Kia New Zealand has introduced two new Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) variants of the new Sorento, joining the existing diesel-powered variants in the current line-up.

According to Kia, the arrival of the two new powertrains signifies an important step in Kia’s progress towards a more electrified future.  Currently, Kia’s goal is that by 2030, EVs, hybrids and plug-in hybrids will make up 40% of all sales, targeting 1.6 million vehicles worldwide.

Todd McDonald, Managing Director of Kia New Zealand, says “The new Sorento PHEV has a CO2 emissions figure of just 36g/km, compared to an average of 171g/km for new vehicles currently sold in New Zealand”. 

Both the Sorento Hybrid and PHEV models feature a 1.6-litre T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct injection) engine, producing up to 132kW and 265Nm torque. This baseline performance is supplemented by an electric motor; a more powerful one in the PHEV which produces 67kW and 304Nm torque, while the Hybrid produces 44kW and 264Nm.

This means the combined outputs of the combustion engine and electric motors deliver 169kW and 350Nm torque in the Sorento Hybrid, while the PHEV has a combined output of 195kW and 350Nm torque.

Focusing on batteries, the Sorento PHEV uses a high-capacity 13.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, which boasts an all-electric range of up to 57 kilometres, plus a claimed combined fuel consumption of 1.6L/100km. The battery can be fully charged in around 3 hours 25 minutes, using the fast charge Type 2 cable. The battery also features an independent water-cooling system, and is placed low down in the centre of the body, between the two axles, keeping the centre of gravity low.

The Sorento Hybrid uses a smaller 1.49kWh Li-ion polymer battery, which returns a claimed combined fuel economy of 5.4L/100km and a CO2 figure of 124g/km in 2WD models, and 6.2L/100km and 141g/km in the AWD model.

Both variants receive Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, meaning you’ll receive a whole suite of safety tech. This includes Kia’s forward collision mitigation, blind spot view monitor, and multi collision braking, amongst many others.

The Sorento PHEV is being offered to customers in Premium specification only, with all-wheel-drive as standard. The Sorento Hybrid also comes in Premium specification only, but in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations.

Being the Premium specification, this means you’ll receive goodies such as a Head-up Display (HUD), wireless phone charger, heated and ventilated seats and a BOSE® 12-speaker surround-sound system.

Prices start from $80,990 + ORC for the Kia Sorento Hybrid 2WD, $82,990 + ORC for the Kia Sorento Hybrid AWD and $89,990 + ORC for the Kia Sorento PHEV AWD, including four years free servicing up to 40,000km and Kia’s 5-year/100,000km factory warranty programme.

Drivelife looks forward to testing the new Hybrid and PHEV Kia Sorento.

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