2025 Kia Sorento

Kia, the prominent and fast-growing South-Korean-based automaker, debuted a gas-electric hybrid version of its mid-size Sorento crossover in the 2021 model year. This self-charging design requires no nightly plug into a wall socket while noticeably increasing gas mileage. One year later, a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) version debuted, providing 32 miles of pure electric driving before a gas-electric hybrid technology kicks into gear. The original gas-exclusive Sorento debuted in the 2003 model year.  

Consider Sorento a mid-size choice but skewing towards the smaller end of this popular crossover spectrum. Kia dealers offer an impressive stable of five-door vehicles in the 2025 model year in addition to the Sorento including the subcompact Niro wagon, compact Seltos crossover, compact/mid-size Sportage tweener and its largest crossover, the flagship Telluride. In addition, the box-like Kia Soul measures in with a 165-inch length, qualifying as a subcompact status.  

Many Kia vehicles now offer up gas-electric hybrid vehicle variants, commonly referred to as a Hybrid Electric Vehicle or HEV while its number of pure electric vehicles, or EVs, also expand. These electrified variants join traditional internal combustion engine design providing drivers with a wide variety of opportunities. Hybrid Electric Vehicles have gained popularity during the past decade as more and more automakers diversify their portfolios. The HEV design extends fuel economy without adding excessive dollar padding to the bottom line. For those not yet ready to go all plug all the time, HEVs provide a gentler environmental footprint without higher price points currently found within pure electric vehicles.  

Interestingly, the Sorento hybrid differs from the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) variant within seat configurations. Our hybrid tester included a pair of supportive row Two Captain s Chairs standard rather than a three-person 60/40-spit bench seat found in the gas-exclusive Sorento. Captain s Chairs offer a notable comfort upgrade and have gained popularity during the past decade delivering decent leg and headroom for the middle class occupant. These seats first appeared in luxury-branded minivans and crossovers but through the decades have entered higher-volume mainstream products. 

Sorento s Captains Chair seatbacks also tilt back a notch adding an additional comfort level. They re versatile too; tilt the backrest forward and the entire unit easily glides and slides forward via a floor track, opening up an entry way for kids or brave adults to access the two-person third row. 

The Hybrid Sorrento offers two trim levels, a difference from the traditional ICE version continuing to offer nine with the lowest-priced front-wheel drive LX ICE version starting at $31,990, an ultra-competitive starting price for this segment. A 2025 Sorento Hybrid EX starts at $38,690 for a front drive version, while an active, on-demand all-wheel drive derivative checks in at $40,490.  

Our tester, a Sorento SX Prestige Hybrid, available solely as an all-wheel-drive offering, starts at $46,890. Factory options included a $295 Dust Blue Interior package and a $190 cargo cover. An assortment of dealer installed options reaching $915 (carpeted floor mats, carpeted cargo mat) brought the bottom line to $49,705 including a $1,415 destination charge.  

All three Sorento variants offer three rows of seating, although the third row is best for the pre-teen sorts. Kia s three-row Telluride, the automaker s largest crossover, may be a wiser choice if ultimate row-three comfort becomes a factor in the purchasing process. 

Sorento s third row includes manually-folding 50/50-split seatbacks that pull back up with the help of old-school, yet effective, pull stapes mounted on the backrest s backside and best operate via the open, standard power hatchback.  

My aging, six-foot, 65-year-old Boomer frame ventured into the third expanse with mixed results. Leg comfort measured better than expected due in part to the design of second-row Captain s Chairs. Good headroom comfort depends largely upon heights shorter than six-feet three-inches. Maneuvering in and out of the third-row expanse is best left for the spry generation despite extra-wide second-row side doors that swing out to provide an ample take-off and landing strip.  

The comparatively low 6.8-inch ground clearance provides an easy gateway when entering and exiting the vehicle, important for those with mobility challenges or for parents strapping young children into safety seats. Ceiling handles over all four side doors also helps. 

One of the only factory options available in the AWD Hybrid SX Prestige: upmarket exterior Snow While Pearl Paint. Both Sorento hybrid editions arrive with loads of standard equipment with few factory option choices, speeding along the purchasing process.  

