2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid SUV

The 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid is available in two trims only, namely S and EX. The base S trim is expected to be priced close to $34,000 approx. The base trim is well-equipped as it gets 17-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, simulated leather upholstery, LED headlights, 8.0-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, 6-speaker audio system, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 4-way manually adjustable passenger’s seat, heated front seats, roof rails, keyless entry, push-button start, etc. It is also equipped with multiple driver aids which will be discussed later.

*2021 Model year date used for reference

The top-tier trim for the Hybrid variant is the EX. It is expected to cost $37,000 approx. It gets all the features standard on the S trim and adds a few more. The USV on the EX trim offers LED fog lights, second-row captain's chairs, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a forward collision mitigation system, and some additional upgraded driver aids.

Which trim should you buy?

The top-tier trim is undoubtedly the better-equipped model as it gets multiple driver aids as standard. However, the features offered on the base trim S should suffice for a daily driver. We think that the S proves to be a good value-for-money SUV, hence it is our recommendation as well. However, for additional comfort, opting for the top trim would be a better choice.

Release date:

The 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid is expected to roll out later this year.

Hybrid cars are known for their brilliant fuel economy, and the SUVs in this segment don’t disappoint us with their frugal fuel economies. The 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid manages to provide 39 mpg in the cities, 35 mpg on the highways, which results in a combined fuel economy of 37 mpg. The only SUV which manages to beat it is the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. It manages to provide a fuel economy of 41/38/40 (city/highway/combined), which is the best in class.

*2021 Model year date used for reference

Something which is quite unmatched by any of the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid’s rivals is the fuel tank capacity. The Sorento Hybrid can hold up to 17.7 gallons of fuel which helps it attain an overall range of 655 miles combined. Only the Toyota RAV4 offers the next biggest tank of 14.5 gallons, but it is nowhere near the Sorento but it is more economical than the Sorento, returning 41 miles in the city and 38 miles on the highway. Despite its class-leading fuel economy, the RAV4 Hybrid manages to give a combined overall range of 580 miles only, which is around 70 miles less than what Sorento offers in the competition. 

The interior of the Kia Sorento Hybrid received a massive makeover when it was newly introduced in 2021. Its design is unusually attractive and filled with high-quality materials and high-tech features. The Sorento can accommodate either 6 or 7 passengers depending upon your choice of second-row seats. Opting for captain chairs will make it 6, whereas the bench seat will make it a total of 7. The dashboard and center console are beautifully designed and tastefully dealt with. The dashboard sits high, eating up a little of the driver’s exterior visibility. Soft plastic and metal touches make the interior look luxurious and modern.

The front two rows of seats have ample space regardless of the captain chairs or bench seats in the second row. There’s plenty of space for tall adults, but that is not the case in the third row. It is cramped with comparatively less space in terms of headroom and legroom. It is best suited for kids or short adults only. The seats are premium leatherette upholstered. The driver’s seat is 8-way power-adjustable, while the passenger’s seat is 4-way manual adjustable. Features like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats also come in handy.

As all of the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid’s competitors offer 5 seats as standard, all of them have better cargo space than the Sorento. Kia has a capacity of 16 cubic feet, whereas the class-leading capacity is of the Hyundai Tucson hybrid which can hold up to 38.7 cubic feet, followed by the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which can hold up to 37.6 cubic feet of luggage. The Toyota RAV-R offers plenty of headroom in the rear row, measuring 39.5 inches, but its overall rear row room is slightly behind the Kia by a considerable margin. Some of the standout interior features include:

• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Premium leatherette upholstered seats
• Heated front seats
• 50-50 folding Captain chairs
• Keyless entry
• Push-button start
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Second-row captain's chairs
• Wireless phone charger

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid is fitted with an 8.0-inch touchscreen display as its infotainment system. This system is paired to a 6-speaker audio system and is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. The EX trim features a wireless smartphone charging pad as well. Unlike the huge 10.25-inch touchscreen display featured in the higher non-hybrid version of the Sorento, this system is easy to use with simple functions and controls.

A cluster of buttons and knobs are placed right below the screen, surrounded by air vents. Apart from the above features, you can also opt for a rear-seat entertainment system. Standout infotainment features include:

• 8.0-inch touchscreen display
• AM/FM stereo
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Voice recognition
• Rear seat entertainment system (Optional)
• Speed Compensated Volume Control
• Steering Wheel Controls and Radio Data System

The updated exterior styling that the Sorento received in 2021 has been carried forward for the 2022 version as well. The exterior is attractive, contemporary, and muscular simultaneously. The front fascia comprises a uniquely shaped grille with the new Kia logo sitting in the middle. It is surrounded by futuristic internally three slotted LED headlamps. The redesigned bumper has no separate fog light housing. The fog lights are incorporated as a part of the bumper itself. It also features a slightly contoured hood which complements the aggressive look of the headlights. The side profile of the car is characterized by its long and sloping roofline. 

