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KiaSorento plug-in hybrid (2021-)

Available new
Medium/Large SUV
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)

£45,740Typical price

Test score

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The fourth-generation Kia Sorento is a full-size SUV that’s available not only in diesel and ‘self-charging’ hybrid forms but also, from 2021, as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The Sorento PHEV is a large seven-seater with proper off-road capability thanks to its 4x4 system. But can it beat PHEV rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-80? Find out in our full Kia Sorento PHEV review.

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What's included?

What is it?
What’s it like to drive?
How reliable are Kia's plug-in hybrid cars?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

May 2023First reviewed by Which?
Dec 2020Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

6 Jun 2025

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectiveness of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performance is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (large cars, SUVs and MPVs)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of two stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. Any car that receives three stars can't be a Best Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Safety kit

How we test safety kit

We factor in the safety equipment that’s factory-fitted or optional, along with how well the car protects its occupants and pedestrians in the event of an accident. We also test how easy it is to fit a variety of child car seats.

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Full hybrid reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Medium/Large SUV
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Available new
New price	£45,740 - £54,128
Fuel type	Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Tested fuel efficiency	68.1mpg
Length	4,810mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,900mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,120mm
Height	1,695mm
Driver max height
Second-row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	7
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	12.35 m
On sale date	16 December 2020
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£20.35

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	1.6 T-GDI Plug-in-Hybrid AWD Automatic
Fuel type	Plug-in-Petrol-Hybrid
Capacity and power	1.6-litre (265hp)
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Four-wheel-drive (4WD)
Fuel tank capacity	47 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel efficiency (mi/kWh)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	20.35p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£64
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	High
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	95
Tested electric-only range (miles)
Official fuel economy: WLTP	176.6
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d
Braked tow load (KG)	1500kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	23 April 2021
Test programme	2017

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KiaSorento plug-in hybrid (2021-)

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