The Kia Sorento Hybridis now available in another six model variants, bringing the total number to eight, and the Sorento PHEV (plug-in hybrid) lineup has been expanded from one to four grades, resulting in lower entry-level prices – but there are higher prices for pre-existing versions.
The addition of another nine electrified versions of the Korean brand’s popular large SUV, which so far this year is more popular than all but the Toyota Prado, Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X off-roaders, brings from 11 to 20 the total number in the range – including HEV, PHEV and, at least for now, V6 petrol and turbo-diesel powertrains.
Previously only offered in the premium GT-Line equipment grade, the Sorento HEV (plugless hybrid) is now available in all four trim levels (S, Sport and Sport +), also in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) layouts.
That makes the hybrid Sorento far more accessible, with the new entry-level Sorento HEV S FWD priced at $56,380 before on-road costs – down almost $14,000 from the previous starting price of $70,333 (now $71,290) plus on-roads for the Sorento HEV GT Line FWD.
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It also undercuts the cheapest Toyota Kluger GX AWD Hybrid ($62,410 before on-roads) and the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid – which uses the same powertrain – at $57,000 before on-roads.
The price premium of $5000 over equivalent 3.5-litre V6 petrol-powered Sorentos remains consistent with pricing for the GT-Line Hybrid already in showrooms.
It’s also around $2000 more than the same model grade with the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine – which the hybrid is, in part, designed to replace.
Interestingly, both the petrol and diesel versions remain listed only as model year 2024 (MY24) vehicles on the Kia Australia website, alongside MY25 HEV and PHEV vehicles.
| Sorento HEV | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Sorento S Hybrid FWD | $56,380 (new) |
| 2025 Kia Sorento Sport Hybrid FWD | $59,000 (new) |
| 2025 Kia Sorento Sport + Hybrid FWD | $63,930(new) |
| 2025 Kia Sorento GT-Line Hybrid FWD | $71,290 (+$960) |
| 2025 Kia Sorento S Hybrid AWD | $59,380 (new) |
| 2025 Kia Sorento Sport Hybrid AWD | $62,000 (new) |
| 2025 Kia Sorento Sport + Hybrid AWD | $66,930 (new) |
| 2025 Kia Sorento GT-Line Hybrid AWD | $74,290 (+$960) |
Kia Australia has made no official announcement, with the additional electrified Sorento variants remaining MY25 vehicles – with the carmaker yet to confirm model range changes for 2026 after upgrades introduced overseas.
The Sorento Hybrid runs a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine with a transmission-mounted electric motor, with a combined system output of 169kW/350Nm in FWD models.
Fuel consumption is a claimed 5.4L/100km (combined) for the FWD version, with AWD models at 5.7L/100km.
The Sorento PHEV, previously only available in GT-Line AWD spec, is now offered across four model grades, all with AWD.
Now starting at $70,880 for the Sorento PHEV S AWD – making it less than the cheapest Mazda CX-80 PHEV at $75,250 before on-roads – the range also includes the PHEV Sport AWD, the PHEV Sport+ AWD, and flagship PHEV GT-Line AWD.
The Sorento PHEV makes 30kW more than the HEV thanks to a more powerful electric motor, with 195kW but the same 350Nm. Its ability to travel 58km (WLTP) in electric-only mode gives it official combined fuel consumption of 1.6L/100km.
A plan to expand HEV and PHEV powertrain availability across “most trim levels” in the Sorento lineup was confirmed to CarExpert by Kia Australia general manager Roland Rivero earlier this year.
| Sorento PHEV | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Sorento S Plug-in Hybrid AWD | $70,880 (new) |
| 2025 Kia Sorento Sport Plug-in Hybrid AWD | $73,500 (new) |
| 2025 Kia Sorento Sport+ Plug-in Hybrid AWD | $78,430 (new) |
| 2025 Kia Sorento GT-Line Plug-in Hybrid AWD | $86,790 (+$2130) |
The Sorento has helped Kia become a consistent top-three brand in Australia, as its fourth-most popular model behind the Sportage mid-size SUV, Carnival people mover and Seltos small SUV.
To September this year, the fourth-generation Sportage, which was launched in 2020 and facelifted in 2023, has outsold its most direct rivals in the Toyota Kluger, Subaru Outback and Santa Fe.