2025 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid

For buyers who don’t quite need all the space of a typical midsize SUV like the Kia Telluride but would really like to do the everyday commute using just electric power, then here’s something interesting. The 2025 Sorento Plug-Iin Hybrid has more electric power and a bigger battery than its regular hybrid stablemate, giving it the ability to make short trips without bringing its combustion engine into action. Plug it in every night to keep the battery topped off; drivers will only require gasoline for longer jaunts.

We mention space above because the Sorento is on the small side for a midsize SUV. With a pair of comfortable captain’s chairs in the second row, it can take six occupants, preferably with smaller family members in the third row. We think it’s yet another fine Kia SUV, and the plug-in hybrid drivetrain makes it a more individual choice. This fourth generation debuted for 2021 and has won many fans, as our owner reviews attest.

The non-hybrid 2025 Kia Sorento is reviewed separately. The same goes for the 2025 Sorento Hybrid that doesn’t come with the plug-in feature.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of plug-in hybrid SUVs, including the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The EX trim is a fresh variant coming in at the entry-level, and the erstwhile SX trim moves further upmarket to become the SX Prestige. Revised styling at both ends echoes the changes made on the non-hybrid Sorento for 2024. Technology sees a few upgrades, including a twin-screen dashboard unit in the top SX Prestige trim. And Kia has made more color choices available.

The closest rivals to the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid are the smaller Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (starting in the low $40K bracket) and the larger Mazda CX-90 PHEV, starting in the low $50K region. The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is priced from around $60K, and the regular Sorento Hybrid starts at around $40K.

Before buying a new Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are about average. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is propelled by a 261-horsepower hybrid setup employing a 6-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Although it has a bit more muscle than the regular Sorento Hybrid (34 more horses, same torque), acceleration is similar due to the weight of the larger battery. Even so, zipping from a standstill to 60 mph in about 8.6 seconds is quick enough for confident highway merging and passing. And in our experience, it feels lively from behind the wheel. Should potential buyers think they need more thrust, the Mazda CX-90 PHEV develops 323 hp and hits 60 mph at least two seconds sooner.

In electric driving, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid accelerates smoothly and quietly. In hybrid mode, power delivery and braking feel aren’t quite as steady and seamless as we’ve experienced in the 2-row Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, but that’s a high bar. Overall, we’ve found the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid responsive around town and comfortable on the highway.

Fuel Economy

The thing about plug-in hybrids is that they can travel a useful distance on battery power alone. It’s like having an electric vehicle and a gasoline vehicle in one. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can run for 32 miles using just electrons. When the battery is depleted, it achieves virtually the same fuel economy as the regular hybrid with all-wheel drive: 34 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

This aspect is where the Mazda CX-90 PHEV loses ground to its Kia rival. Maximum battery range is 25 miles and then it’s running at 25 mpg combined.

The real-world economy of plug-in hybrids can vary greatly according to how much they’re driven and in what conditions. Then, there are gasoline and electricity prices to factor in. It’s safe to say that the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid costs more to buy and operate than the lower-priced Sorento Hybrid. This contrast is typical of hybrid/plug-in hybrid comparisons. Those bigger batteries aren’t cheap and can only save so much fuel. For some buyers, though, the benefits of fewer trips to gas stations, lower tailpipe emissions, and smooth EV driving are worth the extra outlay.

We like the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s generally pleasant cabin, with its fine materials and well-placed controls. The simulated leather seating surfaces in the EX feel sufficiently premium, while the higher SX Prestige trim offers genuine leather.

For 2025, Kia has redesigned the dashboard, adding a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard in the EX. The SX Prestige brings a dual 12.3-inch setup in a single, curved unit, the other screen serving as a digital instrument cluster. This kind of technology has trickled down from luxury makers like Mercedes-Benz. Dust Blue is a new interior color this year.

Thanks to a couple of second-row captain’s chairs as standard, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has seating for up to six. Captain’s chairs are more comfortable than a 3-position bench seat, making the third row much more accessible.

Passenger space is generous in the first two rows, with plenty of legroom and headroom. The third row is a kids-only zone, though, with just 29.6 inches of legroom.

Cargo space is tight when all three rows are in place, only 12.6 cubic feet behind the rearmost seats. This area opens out to 38.5 cubic feet behind row two when folded. With rows two and three down, there’s an ample 75.5 cubic feet. These dimensions are the same as the non-hybrid Sorento, so there’s no compromise here.

For comparison, even though the Mazda CX-90 PHEV is more representative of a typical midsize SUV and can seat up to eight (captain’s chairs cost extra), it doesn’t outdo the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s passenger and cargo space by much.

New headlights complement the 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s sharply contemporary but attractively rugged look. They’re now vertical instead of horizontal, flank a restyled grille, and feature Kia’s “Star Map” lighting elements, as found in the EV9 and the upcoming EV3 all-electric SUVs. Kia narrowed the taillights at the back and connected them with a thin light bar. Lengthwise, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is about seven inches shorter than the Kia Telluride, which is more the norm among midsize 3-row SUVs.

We think the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SUV is stylish, with a design that doesn’t proclaim its hybrid-ness. It’s virtually indistinguishable from the non-hybrid Sorento, which received these styling updates last year. New colors this year are Cityscape Green, Mineral Blue, Interstellar Grey, and Volcanic Sand.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Cable-free phone integration is standard in both Sorento Plug-In Hybrid trims, and we love the convenience and tidiness. Wireless charging is also on board.

Smart Power Tailgate
Imagine walking up to your locked Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, hands full of shopping, kids, trombones, whatever. Stand by the smart tailgate for three seconds (while having the key in a pocket or purse) and it will open automatically, then close with the touch of a button. It’s a standard item; again, we’re all for making life easier.

All-wheel drive
It’s a standard feature in both 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid trims, providing confidence in slippery conditions.

Smart Cruise Control – Machine Learning
More than just adaptive cruise control, machine learning means it can adapt to driving styles and emulate them.

Highway Driving Assist 2
Installed in the SX Prestige trim, this helps alleviate the fatigue of long freeway stretches by keeping the Sorento Hybrid in its lane, maintaining a safe distance to the vehicle in front, and assisting with lane-changing maneuvers. A less sophisticated version is available in the EX trim. We’ve used this function in many Kia/Hyundai/Genesis vehicles and have always been impressed by how well it works.

Blind-Spot View Monitor
Another SX Prestige feature shows real-time video in the driver information display, with more detail than regular blind-spot monitoring can convey. In our opinion, greater awareness of surroundings can only be good.

The 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid employs a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and two electric motors to create an ample 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This thrust goes through a 6-speed automatic transmission to a standard all-wheel-drive system.

Class-Leading 5-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

Kia has some of the best warranties. Bumper-to-bumper coverage is five years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first, including roadside assistance. Powertrains are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The Kia Sorento has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), the agency’s second-highest accolade. It also scored four stars out of a possible five from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection, plus junction turning assistance.