Hybrid technology has come a long way since the first generation of the Toyota Prius. Some of the fastest vehicles on the planet now feature some form of electric propulsion. like the Toyota RAV4, where the hybrid version is the fastest in the lineup along with being the most fuel efficient. But, that is not yet true across the board; case in point being the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid. While a fantastic all-rounder, the SUV will not make enthusiasts happy. The SUV's frugal hybrid-electric powertrain still lags behind the gas-only models in some important aspects. Let's explore the pros and cons of the Sorento’s second most economical drivetrain, behind the plug-in hybrid version.

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A Great Three-Row SUV With One Caveat

A front three-quarters shot of a red 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid.
Kia

The fourth generation of the Sorento, underpinned by the Kia/Hyundai N3 Platform, is boxier and sleeker than the one before. According to Kia, the new third-generation front-drive platform provides a 1.4-inch longer wheelbase when compared with the previous version, while simultaneously decreasing overall weight by 119 pounds and increasing average tensile strength by four-percent. The steel unibody unsurprisingly rides on MacPherson struts at the front and a Multi-Link setup at the rear, while anti-roll bars mount to both ends. Stopping is courtesy of four-wheel ventilated 12.8-inch disc brakes. 17-inch Aero Design alloy wheels wrapped in 235/65 R17 tires are standard in the front-drive EX trim. Torque vectoring all-wheel-drive with a locking center differential is optional in the base EX trim and standard in the upper SX Prestige trim. In both cases, it comes with 19-inch machine-finished alloys wrapped in 235/55 R19 tires. Curb weight varies between 3,979 pounds and 4,255 pounds depending on spec and whether the drive to the rear wheels is present.

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Fuel Economy is Good, But It Will Never Make You Smile

1.6-liter Smartstream engine in the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid.
Kia

In the Hybrid model, power comes from a direct-injection 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder, assisted by a 44-kW electric motor. Gone is the clunky eight-speed dual-clutch transmission from the gas-only models and on comes a traditional six-speed automatic. The combined output from the powertrain is an unspectacular 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It won’t be winning many drag races at the lights, as the acceleration to 60 mph takes a mediocre 8.4 seconds. That is a whopping two seconds slower than the petrol-only models. Don’t be looking to hook up a big trailer to your Sorento Hybrid either, as towing capacity is a paltry 2,000 pounds. The Hybrid’s forte is its efficiency, offering a combined EPA-rated 37 mpg, which Kia claimed, at the time of launch, was the best of any three-row SUV. This value is for the front-wheel-drive model; opting for the rear-wheel-drive model decreases mileage to 34 mpg combined. It will get up to 655 miles of range from its parallel hybrid setup and 17.7-gallon fuel tank.

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Plenty of Equipment, But Not So Much Space for People

Interior of the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid.
Kia

Overall, the interior of the Sorento looks like a nice place to be. The driver’s instrument display is a 4.2-inch unit in the EX and a 12.3-inch digital screen in the SX Prestige. A 10.25-inch touchscreen display dominates the center of the dashboard. SiriusXM, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth hands-free connectivity with voice recognition are all standard. The base car comes with a six-speaker audio system, while the higher trim doubles that number with its Bose premium audio setup. SynTex seating in black and grey is available in the EX trim, while the SX Prestige trim gets genuine perforated leather in both grey and navy blue. On the outside, the SX Prestige also gets power-folding side mirrors, LED projector headlights and taillights, and automatic windshield wipers.

A close look at the 10.25-inch touchscreen in the interior of the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid.
Kia

The SX Prestige also has a couple of cool new features. There’s a Blind-Spot View Monitor, in which a mirror-mounted camera displays a live view of your blind spot in the instrument cluster when you activate the turn signals. There’s also a Surround View Monitor, in which four cameras mounted around the SUV offer a bird’s eye view of the car’s surroundings while maneuvering at low speeds. That is a great aid for tight situations. A panoramic sunroof is available as an option on both trims.

Interior of the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid showing the second-row captain seats.
Kia

Another possible disadvantage of the hybrid versions versus the gasoline-only lower trim levels, besides the diminished performance, is the seating capacity, which accommodates one fewer person. The Hybrid comes only with captain seats in the second row, meaning you can only ever carry a maximum of six passengers instead of the seven possible with traditional middle-row seats. Also, there is not a lot of space in the third row, meaning you are unlikely to be able to sit two full-size adults in there either, further limiting the car’s passenger-carrying abilities. For what is a family SUV, this can be a major drawback to some customers.

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Fuel Efficiency Comes At The Cost Of Performance

Front three-quarters shot of a white 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid.
Kia

The Sorento Hybrid comes with Kia’s industry-leading 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. The front-wheel-drive EX trim will start at $36,590 while the SX Premium is $5,800 more expensive at $42,390. If you want to take the next step in electric mobility and be able to drive your Sorento in pure electric mode, you’ll have to spring for the pricier Plug-In model. It starts at $49,890, but for that price you get all the bells and whistles of the all-wheel-drive SX Prestige model, plus 32 miles of all-electric range from an 89-horsepower AC synchronous permanent magnet motor. It draws power from a 360-volt, 13.8 kWh Lithium-Ion Polymer battery. This new drivetrain is good for a combined 261 horsepower, while torque stays at 258 pound-feet. Although weight climbs to over 4,500 pounds, it will return up to 79 MPGe combined and shave one second off the Hybrid’s zero-to-60 time. However, that’s still one second slower than the 2.5-liter turbo version.

Rear three-quarters shot of a white 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid
Kia

All in all, the Sorento Hybrid is a decent proposition. It brings good fuel economy and loads of equipment to the highly competitive mid-size SUV market. But everything comes at a price. In the case of the Sorento Hybrid and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, the drawback of fewer visits to the pump is the reduced performance compared to its gas-only counterparts. That’s somewhat disappointing in an age where manufacturers are investing heavily in electrified powertrains. Sure, if you are looking for a small three-row SUV, speed is probably not at the top of your list of priorities, and with the Sorento, you’re getting a lot of equipment for your money. But ,at nearly $50,000 you shouldn’t have to settle for something that won’t at least occasionally put a smile on your face.