The Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SUV: The Complete Guide For India

---

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram

---

Electric Cars: The Basics

---

For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

---

Sign up to the newsletter

---

The Kia Sorento PHEV SUV

---

Kia Corporation, the South Korean automotive manufacturer is fast developing a portfolio of lower emission ‘eco’ vehicles, to include zero-emission battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and mild hybrids. The BEVs and PHEVs range includes:

• The all-electric Kia Niro EV
• The all-electric Kia Soul EV
• The all-electric Kia EV6
• The all-electric Kia EV9
• Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
• Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
• Kia XCeed Plug-In Hybrid
• Kia Ceed Sportswagon Plug-In Hybrid
• The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia Sorento mid-sized SUV has been manufactured since 2002. The current fourth-generation Sorento was unveiled in February 2020. The Kia Sorento is also available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

For larger families or company-car drivers that need more passenger seats, the 7-seater Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is an option worth serious consideration. Moreover, despite the increase in the availability of electric vehicles (EVs), the availability of seven-seater electric cars still remains limited.

The Kia Sorento PHEV pairs a 1.6-litre T-GDi ISG petrol engine with an electric motor, powered by an onboard EV battery. The automotive manufacturer claims a fuel economy up to 1.6 l/100km for the electric vehicle (EV). Of course the real-world fuel economy will depend on a number of factors, but none as influential as using the e-mode.

Bottom-line, to increase the fuel economy of the vehicle and lower the driving costs, the PHEV should be driven as much as possible on the electric mode. If the e-SUV is driven with limited use of the pure electric mode, expect a fuel economy closer to the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) variant.

Given the WLTP certified emission-free electric range is 57 km, and most commutes are short, there is much scope for taking advantage of electric driving to save money. The PHEV has a 13.8 kWh onboard EV battery, which is reasonably standard for a PHEV of this size.

However, expect the real-world electric range to be closer to 50 km. The EV range is impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, speed, load, regenerative braking, road condition, weather, wheel size and a lot more.

Taking advantage of the EV range will also require inculcating a habit of charging the EV on a regular basis, which again is as easy as charging a smartphone. We at e-zoomed recommend the use of a dedicated EV charging station, like easee to charge the EV. We do not encourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug.

Charging the EV using a single-phase EV charger will take up to 3 hours 25 minutes (0% → 100%). Of course, if you top up on a regular basis, the charging time will be faster. If you insist on using a domestic 3-PIN plug, it will take over 5 hours to charge up to 100%. The EV incorporates a 3.3 kW AC onboard charger and is not capable of DC fast charging.

In terms of practicality, the EV has much to offer. The interior seven-seater cabin is spacious, with ample headroom and legroom for front and rear seat passengers, to include the third row. Despite the placement of the onboard EV battery, the boot space has not been impacted (604 L).

The standard level of technology is decent, to include: 10.25″ touchscreen satellite navigation, Apple Car Play, Android Auto, reversing camera, blind-spot monitor camera, highway driving assist, remote smart park assist and more. The EV has been awarded a Five-Star NCAP Safety Rating.

The performance of the electric SUV is reasonable. The all-wheel drive Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can achieve 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds, also benefiting from instant torque. The hybrid drivetrain (1.6-litre T-GDi/electric motor) delivers a maximum power of 261 bhp (torque 350 Nm), sufficient for city and motorway driving. The top speed is 193 km/h.

The EV has claimed tailpipe emissions up to 38g CO2/km. Again, substantially lower than the emissions of the conventional combustion engine variant. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The Kia plug-in electric car is not available in India.

---

PROS	CONS
A seven-seater with ample space. Practical for families	Not as affordable. Other better priced alternatives available
Cheap to run on electric mode	Ride quality not as refined
Good standard specifications	On board charger limited to 3.3 kW. DC charging not available

---

The Kia Sorento PHEV SUV (credit: KIA)

---

At A Glance
EV Type:	Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Vehicle Type:	SUV
Engine:	Petrol-Electric
Available In India:	No

---

Trims (1 Option)
Kia Sorento PHEV

---

EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 13.8 kWh
Charging:	DC charging not available. On board charger: 3.3 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3 hrs 25 mins)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	38g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	7 years or 160,000 km

