2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid Review
Price Range: $20,590 - $28,998





+21
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What's new
- New hybrid powertrain for the redesigned Sorento
- Gets an EPA-estimated 37 mpg combined
- More interior room and new technology features
- Part of the fourth Sorento generation redesigned for 2021
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid S 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.09 per gallon for regular unleaded in New York.
Monthly estimates based on costs in New York
$104/mo for Sorento Hybrid S
Sorento Hybrid S
vs
$182/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
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Kia Sorento Hybrid Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(29%)
4(29%)
3(30%)
2(12%)
1(0%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Almost perfect
3 out of 5 starsJay Bee, 06/22/2022
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
We purchased this vehicle just over a year ago, with the intent to enable long road trips with decent gas mileage. In the year we have owned our Sorento, it has delivered beyond expectations with regard to the driving experience. The seats are comfortable, the ergonomics conducive to long trips, and the technology is very useful. The adaptive cruise control is great at cutting fatigue, … and the lane keep assist, lane follow assist and forward and reverse alerts work very well. We average 38 - 40 mpg, driving in hilly terrain in Southern California.
Our ONLY complaint is (for us) a big one and may lead us to trade in the vehicle for another brand. Specifically, we repeatedly get a warning light reading "Refill Inverter Coolant" which is an alarming thing to see, and the placement of the light precludes use of most of the dash computer functionality. We have been to two separate dealers and they have both been unable to determine the cause of the light, nor have they been able to stop it from recurring. Both dealers indicated this "false warning light" is pretty common across Kia's hybrid lineup, but they had no idea how to rectify it. Several posts in owner forums indicate an over the air "fix" is scheduled, but is yet to happen (and the dealers are unaware of this "fix").
The latest incident was while traveling several hundred miles from home, through the Arizona desert. Pulling into the dealer with fingers crossed (hoping to NOT overheat something) we were again told the vehicle was fine and we could drive it the rest of the way home.
If not for this alarming, recurring error message, I'd give this car a 5 star review. As it is, with today's hot used car market, we may well trade it in for a comparable Toyota product, a brand we have had great experience with over the years.
So far so good
4 out of 5 starsMark, 03/25/2021
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
Bought the Sorento after researching mid size SUV'S. Can't beat the price for the Kia warranty and the amenities that come with it.
We got the hybrid and are more than happy with the mileage.
My kids love the panoramic sunroof!
With the 3rd row seats down (which they will be 99% of the time) there is plenty of cargo room and the rear seats have enough leg and head room for somebody … over 6' tall.
My only complaints at this time would be that the infotainment system has not been easy to connect my android phone to. Seems like I'm jumping thru a lot of hoops to get connected and navigate all of the screens. My other complaint would be the backup beeping. You cannot turn it down or off!! I understand the reasoning behind it, but think that it's unnecessary. My Dodge Durango is very quiet when it's running and doesn't need a backing beep so I don't buy the idea that an EV needs to make noise to warn people it's moving. And if it is necessary, why is the speaker in the grill, facing forward, and not in the rear bumper?
We have only had it for two months now but so far, so good.
Trading Places
4 out of 5 stars감사합니다, 02/18/2021
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
Roomy, tech-loaded, efficient, and safe. My first hybrid, but third Kia product. After having some (relatively) trouble-free products, I decided to try another one from Kia. So far, so good. I had to get used to a car that does not make any sound or vibrant but it has been good. For it's size, I get good fuel economy. The best (and sometimes worst) features are the car nannies. Even … though I cut them off most of the time, when I use them, they work spectacularly well together. Think of it like Tesla Autopilot-lite. Adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, active steering assist, and frontal collision mitigation pretty much drive for you!!
Large luxury with 40mpg
5 out of 5 starsJeffrey Swayngim, 03/21/2021
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 6A)
This big SUV has everything a vehicle can (except ventilated seats). The seats are incredibly comfortable, the performance matches that of a V6, the cargo capacity it astronomically large, the technology is top notch, the driving assistance does all but stop for gas, and most importantly, the gas mileage is unbelievable. I’m getting 40mpg in the city with a large luxury SUV. I love the … panoramic roof, and parking is a breeze with the back up camera and front and rear parking sensors. This car has every feature you can search for in a car that doesn’t cost $75k or more, is absolutely gorgeous, and it does all this with the best auto warranty in the industry.
2021 Sorento Hybrid Highlights
S
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $33,590 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Hybrid |
Combined MPG | 37 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $104/month |
Seating | 6 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Sorento Hybrid models:
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
- Accelerates and decelerates the car automatically, keeping a user-defined distance between the Sorento and the car in front.
- Lane Following Assist
- Keeps the Sorento in the middle of its lane at low speeds. The upgraded Highway Driving Assist does the same at higher speeds.
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Projects an image of the Sorento's blind spot onto the digital instrument panel when the turn signal is flipped on.
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover15.9%
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