2021 Kia Sorento PHEV Boasts Plenty of Power, Electric Motor Tech, and Same Stellar Looks

The all-new Kia Sorento PHEV will soon be running alongside the Sorento hybrid, transforming Kia's well-equipped and eco-friendly midsize SUV into one of the most efficient of its kind! Offering plenty of power and ample utility, the Sorento PHEV should definitely be well-received and immensely popular. The turbo-hybrid powertrain derives the juice from a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine paired to a 66.9 kW electric motor, generating 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

This SUV also includes a 6-speed automatic transmission and AWD, and is fed by a water-cooled 13.8 kWh battery pack that is supposed to provide a range "sufficient to enable drivers to complete most short drives on electric power alone". Seeing as how far you can drive on a charge is a huge selling point, the actual range is being saved for disclosure this time for the launch date. The new platform that the Sorento is assembled on was designed specifically to accommodate the PHEV powertrain, and the battery's presence doesn't have an effect on the storage space.

This Sorento is still offered as a 5 or 7-seater, and the 1.6-liter engine onboard incorporates Hyundai's new CVVD technology to see gains in power and efficiency. The motor also benefits from a two-stage lamination process that helps minimize vibration levels and reduce noise. The plug-in hybrid was the first Kia to use an independent battery pack water-cooling system and saw success based on its practicality, low running costs, and high power. The incoming PHEV will be the lowest-emitting Sorento, carrying the torch properly with the generous cabin and luggage space along with the versatility today's savvy crossover customer demands.

There have been so many revolutionary advancements over just the last few years as far as engine technology is concerned, and this engine features Kia's latest "Smartstream" innovations, including Continuously Variable Valve Duration Technology. This smart feature regulates the duration that the intake valves open and close, allowing the engine to operate on different combustion cycles, boosting fuel efficiency and engine performance. The 12.3-inch fully-digital instrument cluster has been redesigned, with dials providing drivers an indication of the powertrain's status as well as new graphics. 

It also offers Kia's innovative UVO Connect telematics system, which connects drivers by providing weather forecasts, points of interest, and nearby vehicle charging stations. A powerful 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system is also available, along with a cabin mood lighting system with up to 64 colors for users to choose from. Everyone here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis is proud of all the exciting "firsts" that the last few years have offered in design: the new Sorento also implements the first Multi-Collision Brake system, applying life-saving vehicle brakes after airbags have been deployed. 

Motor1.com Spots Kia EV Spied Running in the Wild Sporting “Imagine” Concept Traits

As we have closely watched the auto industry as a whole here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, the last few years have been a “narrower tunnel” of sorts as the future of electrification becomes much closer to reality. Many brands have pledged to have multiple electric models within just a few years, and engineers all over the world have been hard at work testing the best builds and components to do their part in the quest for clean energy.

 

The staff at Motor1.com ran a feature on their blog this week featuring spy shots of Kia's upcoming electric vehicle, caught in action testing alongside the Tesla Model 3. These shots offer up a few clues as to the benchmarks that will be set for the new EV, even while under heavy camouflage and an array of blocky pieces that hide the body's shape and wrap pattern. In front, the nose arches downward and we can make out oval headlights, with A-pillars that have a steep rake and a mostly flat roof. It is difficult to make out the taillights underneath the camo, but they can be seen in the corners just below the window.

 

When this electric model is finally able to be seen in full, it is expected to appear much like the Kia Imagine concept gallery seen at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. The changes regarding the exterior appear to include more conventional headlights as well as a B-pillar to provide support for the door hinges. The shape of the hatchback seems much sharper, and when Kia first introduced the Imagine concept, it was said that it was intended to properly “blur the lines between segments.”

 

While it may bear similarity with the Imagine concept on the inside, it is sure to have many differences outside. The concept model had 21 impressive high-resolution screens across the dashboard, and the displays on the passenger side appeared to be canted on angles a bit unconventional. No one is quite certain about the powertrain for the production version of the EV, but it is said to be able to reach 60 miles per hour in less than 3 seconds, and the driving range should be around 300 miles. Set to debut in 2021, eager observers should look for it to be on sale for the 2022 model year.

 

We are going to begin to see more and more developments in the arena of vehicles that are a productive means of transportation minus the trip to the pump, and the timing could not be better for their arrival. It was exciting to see this model as a work in progress running up alongside one of the future industry standards for electric prowess, and we are looking forward to watching the entire fleet develop into a sound means of driving that is beneficial to the environment!