2024 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid

The Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is a smaller 3-row midsize SUV with a gas engine and an electric motor. They work in parallel to deliver excellent fuel economy, and the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid can travel up to 32 miles on electricity alone. Although the price might seem steep at first glance, this PHEV is well-equipped with premium standard features like leather seats, second-row captain’s chairs, a Bose audio system, and the latest safety and infotainment tech. It also comes with the best warranty in its class for extra peace of mind.

The only other plug-in hybrid 3-row SUV in this class is the PHEV variant of the Mitsubishi Outlander. The Sorento also has non-hybrid and conventional hybrid variants, which are reviewed separately.

While the gas-only version of the Kia Sorento was significantly updated for 2024, the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions don’t get those upgrades until 2025.

Before buying a Sorento Plug-in Hybrid, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid resale value is about average for the segment.

The Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is powered by a 261-horsepower 4-cylinder turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrain matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. While it has more power than the regular Sorento Hybrid, acceleration figures are similar due to the added weight of the larger battery. But 0-60 mph in the mid-8-second range is quick enough for confident highway merging and passing.

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

A loaded interior is one of the strong suits of the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid. Kia offers it exclusively in the well-equipped SX Prestige trim, with amenities rivaling some luxury SUVs. This upscale cabin comes standard with premium features like leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, a Bose 12-speaker audio system, and the latest safety and infotainment tech features. For 2024, the Navy interior color scheme gains a gray headliner, replacing a black one.

Three-row seating for up to six people and second-row captain’s chairs come standard in the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid. Captain’s chairs make the second row more comfortable and the third row easier to access compared to a bench seat.

We found the interior space generous in the first two rows, with plenty of legroom and headroom. But the Sorento is smaller than most 3-row midsize SUV — including Kia’s own Telluride — and the third row is sized more for occasional use or just-in-case situations.

Cargo space is similarly limited when all three rows are in use. With the third row folded down, you get a generous cargo hold with 38.5 cubic feet of space. Behind the third row is 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space (versus 21 cubic feet in the Telluride).

The Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is a stylish SUV with a design that doesn’t make any special mention of the fuel efficiency humming away underneath. We’re big fans of what Kia is doing generally with its styling approach and find the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid does all the right aesthetic things.

Runway Red is dropped from the list of paint choices for 2024, while Gravity Blue is now available with the Navy interior.

Electric-only driving
With a full charge, the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is rated to run up to 32 miles on electricity alone (after which it switches to gas-electric hybrid operation). Drive less than 32 miles between charges and you might forget where you used to fill up.

Luxurious seating
The Sorento Plug-in Hybrid has standard leather seats that are heated and cooled in front. It also has heated second-row captain’s chairs, which make the second row more comfortable and the third row easier to access.

Kia Drive Wise
The standard Kia Drive Wise safety tech suite on every Sorento Plug-in Hybrid includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, navigation-based smart cruise control with curve assist, and more.

User-friendly infotainment system
The Sorento Plug-in Hybrid comes standard with a user-friendly and feature-rich infotainment system. Its large infotainment touchscreen provides Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation, SiriusXM, and a Bose audio system.

Smart Power Tailgate
The standard Smart Power Tailgate allows for hands-free opening and closing. This adds a lot of convenience to loading and unloading the cargo area.

Standard all-wheel drive
All-wheel drive is standard on every Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid, making it suitable for snowy climates.

This SUV’s turbocharged, plug-in hybrid powertrain comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD). How much money you save on fuel depends on how often your battery is fully charged. When the battery is depleted, the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid gets the same combined fuel economy rating as the conventional hybrid with all-wheel drive.

1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine + electric motor
261 horsepower
258 lb-ft of torque
All-electric range: 32 miles
EPA combined fuel economy: 34 mpg in hybrid mode, 79 MPGe in all-electric driving

Fuel Economy

According to EPA estimates at the time of writing, the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid has a monthly fuel cost of about $95 with gas and electricity combined. For comparison, the Sorento Hybrid with AWD costs $129/month to fuel, and the most efficient AWD-equipped, non-hybrid Sorento has a monthly fuel cost of $183.

While the real-world economy of plug-in hybrids can vary greatly according to the amount and frequency of driving, not to mention gas and electricity prices, it’s safe to say for most people the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid costs more to buy and operate than the lower-priced Sorento Hybrid. This is typical of all hybrid and plug-in hybrid pairings. Those bigger batteries aren’t cheap, and they can only save so much fuel in a given day. But fewer trips to the gas station, lower tailpipe emissions, and smooth EV driving are just a few benefits many buyers find worth paying for.

Class-Leading Warranty

The Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty that includes battery coverage.