For a family that has outgrown its midsize SUV, the vehicle upgrade path leads to a minivan. Or an SUV with a third row of seats. How about something that’s a little more upscale? Or with a hybrid drivetrain, perhaps?
The Kia Sorento has always been the oddball choice in the popular midsize SUV automotive segment. While others tried to knock the Fortuner off its perch, the Sorento quietly amassed its small nook of fans.
Styling
This latest version built on what was loved by its fanbase, and then leveled up the aesthetics and appointments. The exterior proportions have always been neutral, neither macho nor pretty. It just blends in with the SUV crowd. But only those who look closer notice the brushed satin metal accents. It’s on the exterior glass and on the huge Kia badges. It certainly highlights the reverse ‘shark fin’ at the c-pillar, on the lower tiger nose trim, and on the faux hinge of the front doors.
It’s also hard to ignore the recessed vertical LED headlight cluster made of four cube projectors, and its DRL eyebrows that extend forward and round out the upper border of the tiger nose front fascia. The main grille elements repeat the same shape, while the horizontal slats of the lower grille break that pattern as it houses the horizontally oriented foglamps/driving light. The twin vertical rear light clusters and the horizontal foglamps located at the bumper echo that theme in the back.
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Interior
In harmony with the exterior, the same ion-coated accents can be seen inside. They’re there to be felt on the door opening handle and the shift paddles on the steering wheel. They also enhance the outline of the A/C vent surrounds and button bezels. Those shift paddles are extremely lovely to the touch. I’ve driven supercars and a lot of high-end hot hatches with bland plastic paddles.
All the seats are leather-wrapped and comfortable. The front and second row seats are ventilated, while the front seats are heated, too. The interior layout is simple but elegant, with just the right mix of physical knobs and touch controls. The 12.3-inch multifunctional touchscreen is adequate and lag-free. The drive selector with the central park button is intuitive to use, and demonstrates that it operates no ordinary drivetrain. The smaller knob below it selects the drive modes and the terrain system options. The choices give clues about the vehicle’s off-road capabilities: Snow, mud, sand.
The all-wheel drive SX model has a panoramic tilting sunroof and a heated leather steering wheel. A wireless charger and USB ports are available on the covered dash console. Three passengers can squeeze into the second row and can share the 12V, 180W cigarette lighter socket for their handheld devices or plug into the pair of USB-C ports located at the front row seatbacks. Access to the third row with push buttons makes it easy, but elbow and leg space are limited. At least they can turn on another climate control zone back there, plus a shared 12V socket, and a couple of cupholders.
Performance
The 1.6-liter turbo direct-injection gasoline engine combined with the 60hp permanent magnet synchronous motor makes 232hp and 367Nm of torque. Plenty of power to move at a decent pace. Set the drive mode to Smart, and it knows when to use just the 100Nm motor alone, how to distribute drive between the front and rear wheels, when to turn on the engine for charging the modest capacity lithium-ion battery, and when to boost the engine for maximum torque and power.
If you drive casually, it’s difficult to know if you’re in EV mode or if the engine is on, unless you look at the dashboard indicators. Same goes for the terrain modes. Just set it appropriately and enjoy the drive. At the end of the trip, you’ll appreciate how frugal it is on fuel.
Ride and handling
Supple and luxurious. It’s nowhere near sporty, but not wallowy either. High-profile 19-inch tires, low-mounted lithium battery, and well tuned shock and spring rate combination make this possible. The SX has all-wheel drive but shares the same front McPherson struts and rear multi-link suspension as the front-driven EX and EX+ models. The handling is remarkably unremarkable. Sound insulation is at par with luxury vehicles within its class and beyond. Did I mention earlier that you can’t even tell if the engine is running?
Just chill on those uber comfortable seats, put on a soothing playlist on the Bose sound system, and you’ll get to your destination fresh and unhurried. As if you just sat on your sofa at home.
Extra features
The front and rear skid plates make it truly off-road capable. Cruise control as well as the electronic parking brake with auto hold assist, are standard features. Drivewise is the advanced driver assistance system of Kia. It’s a package consisting of smart cruise control with lane keep and lane follow, 360-degree blind-spot view monitor, forward collision avoidance, and parking distance warning. Rear blind-spot collision avoidance assist and safe exit warning are only available on the SX model. Standard safety and security includes front, side, and curtain airbags, with three-point ELR seat belts for all seven passengers. Isofix anchors on all second and third row seats are also fitted. ABS, ESC, downhill brake control, hill-start assist, and anti-theft systems are standard on all variants.
Verdict
For a family who prefers an SUV over a minivan, the Sorento SX hybrid is a perfect premium option. With an 8-year battery warranty, 5-year or 160,000km warranty, and 24/7 roadside assistance, it’s a relaxed ownership experience through and through.
Specs: 2025 Kia Sorento SX AWD Turbo Hybrid
Price: P2,880,000
Engine: 1.6-liter I4 turbo-gasoline hybrid
Power: 232hp combined
Torque: 367Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic transmission
Layout: AWD
Seating: 7
Score: 9/10
More photos of the 2025 Kia Sorento SX AWD Turbo Hybrid:
