2024 Kia Sorento Hybrid price and specs: More tech for more money

Kia Australia has quietly released pricing and specifications for the facelifted Sorento Hybrid (HEV), which is being offered once again in top-spec GT-Line trim with the choice of front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD).

Overseas model shown

The 2024 Kia Sorento GT-Line HEV is priced from $70,330 before on-road costs in FWD guise and $73,330 plus on-roads with AWD, representing price increases of $3580 over the pre-facelift MY23 models.

The hybrids are also about $5000 dearer than their V6 FWD and Diesel AWD counterparts, and aren’t offered with nationwide driveaway pricing.

It’s understood the Sorento HEV will remain in short supply, with a national monthly allocation of around 20 units or so. The Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) is also expected to arrive shortly with similar upgrades, and even tighter supply of around 10 units per month.

Key changes for the MY24 Sorento HEV align with the petrol and diesel range, with the electrified SUV picking up a fresh exterior design, as well as an updated interior and an enhanced technology suite.

The Sorento HEV’s drivetrain is carried over from the pre-facelifted model, meaning it’s powered by a 169kW/350Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid system which includes a 44kW/264Nm electric motor and 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery.

Rivals include the related new-generation Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, which is now on sale from $55,500 before on-road costs. The Santa Fe Hybrid is also available in the more expensive ($75,500) Calligraphy trim. The Toyota Kluger Grande AWD Hybrid is currently priced from $80,230 plus on-roads.

Pricing

Prices exclude on-road costs

Drivetrains and Efficiency

The Sorento HEV is powered by a 1.6L turbocharged petrol engine mated with an electric motor and lithium battery.

Dimensions

The Sorento HEV’s dimensions largely mirror that of the V6 FWD and Diesel AWD range.

Servicing and Warranty

The Kia Sorento lineup is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. High-voltage battery and motor components for electrified models are covered for seven years or 150,000 kilometres.

Scheduled maintenance is required every 12 months or 10,000 kilometres – whichever comes first. Kia models with turbocharged petrol engines have shorter mileage intervals than naturally aspirated petrols and turbo-diesels.

Safety

The 2024 Kia Sorento carries over the pre-update model’s five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on Euro NCAP tests.

The Sorento managed an adult occupant protection score of 82 per cent, child occupant protection score of 85 per cent, vulnerable road user protection score of 63 per cent, and safety assist score of 89 per cent.

Standard safety features include:

• 7 airbags incl. front-centre
• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Car detection
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Cyclist detection
  • Junction assist
• Blind-spot assist
• Driver attention alert
• Highway Driving Assist (HDA)
  • Adaptive cruise incl. stop/go
  • Lane Following Assist
  • Navigation-based
• Lane Following Assist
• Lane keep assist
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (NEW)
• Parking sensors front, rear
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Reversing camera
• Safe Exit Warning
• Tyre pressure monitoring

Kia Connect features include:

• eCall
• Remote lock
• Remote climate control
• Vehicle tracking
• Vehicle status monitoring
• Voice assistant
• Destination send to vehicle
• Real-time traffic updates
• Valet parking mode

It’s worth noting the updated Australian range doesn’t pick up more airbags like Korean models, which get rear-side inflators and a driver’s knee airbag – bringing the total to 10.

Local models also appear to miss out on the ‘reverse guide lamp’ that’s similar to the rear lights offered by Genesis models.

Standard Equipment

The Sorento HEV is only offered in Australia in flagship GT-Line guise – full specifications haven’t been detailed yet on the Kia Australia website as yet.

Sorento HEV GT-Line highlights:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Full size spare wheel
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Blind Spot View Monitor
• Remote Smart Parking Assist
• Parking Collision Avoidance Assist – Reverse
• Quilted Nappa leather-appointed seats
• Digital centre mirror
• Suede headliner
• Interior mood lighting
• 360-degree surround view monitor
• Heated, ventilated front seats
• Heated second-row seats – outer
• Panoramic sunroof – powered
• Kia Connect
• Over the Air (OTA) updates

MORE: Everything Kia Sorento