The 2023 Kia Sorento comes in both a Hybrid or a PHEV - which is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Standard Hybrid vehicles have a small battery that is charged through regenerative braking and the internal combustion engine. PHEV vehicles use both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Both Sorentos are midsize SUVs that seats up to 7 people total in 3 rows. The standard trim might be just right for you, because of the strong start in standard features. The 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV has come out with new features over the previous year, worthy of looking into!

Standard Features

The standard trim comes with all-wheel drive, a power liftgate, an expansive set of safety features, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The touch screen includes:

• Android Auto
• Apple CarPlay
• Sirius XM
• Navigation

The safety features are:

• Forward collision-avoidance assist
• Navigation-based smart cruise control & highway driving assist
• Safe exit assist

Edmunds Review

Edmunds is a reliable company. For car appraisals and pricing, Edmunds is trusted and considered a tried-and-true industry standard alongside Kelley Blue Book and NADA. They test all types of vehicles and write reviews without any biases for people to access. Edmunds found the Hybrid to take 7.9 seconds to reach 60 mph. A smooth power train with no abrupt shifts from the transmission is something they were pleased with. When the engine starts there is no juddering and the brakes were found to be reliable. On Edmunds’ best panic stop test, the hybrid went 123 feet in 60 to 0 mph. The handling of the car they found to be impressive and will drive with ease.

Fuel Economy

Kia provides the Sorento with two distinct powertrain options. One is a hybrid variant, boasting a 227-horsepower engine, delivering an EPA-estimated 37 miles per gallon combined. The other is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) configuration with a 261-horsepower engine, offering an estimated 32 miles of battery-electric driving range.

Storage

With the third row of seats up, there are 12.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Putting that into a real-world situation, that equates to about 5 grocery bags. Once the third row is put down and depending on how far forward you slide the second-row seats, you will have either 38.5 or 45 cubic feet. The Sorento can tow up to 1,654 pounds.

Comfort and Interior

Depending on the trim, the front seats have heating, ventilation, and a good range of adjustment. The second row is designed “captain’s row style”. The seats were found to be firm but very comfortable compared to other SUVs. The third and last row seats are smaller and lower to the ground but will provide enough support for adults. The Sorento is classified as an SUV, but there is still plenty of room for passengers in all three rows. Kia makes it a key point to make sure there is enough space for adults to fit in all three rows and Edmunds found that to be true. The windows are a decent size, giving good visibility and clarity to the driver and passengers. Depending on the model, a surround-view camera system offers high-definition images that the driver will find helpful. The inside is decorated with genuine leather upholstery. LED reading and cabin lights offer a modern touch that illuminates the cabin. There is an optional sunroof package on the EX trim and a panoramic sunroof package on the SX prestige.

Technology

Edmunds’ top-of-the-line test vehicle came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation. The sound system is an upgraded Bose audio system. A 12-inch digital instrument panel comes with the car as well as 8 USB charging ports throughout the three rows. A wireless charger and a voice command system are installed. Apple Carplay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility are available. The steering wheel has mounted controls. Drivers can adjust the volume of the radio, change channels, handle calls with Bluetooth-enabled phones, and adjust their cruise control settings.

Standard Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

The IIHS gives ratings on two different scales. The first scale is poor, marginal, acceptable, and good. The second scale is basic, advanced, and superior. For the small overlap front: driver side, the Sorento received a “Good” in the following categories:

• Overall evaluation
• Structure and safety cage
• Head/neck
• Chest
• Hip/thigh
• Lower leg/foot

The same ratings were given for the passenger side test. The roof strength evaluation received a “Good”, as did the head restraints and seat test. The front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle received a “Superior” rating

Color Options

Exterior Paint

• Silky Silver
• Steel Gray
• Platinum Graphite
• Aurora Black
• Snow White Pearl
• Runway Red
• Gravity Blue

Seat Trim

• Black SynTex Seat Trim
• Gray SynTex Seat Trim

Safety Features

The 2024 Kia Sorento Hybrid and Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid both have several safety features that drivers will find useful. Auto emergency braking technology includes pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection. The car will automatically stop by itself if it feels there is an imminent crash. There is a blind spot collision avoidance assist that will alert the driver when something is in their blind spot. Rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist is very helpful. Lane-keeping assist will alert the driver when it seems they are swerving based on wheel patterns. Following assist technology and safe exit assist are included. Driver attention warning and highway driving assist are the last safety features. Kia put effort and energy into making the Kia Sorento Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrids safe SUVs based on the IIHS ratings and all of the driver safety features that they put in.

Conclusion

All to say Kia did an exceptional job with the 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid and Kia Sorento Hybrid. The exterior looks just like the standard Kia Sorento and goes for the nicer, sporty interior with the leather upholstery and LED lights. Several paint options are available for customers. The car handles easily and Edmunds recommends this car for first-time hybrid owners. The technology is pleasing to users and easy to navigate. The captain's chairs in the second row are a favorite of owners of the Sorento seeing as it gives plenty of room to the second row and a spacious feeling. The standard features that come on the base trim are so high quality that there isn’t much to upgrade to after that. Kia Sorento fans in Orange County, regardless of engine type will be able to find what they need right here at Mission Viejo Kia. Don’t hesitate to contact us, or call if you should have any questions.