But back to the review of the Sorento. New for this model year the exterior gets a major refresh, which may look familiar. The upright front hood and squared off edges look purposefully similar to the Telluride, which has won numerous awards and is the crown jewel of the Kia SUV lineup. Falling in line for a family resemblance is good thing as the Sorento is handsome and distinctive.
If you think the broad, rectangular front grille looks a lot like the all-electric EV9, you’d be right. Kia’s design is clearly and intentionally updating the Sorento to “fall in line” with the rest of the lineup. Amber daytime running lights give it distinction and a modern appeal.
The constellation inspired Star Map lighting elements in the front and rear lend the Sorento a futuristic edge, while the front and lower bumpers incorporate a wider cosmetic skid plate for extra rugged appeal.
As far as performance, the Sorento retains the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motor assist. While this isn’t an engine that’s going to blaze off the line or provide goosebumps, it is efficient and smooth. For a hybrid, that’s all you can expect.
The Sorento Hybrid has 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque with a six-speed automatic transmission. Those numbers may seem pedestrian especially when you consider the curb weight of 4,652 pounds.
To quote a Gin Blossoms song, “if you don’t expect too much from me, you might not be let down.” And that certainly applies to the Sorento’s performance.
Inside, there are several noticeable updates. Horizontal features such as the air vents and controls give the interior a streamlined and modern aesthetic, creating a sense of openness. The most glaring change is to the dashboard and infotainment screen. This panoramic, curved display integrates dual 12.3-inch screens and is part of Kia’s next-generation Connected Car Navigation Cockpit system. That’s a fancy way to say it’s a driver-focused intuitive system.
This is where the Sorento excels within this segment. The technology is modern but easy to use. Smartphone integration is simple too.
The cabin size is competitive for a three-row hybrid SUV. The second row legroom is 40.3 inches while the third row has only 29.6 inches. This seems like quite a drop off but is pretty comparable to other similarly-sized SUVs.
Where the drop off is most noticeable is in the cargo room behind the third row. With all seats upright, there’s only 12.6 cubic feet of cargo area. Fold down that third row and the cargo area expands to 45 cubic feet. The maximum cargo room is 75.5 cubic feet with rear seats folded.
Again I’ll reference “Hey Jealousy” by the Gin Blossoms, just don’t expect too much and you might not be letdown.
Also, this is why Kia has the Telluride as it’s the bigger version and one aimed at bigger families who might need a bigger cabin. The Sorento is ideal as a daily driver or as commuter vehicle.
With all-wheel drive (AWD) and that efficient hybrid performance, the trips to the gas station will be fewer. It has an EPA rating of 34 mpg/city and highway. For an AWD vehicle the size of the Sorento that’s more than adequate.
My tester was the SX-Prestige trim with a base price of $46,890. Final MSRP with a few options added was $49,090.
The updated 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid falls nicely into place in the impressive Kia lineup of SUVs. Though not flawless, the updates have made the Sorento more viable and more competitive. And in this ultra-competitive segment any advantage is important.
Jimmy Dinsmore is a freelance automotive journalist. Email him at jimmydinsmore73@gmail.com. Follow him on X: @driversside.
2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX-Prestige
Price/As tested price................................................ $46,890/$$49,090
Mileage.......................................... 34 mpg/city; 34 mpg/hwy
Engine............................................. 1.6-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged hybrid
Horsepower................................. 227 hp/258 lbs./ft.
Transmission................................. 6-speed automatic
Drive Wheels................ All-wheel drive
Final Assembly Point................ Hwasung, Korea
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