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2025 Kia Sorento Turbo Hybrid Review

Seven seats, premium comfort, and a hybrid powertrain? The Kia Sorento has these and more.

Jerome Tresvalles
2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid Review

The last time we reviewed the Kia Sorento, it was in its pre-facelift, diesel-powered form. From the second generation up to the fourth, the formula of the Sorento remained unchanged, combining comfort, decent tech and equipment, and a powerful diesel engine. 

Now, in 2025, after an extensive refresh, the Sorento’s formula has changed slightly. It still offers seven seats and a crossover platform, but the diesel engine has been replaced by a 1.6-liter gasoline hybrid powertrain. Can the Sorento’s new hybrid setup truly take the place of diesel power? Or will Filipino drivers need to look elsewhere for a premium seven-seater crossover? Most importantly, is it a compelling option in today’s market? Here’s what we think.

4.4 / 5
2025 Kia Sorento Turbo Hybrid Review
Performance
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 4.5/5
Design
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.0/5
Ride Comfort
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 5.0/5
Safety and Technology
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 4.5/5
Value for Money
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 4.0/5
What You Will Like
  • The hybrid powertrain is both powerful and efficient
  • Plenty of driver aids and tech features
  • NVH and ride comfort is impressive
What You Won't Like
  • The wheel design can use a style update
  • The center console is dominated by piano black plastics
  • Steering wheel is light but does not provide much feedback
How We Do Our Reviews

First and foremost, we have to talk about the price. The Kia Sorento does not compete with PPV-based SUVs like the Fortuner, Montero, and the Everest. With a price that starts at P2,188,000 for the EX Turbo Hybrid AT 4x2 and ends with the top-spec 1.6 SX Turbo Hybrid AT AWD at P2,888,000, the Sorento belongs to the company of more premium offerings like the CX-90 and the Hyundai Santa Fe. 

So, with a price tag that nearly touches the P3 million mark, can the Sorento SX Turbo Hybrid make a good case for itself? Let’s take a look at its features.

Kia Sorento Front Quarter

At the front of the Kia Sorento, the refreshed tiger-nose grille stands out, flanked by sleek LED projector headlamps that flow seamlessly into the grille’s design. All Sorento trims come standard with LED headlights featuring a multi-reflector array, along with LED daytime running lights, LED fog lamps, and a full LED taillight setup. We love the futuristic style combined with the boxy dimensions, which sets the Sorento apart from the competition effortlessly.

Kia Sorento Kia Badge
Kia Sorento Wheels
Kia Sorento Side

The Sorento rides on large 19-inch wheels, which, to be honest, are nothing to write home about. The large wheels do lend the crossover a more dominant look, giving it a commanding presence on the road despite its looks.

Kia Sorento Cargo Space

Pop the power tailgate open and you’ll have 357 liters of space behind the Sorento’s third row seats, more than enough space for your carry-on bags. Fold the seats down, and the Sorento’s cargo hold expands to over 1,000 liters of space. Need even more? Fold the second row down, and you’ll get 2,139 liters of space to use. Oh, and if you couldn’t tell by looking at the Sorento from the side, loading extra-long cargo like lawn chairs is a breeze with this crossover.

Kia Sorento Hybrid Powertrain

The Kia Sorento features a unibody chassis that provides a smoother, more refined ride than the traditional ladder-frame construction found in many SUVs. Up front, it utilizes a MacPherson strut suspension with a stabilizer bar for added rigidity, while a rear multi-link setup enhances stability, particularly during cornering. All variants come with 19-inch alloy wheels and disc brakes on all four wheels, ensuring dependable braking performance. With a ground clearance of 176 mm, the Sorento may not compete with taller riding SUVs, but it can get through most obstacles on our roads.

Powering the Sorento is a combination of a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that puts out 177 hp and 265 Nm of torque and a hybrid system that generates 59 hp and 264 Nm of torque; combined, this powertrain generates 231 hp and 367 Nm of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission delivers all this power to an all-wheel drive system. 

Despite the Sorento having an all-wheel drive system, we managed to eke out 11.5 km/l in the city during Friday rush hour traffic. On the highway where the Sorento can stretch its legs, fuel consumption figures were at 18.5 km/l. Though the fuel consumption figures can’t match up to BYD’s Super DM-i system, the Sorento’s fuel efficiency is still mighty commendable considering it is driving all four wheels all the time. 

Kia Sorento Dashboard

The Kia Sorento’s interior is spacious and well-appointed, comfortably accommodating up to seven passengers. It features leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, a push-button start, and smart key entry for added convenience. Rear passengers in the second row enjoy dedicated air conditioning vents, complementing the front automatic climate control system for enhanced comfort throughout the cabin.

