Kia Canada introduced the first-ever Sorento Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid, the initial product offering out of seven all-new plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles under the brand’s Plan S strategy.
Kia announced the 4th generation Sorento just last year, which delivered on its promise to be stronger, lighter, roomier and more technologically advanced than previous generations. This ‘greener’ 3-row, SUV with unmatched cargo utility, all-wheel drive and exceptional fuel efficiency is a natural evolution of this longstanding nameplate in Canada.
The Sorento PHEV will officially debut at the Montreal Electric Vehicle show September 17 – 19 and at the Quebec City EV show October 1-3, 2021. Alongside Kia’s other EV models, the Soul EV and Niro EV, attendees will be among the first to see and test drive the brand- new Sorento PHEV. Kia representatives will also be available to provide information about how HEV, PHEVs and EVs can be conveniently integrated into everyday life and will be busting myths and common misconceptions about green vehicle ownership.
The Sorento PHEV is available in dealerships this month with a starting price of $44,995 MSRP.
Dynamic Styling, Inside and Out
The exterior of the 2022 Sorento HEV/PHEV maintains its sharp, modern lines, accentuated with high-tech details – elevating the entire Sorento experience beyond a standard SUV.
- Kia’s modernized “tiger face,” with “eyeline” details and a wide and thin front grille extending into the headlight and hood structure
- The hood edge wraps around the body side and integrates into the rear shoulder line, enhancing length and width
- Standard LED headlamps and optional signature LED forward lighting includes daytime running lights. Headlamp and DRL modules are separated for a high-tech look
- Strong side character line emphasizes muscular and athletic profile
- Available split-vertical LED taillights
- Two new wheel designs in 17-inches (LX HEV) and 19-inches (EX HEV + all PHEV trims)
The interior continues the strong, solid and sophisticated modernity of the exterior. Following a credo of “Refined Boldness,” the interior designers instilled the cabin with unexpected materials to cast a striking effect and introduce two new interior colour options:
- Available navy blue leather (SX only)
- Available light grey leather (SX only)
- Unique to HEV/PHEV includes standard Shift by Wire and available ambient lighting
Built on a Strong Foundation
The 2022 Sorento is built on the same all-new 3rd generation “N3” platform as the all-new 2021 model, that is lighter and stronger than previous models. Features include:
- Features the same wheelbase of 35mm (1.37 inches) for more interior space
- Average tensile strength remains improved by 4% compared to the previous Sorento
- Includes improved driving dynamics, including acceleration, ride and handling, and noise vibration and harshness (NVH)
Green Powertrain Options
Two powertrains are offered on the 2022 Sorento HEV/PHEV, each with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), shift-by-wire, drive mode select and exceptional fuel economy:
- Hybrid (HEV):
- 1.6L-Turbo 4 cylinder GDI with 270V AC Lithium Ion Polymer battery
- 227 hp and 258 lb-ft or torque
- 6.4 / 7.0 estimated fuel economy (L/100km city/highway) – comparable to the Kia Forte sedan
- Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV):
- 1.6L-Turbo 4 cylinder GDI with 360V AC Lithium Ion Polymer battery
- Up to 51 kilometers of EV range
- 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque
- 2.8 / 3.2 estimated fuel economy (L/100km city/highway) – just over two times the fuel efficiency of a Kia Forte
The Latest in Technology and Safety
All Sorento models are loaded with an extensive list of advanced technology, similar to the 2021 model:
- Available features include: 12.3-in. full digital meter cluster (a Sorento first in 2021 and first for any Kia Canada SUV)
- Available surround View Monitor utilizes four cameras to provide a 360-degree perspective around the vehicle and Blind View Monitor projects live video view of adjacent lanes in the instrument cluster and is activated via the turn signal
- Up to 8 USB ports (trim level dependent)
- 8-inch or available 10.25-inch high-resolution color touchscreen displayi
- Available split-screen functionality
- Available UVO Intelligence link telematics offers an array of advanced connected vehicle features, such as:
- Connected Routingii: A new cloud-based route calculation system that uses UVO cloud to calculate the optimal route using real-time maps, predicted upcoming traffic info based on historical information and AI to learn the preferred routes of users
- Connected Weatheriii: Provides weather information across North America
- Advanced notifications:
- Engine Idle Notification and Automatic Engine Shut Off notifies the driver via the UVO link app if the engine is left idling and, after a pre-selected time, turns off the engine
- Rear Occupancy Alert can send push notification alerts via the UVO Intelligence app if movement is detected inside the vehicle
- SOS Connect and Roadside Assistance will automatically attempt to call 911 Call Centre via the built-in UVO modem if an airbag deploys. For non-emergencies, it can connect with 24/7 roadside assistance and share the vehicle’s location
- Also available with UVO Intelligence, are new features specifically for the PHEV model:
- Remote Charging Control
- Remote Charging Schedule
- Target State of Charge Setting
This 4th generation Sorento is equipped with the leading-edge technology of Kia’s Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)iv:
- Standard Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and -Avoidance Assist (FCA): Builds on FCW by assisting the driver when braking to help prevent a collision or lessen the effects in certain conditions if a vehicle or object is detected in front including vehicle or pedestrian
- Standard Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and Land Following Assist (LFA): Follows lane markings that the system detects and provides steering inputs to help maintain the vehicle in the center of the lane
- Available Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA): Under certain conditions, can detect vehicles traveling in the next lane. When a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, the vehicle brakes the outer wheel under certain conditions to help return the vehicle to its lane
- Available Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA): Helps detect most approaching cross traffic when in reverse. When approaching cross traffic is detected, the system alerts the driver and applies brakes if necessary
- Available Parking Collision Avoidance Assist (PCA-R): Uses rear view camera and rear ultrasonic sensors to help detect most pedestrians or nearby obstacles when the vehicle backs out of a parking spot, warning drivers with a chime and can engage brakes to prevent a collision
- Available Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA) – Junction Turning (FCA-JT): Assists the driver in braking to help prevent a collision or lessen the effects in certain conditions when turning left at an intersection and an oncoming vehicle is approaching
- Available Navigation Based Smart Cruise Control-Curve (NSCC-C): leverages the navigation system to lower the vehicle’s speed proactively before upcoming curves
- Available Highway Driving Assist (HDA)v: Uses federal highway speed limit information from the navigation system and, under certain conditions, will automatically adjust speed to be within the posted speed limit and maintain distance with the vehicle detected in front
- Available Safe Exist Assist (SEA)vi: Can alert the driver or passengers opening their door not to exit the vehicle when the system detects approaching traffic. When detected, a chime sounds. The system can intervene to lock the rear doors when the vehicle is equipped with available Power Child Lock
