Are you looking for a 3-row SUV with exceptional fuel economy? The 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid might be the perfect solution. The Sorento Hybrid is loaded with features in typical Kia fashion, offering class-leading safety systems and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Being a newer design, the Sorento holds up well when placed beside the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Ford Explorer Hybrid. And while not as powerful as the non-hybrid Sorento, the Sorento Hybrid performs at acceptable levels, with ample torque for rapid acceleration and passing.
We should point out that the Sorento Hybrid’s standard 2nd-row captain’s chair seating limits total passenger capacity to six, and its hybrid powertrain reduces towing to just 2,000 pounds vs. the non-hybrid’s 3,500 pounds.
The 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid comes in two trim levels: EX and SX Prestige.
Sorento Hybrid EX
Starts at $36,690 | See listings
- Syntex upholstery
- 10.25-inch touchscreen
- Middle-row captain’s chairs
- Power front seats with heat
- 6-speaker audio
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Navigation-linked smart cruise control
- Highway Driving Assist
- Wireless smartphone charger
- Smart power liftgate
- Available panoramic sunroof
- Power side mirrors with heat
- LED headlights
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- See more
Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige
Starts at $42,490 | See listings
- Leather upholstery
- 14-way power driver’s seat with thigh extensions
- 12.3-inch digital instrument panel
- 12-speaker Bose Premium audio
- LED projector headlights/daytime running lights
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Blind-Spot View Monitor/Surround View Monitor
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Power point in rear cargo area
- Power-folding side mirrors with heat
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2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX: $36,690
The 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX comes standard with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive (AWD), aided by a center-locking differential, is available for an extra $1,800.
Powering the Sorento Hybrid is a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and lithium-ion polymer battery pack, producing a combined 277 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
Kia’s Drive Mode Select comes standard. It varies throttle response and gearshifts, with driver-selectable settings for Eco, Sport, and Comfort, as well as an automatic Smart mode and customizable Custom mode.
Kia’s Smart Key proximity key fob allows the doors to be unlocked simply by touching a button on the door handle.
Along with mandatory safety equipment such as front, front side-impact, and three-row side curtain airbags, the Sorento Hybrid includes an impressive list of standard driver-assist systems. The grouping consists of automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, a blind-spot monitor with collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic detection with reverse braking.
Also standard are a lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist. Kia’s Lane Follow Assist automatically steers the vehicle, keeping it centered between lane markings. Standard Intelligent Speed Assist alerts the driver to the posted speed limit with an icon in the instrument cluster.
Wrapping up the Sorento Hybrid’s driver aids is a driver attention monitor with lead vehicle departure warning (alerts the driver when the vehicle in front has pulled away), rear parking sensors, a rearview monitor, and a rear occupant alert system with ultrasonic sensors to remind the driver to check the back seats. Safe Exit Assist warns passengers from exiting when the rear radar sensors detect traffic approaching from behind.
Additional systems include cyclist detection for the forward collision warning and avoidance system, front parking sensors, Junction Turning Assist (can apply the brakes to avoid a collision when making a left turn across traffic), and Highway Driving Assist, which controls steering, acceleration, and braking on highways where information is available.
In the Sorento Hybrid’s interior, we find SynTex synthetic upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar support, heated front seats, 2nd-row one-touch sliding and folding captain’s chair seating, and a 50/50 split-folding and reclining 3rd-row seat.
Convenience features include a leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel with Bluetooth, audio, and cruise controls. Also standard is a 4.2-inch trip computer display, push-button start (part of the Smart Key system), dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents, and a one-touch auto up/down power driver’s window.
Finally, we come to the Sorento Hybrid’s infotainment system, a robust unit. It includes a 10.25-inch color touchscreen with built-in voice-activated navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system allows for natural language voice recognition that lets you speak casually when controlling various voice-activated systems. A 6-speaker AM/FM/HD radio is also standard.
Kia Connect lets you use a smartphone to activate remote start, set the interior climate controls, or locate your vehicle in a crowded parking lot. The Sorento Hybrid also offers several charging and connection ports, including a data port in the front console, three USB charging ports in the second row, and two additional charge ports in the third row. Two 12-volt outlets, one in the front console and one in the rear cargo area, are also standard.
On the outside, the Sorento Hybrid EX is highlighted by a dark Hyper Silver grille, a gloss-black rear spoiler, LED fog lights, and a Smart power rear liftgate that activates when standing behind it with the key fob.
New for 2023 on the Sorento Hybrid EX are an 8-way power front passenger seat and a frameless rearview mirror.
An optional Panoramic Sunroof Package adds a panoramic glass sunroof and LED interior lighting.
With the $1,325 destination charge, the 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX comes to $38,015. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, expect a monthly payment of around $717. See 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX models for sale near you
2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX includes:
- Smart Cruise Control-Curve with Stop & Go – When using adaptive cruise control, the system can come to a complete stop and resume once traffic begins to move. Linked to the Sorento’s built-in navigation, the system can also anticipate sharp or dangerous curves and slow the vehicle before reaching them.
- Wireless charging pad – This pad allows wireless charging of a compatible smartphone, eliminating unsightly dangling wires on the dash.
- Smart power liftgate – With the key fob in hand, one needs only stand behind the liftgate for a few seconds, after which the power liftgate automatically opens.
- Available panoramic sunroof – This turns most of the roof into a giant glass window that can partially open or completely be covered by a power sliding sunshade.
2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige: $42,490
The 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige makes its debut as a new flagship AWD model that comes loaded with luxury.
While the hybrid powertrain remains unchanged, the SX Prestige lays on the comfort and convenience with items like perforated leather upholstery, a smart power liftgate, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, a wireless charging pad, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
Other SX Prestige goodness includes 19-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, additional exterior LED lighting including LED projector headlights, power-folding side mirrors, a Blind-Spot View Monitor, a Surround View Monitor, and a parking collision avoidance program that works in forward or reverse.
The SX Prestige interior adds retractable rear door sunshades, a heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, and heated and ventilated front seats, including a 14-way power driver’s seat with 4-way power lumbar and 2-way power thigh extension, and a 10-way power passenger seat with 2-way power lumbar support. Memory for the driver’s seat and mirrors comes standard, as does cargo bay 115-volt inverter, one-touch up/down power windows, and HomeLink garage door opener.
The Panoramic Sunroof Package is the only option.
With the $1,325 destination charge, the 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX-P costs $43,815. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, expect a monthly payment of around $827. See 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige models for sale near you
2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige includes:
- Surround View Monitor – This technology, which gives you a bird’s eye of the area immediately surrounding the Sorento Hybrid SX-P, improves safety in driveways and parking lots.
- Blind-Spot View Monitor – When you signal left or right, a video image of the Sorento Hybrid’s respective rear three-quarter blind spot appears on the instrument panel, helping to make your lane changes much safer.