Kia Sorento Second Row

In the back, the third-row seats can be stowed to create a flat cargo floor, while the second row offers a flexible 40:20:40 split-folding configuration to further expand storage capacity. A power tailgate ensures easy access to the rear cargo area, enhancing everyday practicality.

Kia Sorento Second Row

In terms of design, the contrast between the white leather seats and dark door plastics adds a sophisticated visual appeal. The overall cabin layout feels open and spacious, enhancing the Sorento’s already generous interior dimensions and creating a light, airy atmosphere.

From the driver’s seat, the Kia Sorento offers a comfortable and intuitive experience. The leather seats provide excellent support, while the ergonomically arranged controls and well-organized center stack keep everything within easy reach. The instrument cluster, though somewhat minimalistic, is functional and easy to read. The infotainment display is sharp and responsive, and the premium Bose 12-speaker audio system delivers rich, immersive sound that audiophiles will appreciate.

Kia Sorento Center Console

However, not all is perfect inside the cabin. While the layout of the center stack is clean and logical, it’s heavily finished in piano black trim, a material known for easily attracting scratches and fingerprints, which can detract from the overall upscale feel over time.

Infotainment Screen

The Kia Sorento is equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that serves as the cabin’s central command center, offering Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Audio is powered by a premium Bose 12-speaker system, while a built-in Qi wireless charging pad provides cable-free convenience for compatible devices.

Kia Sorento Instrument Cluster

For added functionality, the Sorento includes smart cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a power tailgate for effortless cargo access. The smart key entry system with push-button start further enhances everyday convenience.

Kia Sorento Steering Wheel
Kia Sorento Aircon Vents
Kia Sorento Sunroof

Safety is a key focus, with a robust suite of features including seven SRS airbags, ABS with brake assist, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, hill-start assist, and ISOFIX anchors for child seat installation. The Sorento also benefits from Kia’s Drive Wise advanced driver-assistance technologies, which include Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, offering an extra layer of confidence on the road.

When it comes to driving performance, the Kia Sorento’s steering feel stands out. It uses a motor-driven power steering system that blends elements of both hydraulic and electric setups. In real-world driving, this results in an extremely light steering feel—almost toy-like—which may appeal to some drivers in urban settings but comes at the cost of reduced road feedback through the wheel.

Kia says this system provides extra road safety by enhancing stability during cornering. However, we don’t advise you to push the Sorento to its limits, it’s a premium crossover, not a road racer. 

Kia Sorento Rear Quarter

As for power, though the hybrid powertrain in the updated Sorento won’t match the torque figures of the 2.2-liter Smartstream diesel in the pre-facelift model, it makes up for it in its immediate power delivery. So, no need to worry about overtaking in this crossover; it still has the guts to push you forward with gusto whenever you need it. Speaking of driving with gusto, the Sorento has multiple drive modes available to use, these consist of Eco, Smart, and Sport. Meanwhile, if the going gets rocky, terrain modes are also included in the Sorento’s all-wheel drive system.

Comfort-wise, the Sorento feels like a large American crossover thanks to its size and the design of the seats. Stacking on the miles is easy with driver and passenger fatigue barely being noticeable even after a long stint of driving. 

NVH is reduced to a minimum even when you’re going at speed, which is a testament to the Sorento’s build quality. Noise won’t even be a major factor during drives unless you really pump up the sound system.

Now that we've seen just how feature-packed the Sorento SX Turbo Hybrid is, let’s return to the original question: is it a compelling option in the market? We know its power matches the old diesel engine, and it’s loaded with modern features—but when it comes to being compelling? We believe the answer is yes.

The Sorento SX Turbo Hybrid checks many of the boxes buyers look for in a premium midsize crossover. And if you think the price is a bit steep, a quick look at the AutoDeal Car Guide will show that the SX Turbo Hybrid actually undercuts much of the competition. All in all, if you're in the market for a premium midsize crossover, the Sorento is unlikely to disappoint.

Specifications

Engine

1.6 L

Fuel Type

Hybrid

Performance

232 hp @ 5,500 rpm

Transmission

Automatic

Summary

Name Kia Sorento 1.6 SX Turbo Hybrid AT AWD
Body Type Crossover
Price ₱2,888,000
Transmission Category Automatic

Engine

Performance

Economy & Environment

Dimensions

Safety & Security

Features

Technology

Colors

Kia Sorento Turbo Hybrid - Aurora Black Pearl Aurora Black Pearl
Kia Sorento 1.6 SX+ Turbo Hybrid AT - Volcanic Sand Brown Volcanic Sand Brown
Kia Sorento 1.6 EX+ Turbo Hybrid AT - Silky Silver Silky Silver
Kia Sorento Turbo Hybrid AT - Snow White Pearl Snow White Pearl

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