Front-drive Sorento HEV arrives in Oz

KIA Australia has added a front-wheel-drive version of its Sorento GT-Line Hybrid (HEV) to the Korean brand’s local line-up. The two-wheel-drive variant complements its all-wheel-drive sibling, as well as petrol, turbo-diesel and plug-in hybrid iterations of the Sorento and is priced from $66,750 (plus on-road costs), $3000 less than the AWD version.

Like the AWD variant, the front-wheel drive Sorento GT-Line Hybrid is powered by Kia’s parallel hybrid system comprising a 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine and 44kW/264Nm electric motor, the latter located between the engine and standard six-speed automatic transmission.

Total system output for the variant is rated at 169kW/350Nm with combined fuel consumption listed at 5.3 litres per 100km, 0.5L/100km less than the all-wheel-drive variant. Power for the electric motor is sourced from a 1kWh lithium-ion polymer battery located beneath the vehicle’s floor.

As per the Sorento GT-Line Hybrid AWD, the new variant offers matching safety, comfort and convenience features, including an 8.0-inch full-colour head-up display, and Kia’s 12.3-inch high-resolution digital instrument panel with blind-spot view monitor showing left- and right-hand views of the vehicle when the respective indicators are activated.

The model also includes a 10.25-inch infotainment array with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity and 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio.

Other equipment for the Sorento GT-Line Hybrid duo includes 19-inch alloy wheels, shift-by-wire gear selector, quilted Nappa leather upholstery, ambient LED cabin lighting, remote engine start, 360-degree camera, a panoramic sunroof, parking collision-avoidance system, heated first- and second-row seats, ventilated front seats, wireless charging pad, rear-occupant alert, second-row sunscreens, passenger intercom, as well as electrically adjustable driver and front-seat passenger seats.

“Sorento already provided one of the most versatile, practical and spacious large SUVs on the market and now in an industry first, it also offers Australian buyers the most diverse powertrain line-up to choose from within a model range,” said Kia Australia COO Damien Meredith.

“The addition of PHEV and HEV options to the popular Sorento range is another example of Kia’s progress in vehicle electrification. Along with the recently launched and award winning EV6, and the next-generation Niro range of electric vehicles arriving in the very near future, Kia Australia is offering a variety of choices in its contribution to a greener future.”

The front-wheel drive Kia Sorento GT-Line Hybrid (HEV) is available now.

2022 Kia Sorento pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.