THE 2024 KIA SORENTO PLUG-IN HYBRID: A HANDSOME, 3-ROW SUV WITH A LOADED INTERIOR

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.

What’s new for 2024?

Having been introduced as a new model for 2022 with a revised trim lineup in 2023, there were no significant changes to the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid for 2024. However, Kia surprised us with an all-new grille, headlight design, taillight design, and a refreshed instrument panel in a mid-2024 update.

2024 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid pricing

The 2024 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid starts at $51,665. That includes the factory-to-dealer delivery charge and is for the sole SX Prestige trim. That makes it the most expensive Sorento variant, starting at $7,500 higher than the Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige.

The Sorento Plug-in Hybrid costs more than the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid, but it’s more affordable than the plug-in Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. The smaller Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a more affordable 3-row option with just a bit more all-electric range.

This is the manufacturer’s suggested retail price and includes the $1,375 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).

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.

Also see: These are the 10 cheapest new hybrids of 2024

Driving the 2024 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

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.

Premium interior

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.

At the heart of the reconfigured instrument panel is an updated set of displays: one for the digital gauge cluster and one as the infotainment touchscreen. They appear as one wide display mimicking the screen array in much pricier vehicles.

Plus: The 10 best, most affordable 3-row vehicles of 2024

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).

Handsome exterior

Having enjoyed a redesign in 2022 and a revision of its trim levels for 2023, we weren’t expecting much in the way of changes for 2024. Kia surprised us. It revamped Sorento’s face and tail in a mid-year freshening. Up front, the all-new grille is deeper and wider than the grille it replaces. To make way for the added grille width, the headlights are reconfigured, situated vertically rather than horizontally. A thin LED signature light runs from the top of each side of the grille, wrapping around the front fenders. At the rear, Kia narrowed the twin lights in each pair of taillights. Moreover, a thin light bar connects the lights in each pair.

Our favorite features and tech

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.

Engine and transmission

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 AWD.

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.

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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.

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This story originally ran on KBB.com.