Automakers are just starting to enter the plug-in hybrid scene with SUVs. First, Hyundai unveiled the Santa Fe PHEV and now all of the figures on the Kia Sorento PHEV have been released. According to the EPA, the Sorento PHEV has an electric range of up to 32 miles. That’s 2 miles better than the original estimated range for the SUV and 1 mile more than the Santa Fe PHEV.
The Sorento PHEV comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, a 66.9-kW electric motor, and a 13.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack for a combined output of 261 horsepower. Unsurprisingly, it’s the exact same powertrain as the Santa Fe PHEV.
While the Sorento PHEV can travel an extra mile on electricity, Kia’s midsize SUV also has better fuel economy figures. The Sorento PHEV is rated to get up to 79 MPGe and 34 mpg combined. The EPA rates the Santa Fe PHEV at up to 76 MPGe and 33 MPG. Because of the slight difference, the Sorento PHEV has an overall range of 460 miles, which is 20 miles more than the Santa Fe PHEV.
Compared to the Sorento Hybrid, the Sorento PHEV is down when it comes to fuel economy, but has more power. The Sorento Hybrid has a turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a 44-kW electric motor for a combined output of 227 hp. So, the hybrid is down 34 horsepower compared to the PHEV. When it comes to fuel economy, the Sorento Hybrid can get up to 37 mpg combined, 3 mpg better than the PHEV on gas power.
One major benefit of going with the Sorento PHEV over the hybrid is that the former is eligible for $6,587 of the federal tax credit (the same amount as the Santa Fe PHEV) and other state incentives. Kia hasn’t officially stated how much the Sorento PHEV will cost, but we expect it to cost around the same amount as the Santa Fe PHEV that’s priced at $40,535 with destination. If true, that would be a roughly $6,000 increase over the Sorento Hybrid that costs $34,765. We expect the federal tax credit to bring the Sorento PHEV to roughly the same price as the Sorento Hybrid.
There aren’t many midsize SUVs with plug-in hybrid powertrains on the market. Of the few options that do exist, the Sorento PHEV has an impressive amount of all-electric range. The Volvo XC90 (18 miles), BMW X5 (31 miles), Lincoln Aviator (21 miles), and Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid (17 miles) all have lower all-electric range figures than the Sorento PHEV.
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