---

Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

---

Dimensions
Height (mm):	1700
Width (mm):	1900
Length (mm):	4810
Wheelbase (mm):	2815
Turning Circle (m):	11.6
Boot Space (L):	604

---

1.6 T-GDi PHEV
EV Battery Capacity:	13.8 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	57 km
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km):	N/A
Fuel Consumption (l/100km):	1.6
Charging:	DC charging not available. On board charger: 3.3 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3 hrs 25 mins)
Top Speed:	193 km/h
0-100 km/h:	8.7 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Max Power (bhp):	261
Torque (Nm):	350
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	7
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	2,099
Colours:	6
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

---

Types Of Electric Vehicles (EVs)

---

“Electric vehicle” is an umbrella term, and a broad one at that. There are a number of different types of electric vehicles (EVs), each with its distinct characteristics and advantages. These include:

• BEVs: Battery-electric vehicles (pure electric)
• PHEVs: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) combined)
• MHEVs: Mild hybrid electric vehicles (internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel) along with regenerative braking)
• FCEVs: Fuel cell electric vehicle (electric with hydrogen as fuel)

The above “types” are powered either entirely or partially by electric energy and have different environmental impacts.

---

Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

---

Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), also known as pure electric vehicles, are powered entirely by electricity (i.e. the vehicle does not have a conventional internal combustion engine). BEVs have zero-tailpipe emissions and help improve local air quality.

BEVs are also very economical to drive. A BEV can cost as little as Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive. Examples of best-selling EVs include, the all-electric Tesla Model 3 and the all-electric Renault Zoe. A BEV is charged by plugging in the electric vehicle to a dedicated electric car charging station (home or public charging stations). BEVs are well suited for those living in towns, cities and urban centres. Of course, battery-electric vehicles are also suitable for those living in rural settings.

---

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

---

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) differ from battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), in that, PHEVs use both a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric engine for propulsion. Plug-in hybrid vehicles combine the advantages of electric driving and internal combustion engine driving.

On shorter distances, the PHEV uses the electric mode to drive emission-free, using the on-board EV battery and regenerative braking. For longer distances, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles switches to using the internal combustion engine.

With a PHEV, the vehicle can cost as little Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive on e-mode, without any tailpipe pollution, and also be driven long-distances, without the fear of range anxiety! Most PHEVs have an EV battery of up to 15 kWh and can achieve a zero-emission electric range of up to 50 kilometres. No wonder PHEVs are fast becoming popular globally, with much potential or India. Like a BEV, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is charged by using an external power source (EV charging point) for charging.

PHEVs are suitable for those that drive long-distances on a regular basis but want to lower the negative environmental impact from tailpipe pollution. PHEVs are also suitable for those individuals and families that are seeking to save money by taking advantage of electric driving. The Volvo XC40 PHEV and the Volkswagen Golf 8 are good examples of PHEVs.

---

Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs)

---

Mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) are a limited form of electric driving. These vehicles also use hybrid technologies (electric driving and internal combustion engine), but the EV battery is much smaller than a BEV or PHEV. Moreover, in a mild hybrid, the EV battery cannot be charged via an external source (i.e. EV charging station).

In a MHEV, the battery is charged by capturing the energy released during braking, a process known as regenerative braking. MHEVs have lower tailpipe emissions, and are more economical to own, run and maintain than petrol and diesel cars.

MHEVs are a better option than a petrol or diesel car, but not as good an option as a BEV or PHEV. Mild hybrids are well suited for those living in regions with limited charging infrastructure. Again, MHEVs have great potential in India, given the limited public EV charging infrastructure.

The Toyota Prius is a good example of a mild hybrid electric vehicle.

---

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)

---

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) also called hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, have a fuel cell stack that uses hydrogen to generate the electricity needed to power the electric vehicle. The fuel cell generates electricity and pure water vapour that can escape via the tailpipe.

It is capable of generating electricity as long as there is a steady supply of hydrogen. Fuel cell electric vehicles can be refuelled with hydrogen at purpose built filling stations. Filling an FEC takes no more than five minutes.

FCEVs have a range of about 500 kilometers or more between refueling. Today, the only and major limitation is the very limited hydrogen refuelling station network globally. The Toyota Mirai FCEV is a good example of this type of EV.

---

While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.

---

Related articles

---