The 2022 Kia Sorento line-up is now on sale in Australia, headlined by the addition of a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) engine option on the top-spec GT-Line.

    UPDATE, 29/4/22: The Sorento GT-Line Hybrid has officially joined the range, priced from $66,750 plus on-road costs. Get all the details here.

    UPDATE, 07/02/22: Kia Australia has given the Sorento a price increase of $800 to $1000, depending on the trim level. Pricing now starts at $47,650 before on-road costs for the Sorento S petrol V6 front-wheel drive.

    Kia attributes the price increases to external factors such as exchange rates and business costs, and the Sorento is among several Kia models lines so affected. There have been no spec changes apart from the new badges.

    Kia has also increased its national drive-away pricing across the Sorento range by $1500 to $1700, depending on the trim level. The entry-level Sorento S petrol V6 front-wheel drive is now $50,790 drive-away.

    Specification-wise, not much has changed for MY22 beyond the company’s new logo appearing inside and out. Pricing has crept up since the latest Sorento launched in 2020.

    During the early stages of 2022 we’ll also see the introduction of the Kia Sorento Hybrid, which has been confirmed in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variations for our market.

    The two hybrids will likely be offered solely in GT-Line specification at launch, and slot in between the GT-Line diesel and PHEV in terms of pricing.

    Watch Paul’s video review of the 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid

    Pricing (from March 1, 2022)

    • 2022 Kia Sorento S V6 FWD: $47,650 (+$800)
    • 2022 Kia Sorento Sport V6 FWD: $50,270 (+$800)
    • 2022 Kia Sorento Sport+ V6 FWD: $54,850 (+$1000)
    • 2022 Kia Sorento GT-Line V6 FWD: $62,070 (+$1000)
    • 2022 Kia Sorento S Diesel AWD: $50,650 (+$800)
    • 2022 Kia Sorento Sport Diesel AWD: $53,270 (+$800)
    • 2022 Kia Sorento Sport+ Diesel AWD: $57,850 (+$1000)
    • 2022 Kia Sorento GT-Line Diesel AWD: $65,070 (+$1000)
    • 2022 Kia Sorento GT-Line HEV FWD: $66,750 (NEW)
    • 2022 Kia Sorento GT-Line HEV AWD: $69,750 (NEW)
    • 2022 Kia Sorento GT-Line PHEV AWD: $80,330 (+$1000)

    All prices exclude on-road costs

    Options

    • Premium paint: $695 (all variants)

    Engines

    Three powertrain options are available in the 2022 Kia Sorento line-up – one petrol, one diesel, and one petrol-electric plug-in hybrid.

    Sorento V6 models are powered by a 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated V6 developing 200kW (6300rpm) and 332Nm (5000rpm), driving the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

    Opting for the diesel gets you a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel developing 148kW (3800rpm) and 440Nm (1750-2750rpm), driving all four wheels via an eight-speed wet-type dual-clutch automatic and on-demand all-wheel drive with lock mode.

    The Sorento Hybrid uses a 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine teamed with a 44kW/264Nm e-motor for system outputs of 169kW and 350Nm. The lithium-ion polymer battery quotes a capacity of 1kWh.

    The PHEV likewise features a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, teamed with a larger 14kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack and more powerful transmission-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor.

    The petrol engine develops 132kW (5500rpm) and 265Nm (1500-4500rpm) on its own, while the e-motor puts out 67kW (2100rpm-3300rpm) and 304Nm (0-2100rpm). System outputs are rated at 195kW and 350Nm.

    All of the Sorento’s engine options wear the brand’s Smartstream branding, which signifies the latest generation of Hyundai and Kia’s powertrain technologies designed to cut fuel use and emissions while enhancing performance.

    Diesel versions feature a particulate filter (DPF), though there’s no idle stop/start tech like overseas markets.

    Fuel Economy

    The claimed combined fuel consumption figures for each powertrain are as follows:

    • 3.5 V6 FWD: 9.7L/100km
    • 2.2D AWD: 6.1L/100km
    • 1.6T HEV FWD: 5.3L/100km
    • 1.6T HEV AWD: 5.8km
    • 1.6T PHEV AWD: 1.6L/100km

    The combined CO2 emissions claims for each powertrain are as follows:

    • 3.5 V6 FWD: 222g/km
    • 2.2D AWD: 159g/km
    • 1.6T HEV FWD: N/A
    • 1.6T HEV AWD: N/A
    • 1.6T PHEV AWD: 36g/km

    Further, the Sorento PHEV can travel up to 68 kilometres (NEDC) per full charge, using a claimed 161Wh/km (NEDC) or 16.1kWh/100km. The plug-in supports AC single-phase charging up to 3.3kW, a rate at which will replenish the 14kWh battery from 15 to 95 per cent in 3 hours 25 minutes.

    The 3.5 V6 and PHEV models can run on 91 RON unleaded fuel, while all versions of the Sorento are fitted with a 67-litre fuel tank.

    Servicing and Warranty

    The Kia Sorento range is covered by the brand’s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty which also includes seven years of capped-price servicing and up to eight years of roadside assistance if maintained by your Kia dealer.

    Additionally, the Sorento Hybrid’s and Plug-in Hybrid’s high-voltage components (e-motor, battery etc.) are covered by a seven-year, 150,000-kilometre warranty.

