Launched 18 months ago on our market, the fourth generation of the Kia Sorento was only available there so far with the 2.2 l Diesel of 202 hp. Its range now receives the reinforcement of an unprecedented simple hybrid variant (HEV), making the Korean the only one in the category of 7-seater family SUVs to offer this type of engine. Incidentally, its marketing brings the Korean brand’s offer in this area to 4 models, following the Niro, the K5 sedan and the electrified version of the new Sportage.
230 horsepower, for a moderate appetite
On the technical side, this hybrid version combines a “small” 1.6 l turbo petrol engine with 180 hp and a 44.2 kW (60 hp) electric motor for a total power of 230 hp and 350 Nm of torque. This set is associated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox and, optionally, a 2 or 4-wheel drive transmission.
Equipped with a small 1.49 kWh battery, the Sorento T-GDi Hybrid only admits a low range in electric mode, limited to a few kilometers. However, it allows it to achieve significant savings in consumption compared to a traditional heat engine. Kia thus announces an average of 6.4 l/100 km in the WLTP combined cycle, a rather interesting score for a vehicle of this size.
Prices close to Diesel versions
Positioned a notch higher than its Diesel holomue, the hybrid Kia Sorento is only offered in the two high finishes, “Design Plus” and “Executive Plus”. In addition to particularly complete equipment, the latter is distinguished above all by a battery of driving aids (anti-collision alert, autonomous emergency braking with detection of pedestrians and cyclists, adaptive cruise control and speed limiter, display of blind spots on the dashboard screen…).
As for the prices, they are respectively 540,000 and 590,000 DH, i.e. an additional cost for the same finish of 30,000 DH compared to the Diesel versions, from which it will however be necessary to deduct the exemption from the “Luxury tax”… and the good conscience of driving in a slightly more “green” car.
