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Holy efficiency, Kia! The 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV has an excellent fuel economy. The new Plug-in Hybrid Kia Sorento will take you pretty far on a single tank of gas. Check out what else it brings to the table. 

The 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV is efficient 

The 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV driving on the road
2022 Kia Sorento PHEV | Kia

Guess what you can do with the Kia Sorento now? You can plug it in! The 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV is on the way and targets 32 miles of electric range. It’s expected to travel 460 miles on a full tank of gas and full battery charge. 

It’s the latest model under Kia’s Plan S electrification strategy, meaning we’re going to see a lot more hybrid models. Some models are even going fully electric. But more on that later, today it’s all about the Sorento PHEV. 

What to expect with the plug-in Sorento 

The 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV is powered by a 13.8-kilowatt-hour battery and an electric motor that is paired with the 1.6-liter turbo-four engine. It provides 261 hp. Along with a 32-mile electric range, it should get an estimated 79 MPGe. 

Plus, the SorentoPHEV comes with standard all-wheel drive. It’s already equipped to tackle slippery situations such as snow and other challenging conditions. However, it’s expected to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.7 seconds. 

This is an average acceleration speed. You won’t be racing other drivers around town, but you will have enough power to merge on the highway and to pass other drivers as needed. The Toyota RAV4 may be a sportier option to consider. 

The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid doesn’t plugin, but it’s still pretty efficient. It uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, 1.5-kWh lithium battery, and an electric motor to pump out 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. So, the PHEV is more powerful. 

With the hybrid, you get an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. This is an excellent fuel economy, but the Sorento Hybrid is only available in front-wheel drive, so that’s a bummer. 

How is the interior of the Sorento PHEV? 

2022 Kia Sorento PHEV interior
2022 Kia Sorento PHEV interior | Kia

The 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV packs in premium touches and is loaded with technology. We don’t know its official price yet. However, the Sorento Hybrid starts at about $33,590. The PHEV may cost a few extra thousand dollars. 

The SX is the base trim and includes 19-inch wheels, three rows of seats with captain’s chairs in the second row, and synthetic leather. You also get smart keyless entry, a 10.25-inch infotainment system, and wireless phone charging. 

If you upgrade to the SX-P trim, you get more tech, including a 12.3-inch digital gauge closure, blind-spot monitors, and a surround-view camera. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot collision avoidance, the Kia Highway Driving Assistant. 

How long it takes to charge the battery and the official release date, haven’t come out yet, but we could learn more soon. The Sorento PHEV is expected to arrive at dealerships within the next few months.

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Staff Writer

Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.