Is the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid a Good SUV? 5 Pros and 5 Cons

Like Diet Dr. Pepper versus, say, Diet Pepsi, zero-calorie sodas are judged on their similarity to their full-sugar, aspartame- or Splenda-free original versions. Similarly, hybrid variants of gas-powered vehicles are judged by their degree of non-hybrid-ness. In that regard, the all-new 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid may well be the Diet Dr. Pepper of hybrid mid-size SUVs.

Related: 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid Review: Big Vehicle With Small-Vehicle Fuel Economy

In Cars.com reviewer Jennifer Geiger’s comprehensive critique of the Sorento Hybrid, she lauds the fuel-sipping SUV for not behaving like one — particularly in the areas of regenerative-braking feel and the smoothness of the switch from electric to gas power.

“The Sorento’s brakes have a fairly natural pedal feel and linear action, both of which are very unlike some hybrids’ firm, unresponsive pedals,” Geiger writes in her review. “There’s no EV mode to force electric-only operation, but the electric motor kicks in frequently — both to boost power and to drive the car on electric power alone to increase efficiency. The switch to electric-only power happens seamlessly; the only clue is a green EV indicator light.”

That’s not to say it’s perfect. Nothing is — not even Diet Dr. Pepper. For Geiger’s full take, follow the related link above to her review. For a rapid-fire rundown of the pros and cons, read on.

Here are five things we’re here for (and five we’re not feelin’) about the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid:

Things We Like

1. Green But Still Goes

The Sorento Hybrid’s powertrain — a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with a 44-kilowatt electric motor and 1.5-kilowatt-hour battery generating a total system output of 227 horsepower— is satisfyingly robust off the line. Meanwhile, all that power is channeled gracefully through a quick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission.

2. MPG

The Sorento Hybrid’s EPA-estimated 39/35/37 city/highway/combined mpg rating not only bests its gas-only incarnation’s fuel economy (naturally), but also that of its nearest competitor, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The Toyota, albeit a larger vehicle, manages only 36/35/36 mpg. Even with five passengers, a full complement of cargo and less-than-ideal driving conditions, Geiger was able to come this close to the as-advertised fuel-economy rating across more than 1,300 miles of real-world driving.

3. Safety Surprises

Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention warning system, lane keep assist and automatic lane-centering come standard as one might expect nowadays, as automakers increasingly make what have become the most vital advanced safety tech available to all buyers. But Kia sweetens the safety pot with a couple of extras thrown in at no additional cost. 

One of these is a safe exit assistance system for the rear seats, which can detect oncoming traffic and prevent a rear door from being opened if an approaching vehicle or bicycle is detected. Meanwhile, a standard rear-seat alert system uses ultrasonic sensors to detect child or pet movement in the second and third rows after the doors have been locked; if movement is detected, the system sounds the horn and illuminates the hazard lights.

4. Space Is Spared

Cargo space behind the third row remains unchanged from the regular Sorento, at 12.6 cubic feet. Rear headroom also carries over, while slightly mitigated rear legroom largely goes unnoticed.

5. Sacrifices Seem Small

A livable three-row SUV that also gets really good gas mileage is no small ask in the first place, and despite our hybrid hang-ups listed below, the trade-offs you’ll have to make for the Sorento’s family friendliness and fuel efficiency, all things considered, are negligible.

More From Cars.com:

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• How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2021 Kia Sorento?
• Pricing Slides Higher for Redesigned 2021 Kia Sorento

Things We Don’t

1. Bumped-up MPG = Bumpier Ride

While the Sorento Hybrid is largely successful in concealing its hybrid nature everywhere but the fuel pump, it betrays its nature-loving nature where the rubber meets the road.

“It took a few miles to settle into the Sorento Hybrid’s road manners,” Geiger notes in her review. “It has a firmer ride and lets in more road noise than the regular version; its hybrid-specific tires are likely partly to blame.”

2. Fuel Savings Come at Premium

The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid S starts at $1,700 more than a gas-only S trim, at $34,765. The $37,765 EX version costs $1,600 more than its gas-only EX counterpart (all prices include the destination charge). While that’s still significantly lower than the Highlander Hybrid, it goes to show that it’s not easy, or cheap, being green.

3. Seating Versatility Gets Benched

The three-passenger second-row bench seat available in the regular Sorento is not offered on the hybrid. A captain’s-chairs-only second row undermines the hybrid’s otherwise minimal-compromise appeal.

4. Adapted for the Small Screen

Both iterations of the Sorento’s UVO multimedia system are usable and intuitive, but the hybrid is only available with the smaller 8-inch touchscreen rather than the preferable 10.25-inch unit.

5. Fewer Trims Cuts Down on Class

With only two trims to choose from, buyers are stuck with the plastic components and uninspiring design of the commoner-class Sorento Hybrid versus the fancy feel of the gas-only version’s SX-Prestige level.

Related Video: 2021 Kia Sorento Review

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