Is the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid Worth the Extra Cash?
The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid is finally out, but is it worth buying? We did a little digging with different Kia Sorento Hybrid reviews to determine if it’s worth the upgrades compared to the gasoline-powered option.
Is the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid a good SUV?
Yes, the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid is an excellent SUV option. It comes with a ton of standard features to really pack in extra value, and it’s pretty spacious for the entire family. Plus, it saves on gas.
The regular Kia Sorento begins at about $29,390, and the Kia Sorento Hybrid starts around $33,590. That’s about $4,200 more before the destination fee, and dealership fees have been added.
But the regular Sorento only gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The Sorento Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. According to Car and Driver, it will save about $1,750 in fuel over five years.
How does the Kia Sorento Hybrid drive?
The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid has a 59-hp electric motor that’s paired with a 1.6-liter inline-four engine to provide a combined 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid model with a bigger battery pack might be on the way.
The gasoline-powered Kia Sorento begins with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. But you can upgrade to the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder option for 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.
With the Kia Sorento Hybrid, you can tow up to 2,000 lbs if your trailer already has brakes. With the gas-powered Sorento, you can tow up to 3,500 lbs. Also, the Hybrid model is only offered in front-wheel drive. Go with the gas model if you need all-wheel drive.
The hybrid delivers a smooth, comfortable driving experience, but it’s not as fast as the turbocharged option. Both variants provide responsive steering, confident handling, and smooth braking.
What are the Sorento Hybrid Features like?
The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid may lack trunk space unless you fold the third-row seats down. There are 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row with up to 75.5 cubic feet of cargo space total.
Each row is spacious for adults. You’ll find that the third row even provides ample space and is easy to access. You can opt for captain’s chairs in the second row too. The seats are comfortable and supportive, and the dual-zone climate control works exceptionally well.
An 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system comes standard, but you can upgrade to the 10.3-inch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. You can add the optional wireless charging pad and 12-speaker bose sound system too.
There are eight USB ports in the cabin so that everyone can charge their devices. Plus, there is plenty of storage space for smaller items. The optional surround-view camera looks great and provides help in tight city areas.
Standard safety features include forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. You can add blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
