Kia updates US market Sorento PHEV for 2023

The United States (US) arm of Kia announced that it has updated the US-spec Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) for 2023.

Per Kia America, the PHEV model of the Sorento nameplate has been streamlined to one trim, the SX-Prestige (SX-P).

Upon launch, the Sorento PHEV SX-P will be powered by a 1.6-liter internal combustion engine (ICE) assisted by a 66.9 kilowatt (kW) electric motor. It will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission to make a respectable 261 horsepower (hp) and about 350Nm of torque.

Kia America added that the Sorento PHEV SX-P scores a 79 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) rating based on the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) test, which translates to about 33.5 kilometers per liter (kpl). It also has an all-electric range (AER) of around 32 miles.

While the Kia Sorento SX-P was already fully equipped with an upscale interior, technology, standard all-wheel-drive (AWD), and an expansive suite of standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including Highway Driving Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance technology, it gains other creature comforts such as a retractable rear door sunshade, a 115-volt inverter that can charge household items such as a laptop, and standard Homelink.

Standard safety features to come with the 2023 Kia Sorento SX-P PHEV are Lane Following Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Junction Turning, Junction Assist, Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, Highway Driving Assist, Navigation Based Smart Cruise Control – Curve, Rear Parking Collision-Avoidance, a Blind View Monitor, and a Surround View Monitor.

Kia America said that the 2023 Kia Sorento SX-P PHEV is priced at US$49,890 (around P2.893 million).

In the Philippines, Kia’s Sorento lineup include the 4x2 EX and 4X2 SX variants. And while it lacks a PHEV model, the arrival of the Kia EV6 on Philippine soil could be the start of more electrified offerings from Kia. A Philippine-spec Kia Sorento PHEV might be in the pipeline soon. 

Photos from Kia America and Ruben Manahan IV

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