The SX Prestige Hybrid includes five drive modes (Comfort, Sport, Eco, Smart and Snow) while the EX Hybrid trim offers these as an option. The SX Prestige Hybrid adds power-folding side-view mirrors and upgraded LED rear combination lights. Inside, SX Prestige Hybrid utilizes chrome-coated door handles to the EX metal paint variety. The SX-Prestige promotes a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument panel compared to the EX s 4.0-inch size. The SX-Prestige Hybrid also upgrades to a Bose-branded stereo and adds a heated steering wheel feature. Seating upgrades within the SX include gray leather-like material with an available, new-for-2025 Dust Blue leather option. Both trims include heated front bucket seats with three settings but SX-Prestige adds a ventilated opportunity with a trio of settings.  

Sorento hybrids powers from a 1.6-liter gas direct injection turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor both teamed to a six-speed automatic transmission. A flat 88-pound, 270-volt lithium-ion battery pack stores under second row seating near the rear axle discharging 64 kilowatts to power the electric motor bringing the combined horsepower to 227. It s a similar set up found within the slightly smaller 2025 Kia Sportage HEV. The electric motor improves low-end torque, providing extra punch from a standing start. During short durations at low speeds, the vehicle travels in pure electric mode, but predominantly relies upon the parallel hybrid design during all other travels.  

With a full tank of gas, expect an impressive range of 655 miles with front-wheel drive and 602 for all-wheel drive variants. Fuel economy checks in at 34 miles per gallon in both city and highway travel teamed with all-wheel drive, an upgrade from the standard non-hybrid engine returning 23 mpg city and 28 mpg highway respectively with all-wheel drive underpinnings. Sportage hybrids with front-wheel drive improves those estimates to 36 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving.  

The conventional six-speed automatic transmission provides sportier feedback compared to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) design found within a majority of competitive HEVs. This provides the Sorento Hybrid with an added burst of pep from a standing start. Sorento seamlessly moves from EV to hybrid mode and back relatively seamlessly.  

Both Sorento HEVs circa 2025 qualify as full gas-electric hybrids rather than a mild gas-electric hybrid, an important distinction since full hybrids promise superior fuel economy and higher level of sophistication. Too often the word hybrid gets stamped onto a vehicle without proper context. Full hybrids travel in pure electric mode for short distances at low speeds with no assistance from the gas engine. This design sometimes refers to FHEV with the F representing Full . Lower priced mild gas-electric hybrids (MHEVs) only assist the engine and delivers less impressive miles per gallon. The full parallel hybrid system found within the Sorento HEV utilizes both the gas engine and electric motor to power the wheels, either together or separately, different from a series design.  

This hybrid design also takes advantage of regenerative braking utilized in Electric Vehicles and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles elevating fuel economy. This slight-of-hand recycles mechanical energy created during the friction-heavy braking process, recapturing this force into the direct-current lithium-ion battery pack for reuse at a later date.  

The dashboard s relatively flat topside situates somewhat lower than many rivals, providing a larger windshield canvas and enhanced forward visibility. This design works together with a wide, narrow screen combining a far right 12.3-inch multi-function touchscreen teaming with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster to the left forming a long, flat, wall-like rectangular palate with digital graphics grooving to an audible entry tune when starting the engine. This screen does not build directly into the dash but sits upon a lower brim extending slightly above its topside in a gently curved fashion. The multi-information screen s Home option divides into three sections: Map, Audio and Hybrid- detailing through animation the flow of energy to and from the lithium-ion battery pact. Press on any one of the three and a full-screen version appears with additional sub features.  

Small, narrow air vents reside under the center screen with larger, upright vents flanking the ends of the dash. Below the center vents; a dual-duty rectangular area combining together HVAC controls and audio functions. When first encountering this design a few years ago within a previous Kia test drive, the concept threw me for a loop but adjusted to nicely after a few interactions. The pressure-sensitive center section presents two selectable, backlit inline icons. Press the bottom icon to summon HVAC fan direction and speed. When pushing the top icon, the display panel switches to different audio-related icons. Two twist/push dials at each end also play double duty with the left orb controlling volume/on/off or the driver s side temperature setting depending upon which binary category one finds him/her self. The right orb doubles as passenger-side temperature settings or station selection.  

