takes the inherently good shape of the fourth-generation crossover, which first arrived in 2021, and “Telluride-ifies” it. You see it with the large, more rectangular grille and the vertically stacked headlights. You see similar, but more subtle changes at the rear.
Kia also modernized the interior—with screens aplenty—and threw in quite a few luxuries if you go with the SX-Prestige trim. If you go hybrid, Kia also offers the EX trim. But you need to head toward standard internal combustion engine propulsion to see more options than that. Otherwise, Kia largely left the Sorento hybrid alone, including its powertrain.
Powertrain
Under the hood lies a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four-cylinder engine. It’s connected to an electric motor and six-speed automatic transmission. Altogether, you get 227 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft of torque at your right foot’s disposal. If you go with the EX trim, you choose between that power headed to the front or all four wheels. In the SX Prestige, its standard all-wheel-drive.
When it comes to horsepower, most of the work comes from combustion. At its peak, the engine provides 177 of the 227-horsepower total. But the electric motor and ICE both contribute the same 195 lb.-ft of torque at their respective peaks. How those peaks align is what provides the 258 lb.-ft total. Respectable for a vehicle this size. The electric motor makes 59 horsepower at its peak, by the way.
Electricity comes courtesy of a 1.5 kWh, lithium-ion battery pack. When charged enough, the ICE will shut down entirely and leave all the work to the motor, even at interstate speeds. Of course, the two work together much of the time and interact smoothly for one largely seamless experience.
motoring along
I say largely because when you need to make a quick pass on a two-lane road, or briskly get away from a stop light, the electric motor starts the process before the engine kicks on and helps out a moment later. That results in a two-phase surge in acceleration. Not always smooth. Furthermore, the six-speed automatic takes its sweet time to kick down a couple gears to help the engine out. Once everything transitions, however, the Sorento hybrid pulls strong.
Going hybrid certainly improves fuel economy as well. According to the EPA, you get 34 mpg in the city, and on the highway, and, of course, combined. If you get a front-wheel-drive version that improves to 36 mpg across the board. Bear in mind, that is speed and conditions sensitive. In a fuel economy test on the highway, I saw under 30 mpg while traveling at 75 mph. To be fair, it was cold.
Chassis
Kia built a solid structure for the fourth-generation Sorento and this update feels incrementally improved upon that. You get the quite common strut suspension geometry up front and multi-link in the rear. It is a four-wheel independent setup. And engineers found a good compromise between ride and handling.
The Sorento swallows up all the usual imperfections in the road just fine and only leans over moderately in the corners. Families will not have the Sorento to blame for nauseous kids.
And Kia threw in the usual suite of driving aids. It’s called Drive Wise. It includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and blind spot tech. Furthermore, a system called Highway Drive Assist 2 puts it all together to help track the Sorento down the center of the lane and ensure there’s an opening for lane changes, etc. It works well.
Details and Inside
The folks in the front will look at two 12.3-in screens, one for the digital instrument cluster, the other for the center display. The latter includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android auto phone connectivity and comes standard on all hybrids. In the EX Sorento hybrid, you instead get analog gauges on a 4.3-in screen in the center. Just like the second row, the first feels spacious and comfortable.
Going with the SX-Prestige Sorento means you get a decked-out crossover. It starts with heated and ventilated seats in the front row, along with a heated steering wheel for the driver. The second row also enjoys heated seats, as well as sun shades and usb ports to use. Every seat is upholstered in leather and the headliner is adorned in suede. You also get an A/C plug to use and a Bose premium audio system to listen to.
All Sorento hybrids get second-row captain’s chairs, which provide plenty of space and comfort for adults. Two thumbs up. The third row, on the other hand, provides comfort for small children only. It’s tight and cramped and low to the ground. My knees hurt just writing about it. Kia built a great two-row crossover SUV with a third-row for emergencies.
That carries over for cargo space as well, with only 13 cubic feet behind the third row. Fold it down and then number jumps to 45 cubic feet and comfortable seating for four. Drop the second row as well and the Sorento hybrid will swallow 75 cubic feet worth of stuff.
in conclusion
Kia injected Telluride styling across its entire SUV and, indeed, minivan line-up, with mixed results. The latest Carnival doesn’t fit the Telluride styling, in my opinion. But the Sorento takes the Telluride shape well, looking much like an aspiring younger brother with lots of potential in its own right.
Kia also appointed it quite well. The SX-Prestige Sorento hybrid costs a pretty penny, nearly $50k as tested, but its chockablock with luxury items for the price, which allows Kia to continue to argue it offers more for less, but with a twist.
I, for one, wish the Sorento ditched the third-row altogether and provided even more space for us to use. Because, otherwise, they built a great, efficient compact crossover.
And it’s also one I reviewed for Gear Junkie, where I spent more time comparing it to its non-hybrid brother. You can read that here.
COMPETITORS
Mitsubishi Outlander
Toyota Highlander
Volkswagen Tiguan
SPECIFICATIONS
2025 Kia Sorrento Hybrid SX-Prestige AWD: 5-door, 6-seat, crossover SUV
Base price: $48,265 (includes $1375 destination charge)
Price as Tested: $49,090
Powertrain: turbocharged 1.6-liter I-4 Hybrid
Engine Peak Power: 177 horsepower at 5500 rpm
Engine Peak Torque: 195 lb.-ft between 1500 – 4500 rpm
Elec Motor Peak Power: 59 horsepower between 1600 – 2000 rpm
Elec Motor Torque: 195 lb.-ft between 0 – 1600 rpm
Total System Peak Power: 227 horsepower
Total System Torque: 258 lb.-ft
Transmission: six-speed automatic transmission
Drive: all-wheel-drive
Fuel Economy in MPG and range
34 city
34 highway
34 combined
Driving range: 602 miles
Dimensions
Length: 189.6 inches
Width: 74.8 inches
Height: 66.7 inches
Wheelbase: 110.8 inches
Weights and Capacities
Curb weight: 4394 lbs.
Interior volume: NA cu ft
Cargo volume (behind 3rd/2nd/1st rows): 13/45/75 cu ft
Calculated weight to power (lbs./HP): 19.4:1
Mfr’s claimed 0-62 mph: 9.1 seconds
Mfr’s claimed Top Speed: 120 mph
Government classified size: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Options: Dust Blue interior color package, $295; carpeted floor mats, $225; cargo cover, $190; carpet cargo mat, $115
