2022 Kia Sorento GT-Line Hybrid arrives from $66,750 – UPDATE

The anticipated Kia Sorento Hybrid is now on sale in Australia significantly undercutting the equivalent Toyota Kluger Hybrid.

Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions of the Sorento GT-Line Hybrid (HEV) are on offer in Australia, though as we’ve reported previously, supply will be extremely restricted at launch at around 20 units or so per month. Supply aside, the Sorento is the only vehicle on sale in Australia to offer petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.

Pricing for the 2022 Kia Sorento GT-Line Hybrid FWD will start at $66,750 before on-road costs, while the 2022 Kia Sorento GT-Line Hybrid AWD ups the sticker to $69,750 before on-roads. The first vehicles are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

UPDATE, 29/4/22 4:30pm: Kia Australia has officially released pricing and specification details for the new Sorento HEV, including local imagery. All previously reported details are consistent with official specs.

2022 Kia Sorento GT-Line Hybrid arrives from $66,750 – UPDATE

The Sorento Hybrid represents a near-$4700 premium over the equivalent V6 petrol and diesel in FWD and AWD guise respectively.

For reference, the Toyota Kluger Hybrid is AWD-only and charges $63,350 plus on-roads for the mid-spec GXL and $75,400 list for the flagship Grande. Toyota charges around $2700 extra for the Kluger AWD Hybrid over the equivalent Kluger AWD V6.

Kia Australia had previously indicated the Sorento Hybrid would only be offered in flagship GT-Line specification due to high global demand for electrified Sorento models – Australia sources the Sorento from the same factory that supplies Europe, for example.

With that in mind, standard equipment largely mirrors that of the Sorento GT-Line Plug-in Hybrid, though electrified models get a different wheel/tyre package and some unique touches compared to regular petrol and diesel versions.

Sorento GT-Line Hybrid highlights:

19-inch alloy wheels (machine finish)
Full-size alloy spare wheel
Dual-LED headlights (projector type)
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
Blind Spot View Monitor
8.0-inch colour head-up display
10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Satellite navigation
Wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Hybrid-specific displays
Remote start
Parking Collision Avoidance Assist
Surround-view camera
Panoramic sunroof
Quilted nappa leather-appointed seats (black)
14-way power driver’s seat adjustment
10-way power front passenger’s seat adjustment
12-speaker Bose premium sound system
Wireless smartphone fast charger
Rear occupant alert
Heated/ventilated front seats
Heated rear seats
Sunshade blinds (2nd row)

The Sorento Hybrid uses a similar petrol-electric drivetrain to the more expensive Sorento Plug-in Hybrid, though with a smaller lithium battery and a less powerful electric motor mounted between the petrol engine and six-speed automatic transmission.

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

By comparison, the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid’s electric motor offers 67kW/304Nm, bumping the system power output to 195kW. Combined torque is unchanged at 350Nm.

Combined fuel consumption is rated at 5.3L/100km for the Sorento Hybrid FWD and 5.8L/100km for the Sorento Hybrid AWD – both ADR 81/02-certified.

The 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.

Seven colours will be offered in line with the wider Sorento line-up:

Clear White
Aurora Black Pearl*
Gravity Blue*
Mineral Blue*
Snow White Pearl*
Steel Grey*
Silky Silver*

*Premium paint costs $695 extra

The Kia Sorento is the only vehicle on sale in Australia to offer petrol, diesel, parallel hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, though electrified versions are solely available in the flagship trim grade.

Kia Australia has previously indicated the hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains could filter down into lower trim levels of the Sorento should supply open up from the Korean factory.

The electrified models are also the only petrol-powered Sorentos in Australia to offer the option of all-wheel drive, as the 3.5L V6 petrol engine available across the range is exclusively front-wheel drive.

The arrival of the Sorento Hybrid coincides with range-wide price rises for existing petrol and diesel models effective March 1, with increases between $800 and $1000. See the price list below for more.