An electronic twist dial between front buckets selects the transmission settings. A twist left summons reverse and twisting right selects drive. A color topside indicator indicates Reverse, Neutral or Drive. A P atop the dials engages Park with a simple push down. Just aft of this dial, a secondary dial for ordering up different drive modes including snow, eco, smart and sport. This mode dial also including a locking feature allowing drivers to specifically order up and lock into all-wheel drive at will (sending power to both front and rear wheels simultaneously at speeds below 40 miles per hour) useful during heavy snow accumulation. A simple push down of this button activates the locking system with the top illuminating in an amber hue, disengaging requires the same simple push down of the dial.  

To the rear; a decent-depth storage/bin arm rest hinged at the backside for stowing valuables out of sight. Sorento provides decent number of small open storage nooks throughout the front. The push bottom electronic start/stop button locates on the lower dash to the right of the steering column.  

A flat, wireless Smartphone charger resides to the fore of the transmission dial tucked into a lower dash cove with available USB Type C ports. A green light illuminates when powering up portable electronics. Apple Car Play, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity arrive standard within the two hybrid selections.  

Another upgrade SX-Prestige Hybrid offers that s not available in EX Hybrid, a blind-spot view monitor with companion surround view monitor. The blind spot view monitor projects live action color feeds from tiny side-mounted cameras through the digital instrument panel when activating left and right turn signals. It s a simple, easy to digest safety perk providing real-time feedback of hard-to-detail activity. The surround view monitor also uses additional cameras to provide a 360-degree view of outdoor activities feed through the center screen with different angles selected from a button found between the front buckets.  

Sorento hybrid s handsome visual presence starts with a sculpted hood and wheels with a circular saw-blade-like capping adding visual bite. Chrome framing surrounds side door windows. Four LED headlights stand vertically at each end of a narrow, rectangular, tiger-nose-style grille with black diamond-like fill. The vertical lights integrate with branch-like, Y type daytime running lights doubling as amber turn signal lights. The power-operated rear hatch includes a spoiler atop with the wiper swooping down from the topside (and hidden from view) rather that stationed at the bottom.  

Also adorning the front hood s end, rear hatch door and steering wheel, Kia s new-fangled logo introduced in 2022 model year vehicles replacing an oval version with interior block KIA lettering. The new updates artistically blends hand-written-like, connected, stick lettering with no outside framing.  

For the third consecutive year, Kia America posted all-time sales records. Total 2025 calendar year sales reached 852,155, a new record and surpassing the 800,000 signpost for the first time, representing a five percent increase over the previous all-time high set in 2024. Sorrento sales continue pulling its weight with nearly identical numbers from the previous year. For the record, Sorento ended the 2025 calendar year with 94,772 units, just a shade below the 95,154 units from the year prior. Kia s best-seller in the U.S. last year, once again, belonged to the five-door compact Sportage crossover. Sales of Kia s electrified models, including our Sorento HEV tester and all Electric Vehicles (EVs) offered by Kia, increased by 24 percent. 

Kia, along with the Genesis Luxury brand, both part of The Hyundai Motor Group, generates miles of positive press from its 10-year/100,000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty coverage, one of the industry s longest providing an extended peace of mind for consumers and key differentiator among worthy competitors. 

At a Glance: 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige 
Price as Tested: $49,705 
Engine: 1.6-liter turbocharged gas-direct hybrid engine 
ICE horsepower: 177.5 
Electric Motor Horsepower: 59.3 horsepower 
Total Horsepower: 277 
Wheelbase: 110 inches  
Overall Length: 189.6 inches 
Overall Height: 66.7 inches 
Curb Weight: 5,688 pounds 
Fuel Economy: 34 mpg city/34 mpg highway 
Assembly: South Koreas