2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige Review

A paragon of contemporary family transportation, the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige deftly combines style, comfort, utility, fuel economy and value. A plug-in hybrid, the Sorento PHEV is also capable of traveling 31 miles on electricity alone. A three-row proposition, the all-wheel-drive Sorento offers an abundance of tech features, including state-of-the-art driver aids as standard equipment. As is de rigueur for Kia’s products, all of this comes at a considerably lower price than you might expect. Rendered in what Kia’s marketers refer to as Volcanic Sand paint, the 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX-Prestige AWD model I sampled had a base price of $53,090; the price as tested came to $54,690.

2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige First Impressions

Kia is known for presenting some of the most handsome offerings in the industry, and the 2025 Sorento definitely holds up its end in that regard. Crisp lines, judicious applications of brightwork and avant-garde headlight treatments mark the three-row SUV as some of the marque’s design team’s best work. Everything about the Kia says big money — except the window sticker.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Serving up a total system output of 261 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, the 1.6-liter intercooled turbocharged inline four teams up with an AC motor fed by an 11.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. A six-speed automatic transmission completes the all-wheel-drive powertrain. Road manners are best described as polite, with no untoward intrusion.

I say this because the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige isn’t exactly slow, but it can’t realistically be characterized as fast either. It’s adequate. I clocked four consecutive two-way 0-60s in just under eight ticks.According to the folks at Kia, the PHEV Sorento is capable of towing up to 2,000 pounds.

Meanwhile, Sorento’s ride quality — at the risk of sounding like Goldilocks — is just right. The Kia’s passenger compartment is also suitably quiet on the highway. Long story short, Sorento is everything you’d expect a family-oriented vehicle with no sporting intentions to be.

Performance Specifications

Kia Sorento PHEV Fuel Economy

As previously mentioned, the plug-in hybrid system gives the AWD Sorento PHEV the ability to travel some 31 miles on electricity alone — according to the EPA. Electrical power is stored in an 11.8-kWh battery pack. Given a short commute, and the ability to charge at home and work, it’s possible to go back and forth every day without activating the 1.6-liter internal combustion engine. The EPA rates Sorento at 74 MPGe combined, and says it’s capable of returning 33 MPG in gas-only mode.

Interior Design And Comfort

Nicely upholstered, thoughtfully equipped and attractively laid out, the Sorento PHEV does an impressive job of imitating a high-end luxury car. A theme to which you’ll find me returning quite often is that true elegance lies in simplicity. To that end, Sorento’s interior treatment is elegantly unfussy, with just exactly what you need and nothing more.

The Kia’s ambient lighting elements, combined with quilted upholstery and genuine stitching, quietly radiate distinction. What’s more, the materials employed speak to the soundness of the Sorento’s build quality. In all frankness, delivering features of this nature at such a comparatively reasonable price is a remarkable achievement.

A pair of heated captain’s chairs occupied the second row, while the front seats offered ventilation in addition to heat. The steering wheel was heated too. Retractable sunshades could be found in the rear doors. The third row is best left to small children but leg-, head-, shoulder- and hip room are more than adequate at the other four seating positions.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Anything you’ll find on a list of contemporary comfort and convenience tech can be found in the Sorento SX Prestige — as standard equipment. In fact, the model I experienced had but one bit of optional kit — carpeted floor mats. A 12.3-inch digital display supported the Kia’s instrumentation and infotainment functions. A Bose premium audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as a native navigation application, were also included.

The list of standard driver’s aids included blind spot monitoring and automated emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist were also included as standard equipment in the SX Prestige Sorento I drove. What’s more, the operation of these features was suitably intuitive.

Cargo And Storage Space

Storage cubbies and cupholders were placed logically, making them both useful and handy. The center console storage compartment was quite deep, as was the glove box. Cargo capacity with the third row deployed was kind of meager at 12.3 cubic feet. Folding it away, I got 38.5 cubic feet. Dropping the second and third rows netted a grand total of 75.5 cubic feet of carrying capacity. What’s more, the load floor was flat, even with both rows folded. Lift over height was modest, which made loading and unloading less of a chore.

2025 Kia Sorento PHEV SX Prestige Vs. Its Competitors

Kia Sorento PHEV SX Prestige Vs. Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Platinum

The Grand Highlander Hybrid Platinum boasts 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, which gives it a 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds. Towing capacity is rated at 5,000 pounds. Fuel economy is rated at 26 MPG in the city and 27 on the highway. While equipment levels are commensurate with that of the Sorento, the Toyota does offer a third row in which adults can be comfortable. The Highlander Hybrid also offers a maximum of 98 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Base price for the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Platinum is $59,520.

Kia Sorento PHEV SX Prestige Vs. Mazda CX-90 Hybrid Premium Plus

The Mazda CX-90’s plug-in powertrain is good for a total system output of 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Its 0-60 is a quoted 5.9 seconds. Maximum towing capacity is rated at 3,500 pounds. Estimated fuel economy is 24 MPG in the city and 27 on the highway. Here too, equipment levels are on par with the Toyota and Kia. However, the Mazda’s third row isn’t as spacious as that of the Toyota’s. The CX-90’s maximum cargo capacity is 96 cubic feet. However, where the Mazda really shines here is in its sheer athleticism, when compared to the Kia and the Toyota. Base price for the 2025 Mazda CX-90 Premium Plus is $59,405.

Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy

The Toyota and Mazda are more powerful and more capacious than the Kia. They are also capable of towing more. However, they also cost more — while trailing the Sorento’s fuel economy. Meanwhile, when it comes to equipment, style and build quality, the Kia is solidly in the hunt. Plus, when it comes to warranty coverage, the Kia handily bests both the Toyota and the Mazda, offering five years or 60,000 miles of basic coverage. Kia also provides 10 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage, as well as on the hybrid components.

The other two cap basic coverage at three years or 36,000 miles. Powertrain coverage is limited to five years or 60,000 miles and the hybrid systems are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. On the other hand, Toyota does include complimentary maintenance for two years, or 25,000 miles.

Still, though, when it comes down to it, the driving enthusiast in me is swayed by the Mazda’s more entertaining road manners. However, most people would find the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige to be the best value among these three competitors. Ultimately, the choice — as the old saying goes — is up to you.