The Sorento Hybrid is fitted with 17-inch wheels regardless of the trim. Roof rails and body-colored power adjusting manual-folding heated side-view mirrors are standard on both trims, whereas a panoramic sunroof is only available as a standalone option in both trims. The Panoramic sunroof totally oozes the ambiance inside the car and makes long journeys splendid. The rear end of the car features eye-catching, modern horizontally two-slotted LED taillights. It also features a rear lip spoiler, rear tailgate with power locks, Sorento chrome lettering just above the extravagant-looking rear bumper. Overall, the look of the new Sorento Hybrid is among the best in its class, period.

Among the competition, the Kia Sorento Hybrid has a comparatively shorter stance than its rivals as it is only 6.9 inches off the ground, whereas the 2021 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid has the most ground clearance of 8.3 inches. On the other hand, the Toyota RAV4 measures the shortest in length at 180.9 inches. However, the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid has the longest wheelbase and is also the longest in terms of length. Some of the highlights and optional exterior features include:

• Auto On/Off projector-beam headlights with LED DRLs
• Body-colored power adjusting manual-folding heated side-view mirrors
• Panoramic sunroof (optional)
• 17-inch wheels
• Rear lip spoiler
• Variable Intermittent Wipers
• Deep Tinted Glass
• Black Grille w/Chrome Surround
• Smart Power Liftgate Power Liftgate Rear Cargo Access (optional)
• Chrome Side Windows Trim and Black Front Windshield Trim

The exterior of this hybrid SUV is made up of sturdy materials, which ensure the quality of the vehicle and the safety of the passengers inside. The all-new Kia Sorento has not been tested by both NHTSA and IIHS yet, hence we compare the crash test results of the previous year's model. The 2021 Sorento was crash-tested by the IIHS but not the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded it an overall rating of “Good” and it was also named “2021 Top Safety Pick”. Therefore, we expect the new model to be even more robust and sturdy. The Sorento Hybrid is packed with numerous safety and driver-assist features. Some of the Standout safety features are listed below:

• Blind-spot monitoring system
• Smart cruise control with stop and go system
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Surround-view monitor
• Intelligent speed limit assistance
• Lane departure warning with lane keep assist
• A forward collision mitigation system
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Rear parking sensors
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) And Roll Stability Control (RSC)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist-Ped & Cyclist
• Back-Up Camera

2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid vs 2021 Hyundai Tucson hybrid

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid turns out to be slightly more expensive than the Sorento. Being sister brands, they both offer a similar powertrain under their hood, but the Kia is more economical between the two. Moreover, the Sorento hybrid is a unique offering in the segment as it is the only three-row SUV in this price bracket. Kia has excellent reliability and advanced driver assistance features as standard. The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, on the other hand, offers an AWD drivetrain that is not available on the Sorento, which makes the Tucson a better vehicle for off-roading. The 7-seater Sorento proves to be more fun and practical than the 5-seater Hyundai Tucson in every way.

2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid vs 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is the closest rival to the 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid. It offers a bigger engine, which is just slightly underpowered than the Kia. It outperforms the Kia in terms of fuel economy and has a class-leading cargo space as well. It is also a handsome-looking SUV and looks equally good. It is also one of the most affordable SUVs in the segment. If you value cargo space over extra seats and also want a good off-roading SUV, then the Toyota is undoubtedly the better choice.

2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid is less expensive than the Sorento Hybrid. In terms of looks and styling, the Kia Sorento Hybrid is way ahead of the Honda CR-V Hybrid. The CR-V has better off-road capabilities than the Kia but falls short in terms of range, owing to its small fuel tank of 14.5 gallons. It is also more compact than the Sorento, which falls behind in terms of comfort. The interior of the Kia is quite unmatched despite its low cargo space. As far as our choice goes, we prefer the Kia despite missing out on the AWD drivetrain.

The 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid is expected to be priced around $34,000, which is a competitive price tag for an SUV which can seat up to 7 passengers. After its redesign in 2021, it is more attractive than ever. It features one of the best interiors and is also the most powerful Hybrid SUV in its class. The two fronts where it falls behind the rest of the competition are the fuel economy and the restricted cargo space. Apart from that, it easily stands against its rivals and makes the most sense when it comes to buying an SUV. With highly reliable safety and driver-assist features, the 2022 Sorento Hybrid proves to be a great all-around package that you don’t want to miss out on.