    See service costs for each powertrain below:

    3.5 V6 FWD

    • 1 year/15,000km: $338
    • 2 years/30,000km: $533
    • 3 years/45,00km: $411
    • 4 years/60,000km: $725
    • 5 years/75,000km: $381
    • 6 years/90,000km: $657
    • 7 years/105,000km: $404

    2.2D AWD

    • 1 year/15,000km: $335
    • 2 years/30,000km: $544
    • 3 years/45,00km: $408
    • 4 years/60,000km: $729
    • 5 years/75,000km: $377
    • 6 years/90,000km: $670
    • 7 years/105,000km: $400

    1.6T PHEV AWD

    • 1 year/10,000km: $323
    • 2 years/20,000km: $663
    • 3 years/30,00km: $720
    • 4 years/40,000km: $1010
    • 5 years/50,000km: $364
    • 6 years/60,000km: $1168
    • 7 years/70,000km: $655

    *Sorento HEV FWD + HEV AWD service pricing $TBA

    Safety

    The Kia Sorento wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on tests conducted by Euro NCAP in 2020. All variants are now covered by this rating, including petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.

    Category scores include 82 per cent for adult occupant protection, 85 per cent for child occupant protection, 63 per cent for vulnerable road users protection and 89 per cent for safety assist.

    A key reason for the lower adult occupant score was protection of the driver’s chest and upper legs in the 50km/h frontal offset test, which was rated Weak. Meanwhile, lower-leg protection was deemed Marginal for the driver, as was protection of the front passenger’s upper legs.

    There are ISOFIX child seat anchors in both the second (outboard) and third rows, with top-tether points on all rear positions.

    Standard safety equipment includes:

    • AEB with pedestrian/cyclist detection and junction assist
    • Lane-keep assist
    • Lane Follow Assist (lane centring)
    • Blind-spot assist
    • Rear cross-traffic assist
    • Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
    • Reversing camera
    • Front and rear parking sensors
    • Driver attention alert
    • Multi Collision Brake
    • Safe exit warning
    • 7 x airbags (dual front, front-side and curtain, and front-centre)

    Moving up to GT-Line brings upgraded dual-LED projector-type headlights, a 360-degree camera system, the Blind Spot View Monitor side cameras that augment the existing blind-spot assist, and Parking Collision Avoidance Assist that can apply the brakes if the vehicle detects obstacles at low speeds like pedestrians or a wall.

    Further, the GT-Line’s enhanced Safe Exit Assist feature will actually lock the doors to prevent an occupant opening the door into the path of an oncoming road user. The PHEV GT-Line misses out on the Remote Smart Park Assist feature of V6 and diesel models.

    Dimensions

    All versions of the Kia Sorento measure 4810mm long, 1900mm wide, 1700mm tall (with roof rails) and offer a wheelbase of 2815mm. Ground clearance is quoted at 176mm (minimum).

    The V6 and diesel versions quote 616L of luggage space in five-seat configuration, 187L with all seven seats in play and 2011L with the second and third rows folded.

    Meanwhile the PHEV’s added componentry in the underfloor storage area means it’s slightly less in every dimension, quoting 604L/175L/1988L in each respective configuration.

    The Hybrid’s smaller battery pack affords more luggage volume compared to the PHEV, though still slightly less than the V6 petrol and four-cylinder diesel versions.

    Boot capacity is quoted as 179L/608L/1996L in seven/five/two-seat configurations, down 8L on petrol and diesel models in two- and five-seat layouts, and 15L with the second and third rows folded. It’s up 4L and 8L on the PHEV respectively across those measurements.

    As for tare mass, the V6/Diesel/PHEV weigh 1835kg/1908kg/2056kg respectively.

    In terms of towing capacity, the V6 FWD and Diesel AWD are rated to tow up to 2000kg (braked) with a 200kg towball download maximum, while the PHEV’s max capacity is reduced to 1350kg with a 100kg download rating.

    Standard Equipment

    Sorento S highlights:

    • 17-inch alloys with full-size spare
    • 8.0-inch touchscreen
    • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • AEB with Junction Assist and pedestrian/cyclist detection
    • Blind-spot assist
    • Rear cross-traffic assist
    • Multi Collision Brake
    • LED headlights (reflector-type)
    • LED fog lights
    • Front-centre airbag

    Sorento Sport adds:

    • 18-inch machine-finish alloy wheels with full-size spare
    • 10.25-inch touchscreen
    • Satellite navigation with up to 10 years of map updates
    • Dual-zone climate control
    • Auto defogger
    • Tyre pressure monitoring
    • 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with two-way lumbar

    Sorento Sport+ adds:

    • 19-inch alloys with full-size spare
    • Smart key with push-button start
    • Remote engine start
    • Electric tailgate with height adjustment
    • Leather-appointed seats (black)
    • Heated front seats
    • Heated steering wheel
    • 2 x USB charging ports (rear seat)
    • LED tail lights

    Sorento GT-Line adds:

    • 20-inch dark chrome alloys with full-size spare (V6, Diesel)
    • 19-inch alloys with full-size spare (HEV + PHEV)
    • 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
    • Blind Spot View Monitor
    • 8.0-inch head-up display
    • Bose premium sound system (12 speakers)
    • Wireless phone charger
    • Panoramic sunroof
    • Interior ambient lighting
    • Rear occupant alert
    • Quilted nappa leather-appointed seats (black)
    • 14-way power driver’s seat adjustment
    • 10-way power front passenger’s seat adjustment
    • Heated/ventilated front seats
    • Heated rear seats
    • Sunshade blinds (2nd row)
    • Remote Smart Parking Assist (not HEV + PHEV)
    • Parking Collision Avoidance Assist
    • 360-degree camera system

    Click the images for the full gallery

    MORE: Everything Kia Sorento

    James Wong

    James Wong is the Production Editor at CarExpert based in Melbourne, Australia. With experience on both media and manufacturer sides of the industry, James has a specialty for product knowledge which stems from a life-long obsession with cars. James is a Monash University journalism graduate, an avid tennis player, and the proud charity ambassador for Drive Against Depression – an organisation that supports mental wellness through the freedom of driving and the love of cars. He's also the proud father of Freddy, a 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI .

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