2021 Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid detailed with 70km all-electric range
The new powertrain variant is expected to arrive in Australian showrooms between July and September this year.
Specifications for the 2021 Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid (PHEV) have been revealed for Europe, ahead of an Australian arrival in the third quarter of 2021 (between July and September inclusive).
The seven-seat SUV mates a 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine to a transmission-mounted electric motor to develop a combined 195kW/350Nm, sent to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
This allows for the 0-100km/h sprint to be completed in a claimed 8.7 seconds.
Voltage is drawn from a 13.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack, reportedly enabling an all-electric range of 57km on Europe's WLTP cycle when driving in mixed conditions, or 70km when driving in the city.
CO2 output sits at a claimed 38g/km on the WLTP combined cycle.
A spokesperson for Kia in Australia was unable to confirm local pricing when approached by CarAdvice, however noted the first examples of the 2021 Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid are due to arrive in local showrooms sometime in the third quarter (between July and September) of this year.
While the entry-level Sorento is currently priced from as little as $45,850 plus on-road costs, it's possible the PHEV option could be restricted to the flagship GT-Line only.
If correct, expect prices to start from around $70,000 to $75,000 – $5000 to $10,000 more than the most expensive Sorento currently available, the GT-Line diesel model.
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