2022 Kia Sorento PHEV is the New Plug-In Hybrid on the Block
News broke that the 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV will be sold in America, and it’s something to watch for. A 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four teamed with an electric motor produces 261 combined horsepower, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Kia’s outfitted the Sorento hybrid with a 13.89 kWh battery pack, allowing 32 all-electric miles to a charge. The total range including gasoline rounds out to 460 miles, according to Kia.
The Sorento’s big battery qualifies for a tax incentive, according to Kia, saving customers $6,587 from a federal tax credit. While this sounds good on paper so far, the Sorento PHEV’s MSRP hasn’t been released. With that in mind, how does it stack up against other Hyrbids? Will it beat them all like this year’s model?
The competition looks thin but fierce
In terms of horsepower, the Sorento PHEV falls in line with the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV. The Santa Fe has a combined 261 horsepower also and can reach 31 miles on its electric charge. The Santa Fe PHEV is $35,000, so for the Sorento to compete it should land in that range. However, since Hyundai owns Kia motors, the real competition lies elsewhere.
The Sorento may have to look out for the Toyota RAV4 Prime. It’s a plug-in hybrid with 302 combined horsepower and will go 42 miles on electric power alone. Although the RAV4 starts a bit higher at $39,425, it could qualify for the maximum federal tax credit of $7,500. That makes it cheaper than the Sorento (pre-tax credit). If a customer can get the full tax credit on the RAV4 it’s the obvious choice.
The Sorento’s $6,587 tax credit puts it on a similar level as high-priced PHEVs, like the Audi A8 and Q5, but is greater than some of the competition. The 2019 Sonata PHEV is only eligible for $4,919, while the Ioniq PHEV is closer to $4,500. Of all the cars eligible for a federal tax credit as depicted by Fueleconomy.gov, the Sorento lands near the upper echelon of PHEVs, which is nothing to sneeze at.
What else does the Sorento PHEV offer?
Besides an impressive and efficient powertrain, the Sorento PHEV also offers plenty of amenities to make a comfortable ride. Among Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with a Bose sound system, there are a plethora of safety features including blind-spot and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. Depending on the trim Kia will offer 19-inch wheels and synthetic leather.
The 2022 Sorento PHEV will be an exciting addition to Kia’s lineup. It’ll be hard to beat with its impressive electric-only range at its presumed price point. Though the RAV4 is a close contender for most beloved PHEV, customers who qualify for the full tax credit can get their Sorento even cheaper.
