Kia is introducing the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid to the UK market as the most powerful and least CO2-emitting member of the range. The plug-in hybrid Kia Sorento makes use of the same electrified powertrain as the closely related Hyundai Tucson, meaning a 177 HP 1.6-liter T-GDI petrol mated to a 90 HP electric motor powered by a 13.8kWh battery pack. The combined output is rated at 261 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque sent to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

More importantly, since this is a plug-in hybrid model, the EV range is rated at up to 57 km per the WLTP and emits 38 g/km of CO2. Kia notes that the Sorento PHEV is capable of covering up to 70 km on electric power alone, provided you’re driving in an urban environment. Combine this with the Sorento’s 67-liter fuel tank, and the overall driving range should be enough to travel from London to Nice, France at one go (probably).

 

The plug-in hybrid Kia Sorento is also the most expensive model in the range, with prices in the UK starting from £ 44,995 for the entry-level and not confusingly named ‘2’ trim level. UK customers, who can now place an order, will get to choose between three trim levels: 2, 3, and 4. Prices can go up to £ 53,095 for the ‘4’ trim level, in case you were wondering.

All Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid models come with three rows of seats sitting up to seven passengers. The entry-level ‘2’ trim gets you things like LED lights, a set of 19-inch alloy wheels, a black trim appearance package, black cloth seats combined with a light grey headliner, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as DAB radio, among other. Move over to the ‘3’ model and you’re getting the bigger 10.25-inch infotainment system with Kia’s UVO connected services and their Highway Driving Assist system, as well as a rear self-leveling air suspension.

 

The range-topping ‘4’ grade is the one that comes with black Nappa leather seats that are also ventilated at the front, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, as well as a powerful 12-speaker Bose audio system among other features. Production of the new Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is starting now at the carmaker’s Hwasung factory in Korea.