#2022 KIA SORENTO HYBRID DRIVER#

It’s also few litres down on boot space (616L vs 608L), but there’s still plenty of room and loading up in the real world always comes back the items you need to carry. There are a couple of downsides with the Sorento Hybrid compared to the diesel-powered version, including a slightly lower braked towing capacity (1650kg v 2000kg) and shorter service intervals (10,000km v 15,000km, across 12 months).

Its most obvious rival is the Toyota Kluger Hybrid, and on that front it’s more affordable than the equivalent Grande AWD model (from $75,700), as well as better in overall driving performance and other areas including cabin presentation.

The 2022 Kia Sorento HEV AWD is a very appealing, if slightly pricey, proposition in comparison with other models in the range, and with few hybrid options in the large SUV segment, it stands as the one to beat. In that situation, there was a few seconds’ delay before the powertrain delivered a somewhat aggressive response to the throttle input. There were a couple of instances where we caught it out, such as when slowing down for a give-way sign in default Eco drive mode and then getting back on the power before coming to a stop. Instead, it just switches between electric and petrol power of its own accord and for the most part it does a great job. Unlike the PHEV version, the Sorento HEV doesn’t have a dedicated electric mode. The force-fed 1.6-litre petrol engine will rumble into life once underway if a bit more power is needed or if the battery is low on juice, but even then, the motor continues to deliver fuss-free pulling power and responsiveness for an ultimately smooth urban driving experience. The 2022 Kia Sorento GT-Line HEV AWD is a smooth operator around town, the electric motor delivering refined and instantaneous torque from a standing start and the transmission ensuring smooth progress, with none of the hesitancy of a dual-clutch auto or elasticity of a CVT. It’s a cool feature but definitely more of a novelty than essential. Of these features, it’s the BVM in the instrument panel that’s the most obvious day-to-day on the basis it’s activated every time the indicators are deployed, and while the image is generally crisp and sharp, rain can render the system ineffective as the lenses become obscured. The GT-Line only adds to that expansiveness with a crisp 360-degree camera, blind spot view monitor (BVM) via the digital dash, electronic child safety lock and rear occupant alert.

#2022 KIA SORENTO HYBRID DRIVER#

The list of acronyms denoting advanced driver assist systems is genuinely vast – AEB (autonomous emergency braking), MCB (multi collision braking), HBA (high beam assist), LKA (lane keeping assist), LCA (lane change assist), PCA (parking collision avoidance), DAA (driver attentional alert), just to name a few. All 2022 Kia Sorento models carry a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating – based on testing in 2020 under the current tough assessment regime – and come loaded to the roof lining with active and passive safety features. The same largely goes for the safety and technology suite.

2022 kia sorento hybrid