2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid (Plug-In) Review: BRILLIANT but flawed.

The 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV is here! But at just over $80,000 AUD is it really all that impressive? After all, it's a Kia right? Wrong (mostly, anyway)... In this review I'm going to show you why the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is seriously impressive, but has its flaws!
Skip Ahead:
Intro 00:00
Exterior 01:10
Practicality 03:00
Interior 04:04
Infotainment 06:14
Rear Seats 06:38
Third Row Seats 08:03
Specs and Engine 08:46
0-100 km/h 09:29
On the Road 10:47
Verdict 13:38
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[@Dirane20]

I’m a bit jealous. The US model does not offer 2nd row bench seats. Only 2nd row captains chairs are available.Also, the panoramic sunroof is available for $1300. Smh.

[@rlawlals]

I love your sarcasm and wit. One of the best fun channels on youtube for sure!

[@CarSauce]

I’ve probably got to tone it back 😂

[@rlawlals]

Remember me when you become famous

[@aharquail]

@@CarSauce Please don't!

[@timcollins380]

Great review Matt. Wired Apple / Android wouldn't bother me, I had wireless in my M3 and I didn't find it the best at hooking up seamlessly when I got into the car. Not sure if it was specific to my car or a general issue. While this looks impressive, a 1.6 seems weedy for a 2t car. But at $80k, this Sorrento is Prado (without all the toys) money.

[@Deactivated0]

Can you please do a Lexus product next, amazing review as always.

[@wosamosman9814]

Earned a sub mate . Great review with true blue humour

[@CraigWinstanley1]

Thanks ! Excellent and balanced review.

[@scottlarocca]

Since the Kia family lacks wireless Android Auto, have you considered after-market solutions such as AAWireless? I recently got one for my Mazda3 and it's been working quite well. Motorola have a similar device in the works.

[@CarSauce]

That’s the issue though! These systems are capable of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay wirelessly, but for some reason if the Kia / Hyundai system has maps installed they won’t enable wireless (due to legal issues of some description). So annoying!

[@podge5555]

When the battery is depleted does it become sluggish or does it always have some charge in it?

[@watchhunter3045]

Great review…..I left Melbourne and Australia because the technology there quite slow compare to many countries. 😅😅

[@MrRILEYRALLY]

Good review Matt. But with diesel going up. Is still better by the diesel

[@rudiphoto]

First! 🙂 Love your reviews, Matt. Very entertaining.

[@CarSauce]

Thank you for watching!

[@sko1beer]

You guys are lucky to have this hybrid it’s not even coming to Hong Kong so brought a e Niro

[@krane15]

On the other hand, China gets dozen of cars from the same manufacturer that North Americans don't. So it evens out.

[@sko1beer]

@@krane15 not really cause Hong Kong drives on the other side like the uk. we never got any of the china brands and stuck with brands that are sold in Europe only. we dont even get cheap petrol here compared to mainland china or usa i pay more than when i lived in london

[@Vincente_Guerrero]

I just bought one yesterday it's a great suv

[@ShutDFckOff]

Have you thought of taking the back seats out to lighten the vehicle and save more ev miles?

[@Vincente_Guerrero]

@@ShutDFckOff ooooooo I haven't thank you, is it a big difference?

[@aussiefabricator3381]

So once the battery is down to 15% is there a noticeable power drop? Like if you where driving in the hills with a flat battery does it feel like just a 1.6 Turbo? And what's its total l/100 like when doing long highway runs

[@soulclassics3924]

In Germany we get about 6.000€ rebate on PHEVs, 2/3 sponsored by government, 1/3 by manufacturer. (9.000€ on BEVs). Just to fight carbon-emissions. We payed 48.100€ for a Sorento PHEV in 9/2021 6 months old with 3.900km on it. MRSP would have been 63.900€ for a new one (waiting up to 12 months). We have a 5seater (it seems in Australia, UK and USA KIA offers only 3row versions, which are optional in Europe). A similar German Audi/Mercedes/BMW or a Volvo PHEV would have cost us almost double that price... Quality seems equal to me. Public charging facilities you'll find in every European City and on highways (which makes more sense for BEVs), less outside the metropolitan areas. We decided to go for a PHEV, because travelling to Croatia or southern parts of Italy would have been a mess with a BEV - similar to Australia I guess. To answer your question: The battery NEVER runs empty. Reaching 14% the car turns into full hybrid mode. You always have full acceleration, even on German Autobahn with no speed limit... The 1.6 Turbo for such a big car is no issue at all, because the ICE always gets support from the electric motor, when needed. Our car made 15.000km meanwhile. In every day commuting we need between 0,0 liters gasoline (in summer) and 2.3 liters/100km (in winter, because the ICE will run for heating ), charging every night at home. Long distance without charging you can expect 7liters/100km (on German Autobahn 130km/h). That's almost like a Diesel in this size. Stop&go traffic in the city you can drive more than 60km purely electric or need less than 4l/100km with an empty battery. The hybrid-mode does it's job pretty well. We absolutely love this car! It's spacious (we have a dog), pure luxury driving, economical and comes with a 7 year warranty in Europe. Next car will be a BEV anyway... Btw: Putin's awful and cruel war on Ukraine caused prices of more than 2.20€/l for gasoline in Germany. I'm glad to drive mainly with electric power from sustainable sources instead of using oil from Russia...

