Test Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid: Underappreciated Size
Man, has it grown up. The original Sorento was less than 4.6 meters long and visually oriented towards the Mercedes Benz ML or GLE. It also provided Kia with its first image boost. It has long since established itself visually from its former model, but has followed its growth into the upper mid-range of SUVs. The current Sorento is more visually oriented towards the even larger US-top-Kia-SUV Telluride, and there’s a hint of Ford Mustang in the tail lights. Clearly, the SUV, which is optionally available as a seven-seater in the upper mid-range, is primarily aimed at the US market – but it’s also tuned for Europe as a diesel and plug-in hybrid.
We get in and realize: Kia has also designed the interior of the Sorento somewhat towards US tastes – but has (so far) refrained from too many touch and swipe functions: Climate control and driving programs are still controlled via buttons or toggle switches, infotainment and vehicle information are accessed and controlled via the screen. Kia is also continuously working on expanding and improving its own services, which run under "Kia Live," including free map updates for seven years. Additional functions include remote unlocking via smartphone, as well as route and charging planning.
Up to five adults can comfortably sit in the first two rows, while the fold-out third row is more of an emergency seat-row: If 1.8-meter-tall passengers want to sit here, the second row would have to move quite a bit forward – especially as access to the very back is easier for children and very flexible people than for tall passengers. But with the sliding and split-folding second row, the Sorento offers enough flexibility and spaciousness despite the battery in the underbody: The gap to the Mercedes-Benz GLE and co. is negligible – even in terms of haptics and equipment, the gap is not too large.
At just under 2.2 tons, the Kia is one of the "light" large plug-in SUVs.
Which is evident in price, weight, and driving feel: Despite everything, the Sorento feels more like a nimble mid-range SUV and maintains a respectful distance from the fortresses of Audi, BMW, or Mercedes. Though the “lightness” is relative, as with an 80-kilogram driver, the Sorento Plug-in already weighs 2,169 kilograms, which is still about half a ton(!) lighter than the BMW X5 45e or the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 e 4 Matic. The Sorento's battery alone weighs 139 kilograms.
This is also due to the fact that the Sorento is modest with a comparatively compact 1.6-liter turbo gasoline engine, which together with the electric motor generates a respectable 350 Nm of system torque – which are indeed values more typical of the mid- than the upper class, especially since the diesel offers 440 Nm from 1,750 rpm. It doesn’t quite deliver the rich sovereignty of premium SUVs but, objectively, it still offers more than enough power. One genuine drawback for some might be the towing capacity, which is limited to 1,500 kilograms braked for the plug-in, whereas the diesel can tow 2.5 tons. This partial “lightness of being” also has its advantages: In terms of fuel consumption, the Kia is also somewhat cheaper and at a good 4.9 l/100 km plus 8.8 kWh/100 km it stays noticeably beneath the premium gasoline models – although it falls behind the GLE 350 de when it comes to fuel consumption due to its smaller battery, which has a gross capacity of 13.8 kWh, compared to the GLE's 4.3l/100 km. However, the latter also pulled 15.5 kWh/100 km from its battery.
A lot of space – but comparatively low costs
In terms of price, maintenance costs, and warranty, the Kia leaves the large premium plug-ins far behind: While premium models can cost a hefty 80 ct/km all-in leasing, the Sorento Plug-in runs at 0.63 euros per kilometer. On our test round, its battery allowed us a generous 61 kilometers of pure electric range, so the combustion engine only came into play on the highway – enough for many commutes. The remaining range is also interesting: Directly after entering the highway, the Kia showed 15 percent battery capacity but zero kilometers of range. The battery dwindled from two percent by the end of the test, so the drive added an average of 4 kWh/100 km on the highway segment to temper fuel consumption. But the general wisdom here remains that the Sorento should ideally always be plugged in, because on the highway, consumption under 8.0l/100 km is unlikely, and in a hurry, it can quickly reach double figures – it’s a big gasoline SUV, after all. In the city, it was very economical for its size and weight, and on quick country roads.
Nevertheless, we were positively surprised and somewhat puzzled at the end by how much image can make a difference: Because if you are looking for space and utility along with decent off-road capability, you would hardly be worse off with the Sorento objectively speaking than with the GLE and the like – yet the Kia sells by far not as well as the significantly more expensive and heavier market leaders. In terms of price, it is moving strongly towards these: Unfortunately, Kia has currently removed the diesel and plug-in from the program (the plug-in started as Vision in 2021 at a net price of 46,168.07 euros before the environmental bonus (which is 54,940.00 euros gross), the Spirit at 49,529.41 euros (which is 58,940.00 euros net), and the fully equipped Platinum at 52,890.76 euros net, which is 62,940.00 euros gross. That is about 5,590 euros net (6,650 euros gross) more than the all-wheel-drive diesel cost. Currently (as of February 2023), there is only the mild hybrid petrol engine, which starts at 43,185 euros net (which is 51,390 euros gross).
It is recommended to sign up for "Kia Charge": according to Kia, it offers 98% network coverage at fixed prices nationwide in Germany. The card and app provide access to more than 360,000 publicly accessible charging points throughout Europe. Kia states that a 15 to 95% charge with 3.3 kW takes 205 minutes – it would be nicer to have the option to charge three-phase with 11 kW - then the plug-in would be fully charged again in just under 1.5 hours. Kia also offers a seven-year warranty on the battery: quality and craftsmanship have always been mature!
Technical Data:
Four-cylinder diesel engine + permanently excited synchronous machine, 1,598 cm3, system output 195 kW (265 hp), 350 Nm/1,750-2,500 rpm, LxWxH: 4,810x2170 (with mirrors) x1,700 mm, wheelbase: 2,815 mm, 47-l tank, 175-1,988 l trunk, curb weight (fully fueled, including 80-kg driver): 2,169 kg
Measurements:
Elasticity 50-80/80-120 km/h: 3.2/5.6 sec., acceleration 0-60/0-80/0-100 km/h: 4.6/6.4/9.2 sec.
Noise at 30/50/60/80/100/120 km/h: 48.6/50.5/52.4/55.1/57.1/59.9 dB(A)
Test Round Consumption (159.0 km): City: 16.9 kWh/100 km Country: 17.0 kWh/100 km Highway: 8.1 l + 4.6 kWh/100 km, Total: 4.9 l + 8.8 kWh/100 km
Cost: 0.63 euros/km
What does this mean?
The Sorento Plug-in is an alternative for commuters who occasionally drive long distances, need a lot of space, want an SUV with two emergency seats, and do not have to tow heavy trailers. It is cleverly positioned between the vast selection of mid-range SUVs and the premium offerings of the upper mid-range SUVs.
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