2022 Sorento PHEV Primed to Dominate the Dirt and X-Cross Class During Rebelle Rally

The 2021 Rebelle Rally is set to take place in just a few days! This is an all-out desert fiasco demanding all forms of extreme navigation, Kia will have two entries: a pair of 2022 Sorento PHEVs that will represent the “electrified” designation.

Seeing its official worldwide launch last year, the Rebelle Rally is the perfect opportunity for EVs, plug-in hybrids, and conventional hybrids to demonstrate their abilities off-road. The Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is part of the Plan S electrification strategy, and a few of the most talented female drivers in the nation are introducing the PHEV to Kia consumers as a new, electrified means of enjoying the various trails and opportunities for solitude in the great outdoors. 

During last year’s race, the Kia Telluride scored a close second during the X-cross class, and for 2021, Alyssia Roenigk and her seasoned spotter Sabrina Howells are pairing up again to crush this challenge! We are confident they will outpace the 4x4 group tackling the Imperial Sand Dunes just as they did last time. The PHEV is the perfect vehicle for a task that requires precision steering, aptitude, and thorough knowledge of every component of the vehicle as it works in unison with the driver. 

At the helm of the second Sorento PHEV is professional rally driver Verena Meia, who has a winning background in motorsports. She’ll race with her grade-A navigator Tana White, who has demonstrated her mastery of everything a driver can come across during a rally! On top of being one of the odds-on favorites during the Rebelle Rally, Kia America is also proud to be a Rebelle Rally sponsor, a partnership that has felt like a natural fit since day one.

The plug-in hybrids competing during this rally will see minimal modifications, and their design will draw noticeable inspiration from adventure and outdoor concepts we have seen in the past. The 2022 PHEV boasts an EPA-estimated 32-mile pure electric driving range, which is at the top of the list in its class of 3-row PHEV SUVs. The Rebelle Rally will test participants over eight grueling days of competition and is not merely for speed, but also measures expertise needed for hidden checkpoints, distance reading maps, roadbook, and valuable compass skills. The Rebelle Rally represents a huge chance for these talented women to shine and show the world just how thoroughly authentic, raw, and though they all are!

2022 Kia Sorento PHEV to Debut with Highest Electric Driving Rage of Any 3-Row PHEV Model

The 2022 Sorento Turbo Plug-in Hybrid will roll onto the lot during 2021’s third quarter at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis with the best range of any PHEV. This new PHEV will be offered with a 66.9 kW electric motor and a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that together crank out 261 horsepower. You’ll be enjoying 32 miles of pure electric driving range with a projected combined overall range of 460 miles.

Standard torque-vectoring is on board to offer ultimate driving confidence on any type of terrain, and the luxurious cabin can accommodate up to six passengers with 143.8 cubic feet of passenger space. The Sorento PHEV will offer everyday drivability, a comfortable space to spend time in, and a high level of practical vehicle efficiency. The 2022 Sorento PHEV will be available in both SX and SX-P trims, with available Syntex synthetic leather seating or perforated leather seats. We also recommend adding aluminum sport pedals!

The Sorento PHEV also comes standard with AWD featuring center locking differential technology, and the Drive Mode Select has Snow Mode that will come in handy for the harsh Missouri winter months. This is the first Kia SUV to sport a 12.3-inch full digital meter cluster, and you’ll also enjoy the bird’s-eye tech in the surround-view monitor with its 360-degree perspective.

There are 8 USB charging ports on board, a huge array of entertainment perks via SiriusXM satellite radio, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and a premium Bose sound system available with 12 high-performance speakers. As you are enjoying the view and the ultra-smooth ride, you can also opt for an even clearer surround-sound experience with Bose Centerpoint technology, which analyzes the sound source and adjusts to the speed you’re driving. The 2022 Sorento PHEV also comes with cloud-based Connected Routing that will use UVO cloud technology to predict ebbs and flows in traffic, and even learn your preferred daily driving route. 

With so many technology options, you’ll enjoy a smooth, easy driving experience every time you hit the road! 

Kia's Award-Winning 2021 Niro Hybrid and PHEV Coast Into New Year with Charming Customer Convenience

The Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid crossovers are going to coast triumphantly into the new year here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis with an enhanced and confident sense of customer convenience! The Niro Hybrid LX arrives into the new model year with its 50-mph EPA rating as well as a gigantic amount of savings in fuel costs for five years compared to an average vehicle. The 2021 PHEV is eligible for a substantial federal tax credit, offering assistance during a year when many drivers need it most.

Standard Rear Occupant Alert is a new addition, and 8-inch display-equipped vehicles now come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment. Smart Key-equipped vehicles now feature the very useful Remote Engine Start, a fitting way to assure you get out on time when the telltale too-busy morning strikes! The Niro also expanded its DriveWise Advanced Driver Assistance System to now feature Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control and Curve on all vehicles that currently have Smart Cruise Control and Navigation. DriveWise features Forward Collision-Avoidance at the Pedestrian level, with a camera to aid in detection.

Any buyer searching for something a little different than a Toyota Prius should consider the Kia Niro hatchback, with its fuel-efficient sense of practicality and cheerful demeanor. Even with a slightly-smaller size, there is a good amount of space for rear passengers and helping of cargo room when the rear seats are folded. It does not possess an incredibly sporty personality and may not boast the same capabilities as an off-road-ready contender such as the Telluride, but it is one of the best models out there for anyone looking to get to their daily destinations with economic and environmental sensibility.

Making the ride much more enjoyable on the audio end of things is the option for an upgrade to a Harmon Kardon 8-speaker sound system, and many reviewers such as those on duty at The Car Connection claim that the Niro is the superior choice when pitted against the competitor in the form of the Nissan Leaf Plus. Every single benefit of going electric is flaunted directly from the driver's seat, and the electric motor cranks out 201 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque. Getting up to 60 mph in 7 seconds is adequate for any hasty city sprint or impromptu errands, and the perky and quiet performance fares as excellent all the way on up to highway speed.

Reasonable and well-proportioned, the Niro's front-wheel-drive is adequate for all-weather capability and remains quick as well as impressive. One of the technologies that have proven to be the most useful and game-changing is the Niro's regenerative braking: the vehicle's momentum is used to “recover” energy that would otherwise be lost to the brake discs in the form of wasteful heat.

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.