Kia Announces 2023 Sorento Hybrid: Base Model Disappears, Prices Start at $37,000

For 2023 Kia has ditched the base model of the Sorento Hybrid. But, it still manages to pack a lot of value in these trim levels.

by Dan Mayfield

Published on September 16, 2022 1:20 pm

2 min read

The Kia Sorento Hybrid is returning for 2023, but fans of the base model will be disappointed. Instead, for 2023 the EX is now the cheapest Sorento you can buy, and a new SX-Prestige top-of-the-line version debuts with a ton of new options. But the Sorento Hybrid keeps all of the value and economy that makes it a success for Kia.

The Sorento is outselling the Telluride in 2022

So far this year the seven-seat Sorento has outsold the massively popular eight-passenger Kia Telluride SUV, which is a bit of a surprise. But many are waiting to buy the larger Telluride until the all-new 2023 version comes to dealers. But the Telluride isn’t available as a hybrid. The new Sorento Hybrid EX FWD starts at $36,590, and $38,390 for the all-wheel drive version. The new top-trim SX-Prestige starts at $42,390.

While the hybrid is getting small updates, the 2023 gas-powered version and the PHEV version are essentially carryovers for 2023. The 2022 base Sorento Hybrid started at $34,090.

What comes on the new SX-P trim?

2023 Kia Sorento interior — 2023 Sorento HEV interior | Kia

The new SX-P, or Prestige, trim turns the Sorento in a near-luxury SUV. While it’s an expensive trim, and options can push it past $45,000 easily, it does offer a lot including a power liftgate, leather seats, an upgraded power driver’s seat, and heated second-row seats. On the outside, it gets LED projector beam headlights and LED taillights. The panoramic sunroof is a $1,300 option, back seat entertainment is a $1,500 option, and lighting kits, side steps, a tow hitch and more are also available.

What is the fuel economy of the Sorento Hybrid?

2023 Kia Sorento rear view — The 2023 Sorento HEV | Kia

The Sorento has never been known as a hot rod among hybrid SUVs. It features a 1.6-liter paired with a 44kW motor that makes 227 horsepower. That’s not a ton of power, but the Sorento’s strong suit is its fuel economy. In front-wheel drive trim it gets a combined 37 mpg, while the heavier all-wheel-drive version gets a combined 34 mpg.

Those figures could change in 2024, however, because according to CarScoops, Kia is working on an updated 2024 version of the Sorento.

The Sorento Hybrid comes with several advanced safety features

The touchscreen of the 2023 Kia Sorento. — 2023 Sorento HEV

Kia calls its suite of driver’s aids Kia Drive Wise. All versions of the 2023 Sorento Hybrid will get lane following assist, lane keep assist, forward collision avoidance, blind sport collision avoidance assist,and navigation-based smart cruise control. The SX-P version gets a blind-spot view monitor and surround-view monitor.

What competes with the Sorento Hybrid?

Reliable midsize SUV that retains value like this red Toyota Highlander — The Toyota Highlander midsize SUV | Toyota

The Sorento Hybrid faces some still competition in the hot midsize hybrid SUV class from competitors like the Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer Hybrid. While both offer similar capability, the Explorer starts at about $51,000, but it does have a more potent V6 and up to 5,000 pounds of towing, compared to the 2,000 pf the Sorento. The Highlander Hybrid starts at $39,555 and comes similarly equipped to the EX versions of the Sorento. It, too, comes in front- or all-wheel drive versions and in trim levels from basic to super luxurious.

Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.