[@rafalkociemski5997]

@@soulclassics3924 Have you not noticed oil dilution problem? At my Sorento PHEV after 5 months and 3700km milage I had 2 cm of oil (still oil?) over max level, liguid was almost transparent and stank petrol very significantly. KIA does not see any problem but I see. Of course this is not only KIA problem but refers generally to HEV and even more to PHEV. I wonder how long the endine will last it.

[@soulclassics3924]

@@rafalkociemski5997 We have 27.000km on our Sorento PHEV after 1 year. Only problem is that "Inverter coolant" message sometimes. It occures after long drives or on hot days. Coolant is max, and message disapears after stopping and restarting after a while. Everything else ist perfect. Oil is not deluted. I love our Sorento. Best car we ever owned!

[@rafalkociemski5997]

@@soulclassics3924 maybe because my wife is making a lot short distances like 2-5km and especially during winter petrol engine never warms up. The coolant problem is known in Poland as well. Service is changing coolant liquid to new one with different specification but sometimes it helps, sometimes not. I have read at Kia forum - never happened to me. And I agree. This is good car.

[@Okikor1]

Is the ride as smooth as a Highlander?

[@10minsfree]

You get a huge thumbs up for saying peasant blockers ‘ 😂😂😂😂

[@MrRez808]

When are we all going to talk about the Elephant in the room. EV product is far more polluting than ICE product to the point that it would take 7 years running a pure EV or 4/5 running a hybrid to break even on emissions versus a standard midsized ICE and that’s not even taking into account where your electricity is coming from!! I am a total tech nerd and love the idea behind EV but we really all need to get serious about the facts. Lower or Zero emissions vehicles these are not. Another fantastic review as well 👍

[@TheLearningCatalystCoach]

False. unless you provide valid, data backed unbiased research, you're just trolling.

[@krane15]

@@TheLearningCatalystCoach Not false.

[@krane15]

At this point, its not until the second owner that the advantage of buying an EV will show. But the transition has to begin somewhere. Just not a true advantage on the first buy right now.

[@2xwishbone895]

Strange that the overseas model has bench seats for the middle row while the North American model has captain chairs

[@krane15]

Carmakers always cater to the market. Most North American aren't even aware that the Germans make short wheel base versions of their flagship model and with much less luxury than they have in the American market. As for the bench seats, the tush on North Americans are too big and they won't fit.

[@portraitonetelo1897]

Nice car but way waaay to expensive. Where I live the Merc GLB is cheaper then the Sorento.. go figure.

[@krane15]

Now compare it to the Mercedes GLB in the same market. Apples to apples Jeeves. Is it also as well equipped and with a similar power train rating?

[@portraitonetelo1897]

@@krane15 yes it is jeeves

[@krane15]

First, no third row on any mid-sized SUV such as this is going to comfortably accommodation an adult. They are +2 seats suitable only for small children. It you have a family in that transit -- from infant to adolescent -- then these third-row seats should be fine. Otherwise, its just suitable as a jump-seat for a short cross town jaunt. But never cross country.

[@kevatnorthfield]

Its not worth it. Iv got a 23 plate. Good looking car.

[@robertceroli3512]

For 50k you can get the V6 Sorrento .pretty sure you won't spend 30k in fuel in the period of ownership

[@radissimo1]

is it GT model?

[@TheLearningCatalystCoach]

In the US you'd easily spend 30K in fuel and maintenance over 5-7 years depending on your commute/use. I don't commute every day, and project $3500 savings every year...and will get a $2500 cash check upon purchase and hope to use as much of the $6500 tax credit as possible.

[@sebastianromero420]

The only flaw is the driver (you)

[@sirjarhead]

Oh that's a bit harsh

[@krane15]

That's rude.

[@NoelDickover]

The flawed part is that its a plug-in hybrid? Such a strange flaw, but OK. Its sort of in the name, the design of the car itself.