The Kia Sorento name has a long history for Kia and has consistently been one of the company’s top sellers. In 2021, we saw an all-new fourth-generation model, and for 2025, Kia is giving the Sorento a significant refresh. I’m here on the 2023 LA Auto Show’s show floor, and this is the 2025 KIA Sorento. Let’s take a first look.
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Powertrain and Performance
Before diving into the exterior styling changes for the KIA Sorento Hybrid 2025, let’s remind you what’s underneath the hood. Like the pre-refresh model, Kia offers four different powertrains for the Sorento in 2024 and 2025. The Sorento Hybrid model features a 1.6L turbocharged gasoline direct injection four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor. With available all-wheel drive, this combination delivers 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. These figures are based on the 2023 model, as Kia still needs to share the 2025 hybrid or plug-in hybrid specs.
For 2024, the refreshed Sorento also comes with a naturally aspirated 2.5L gas engine delivering 191 horsepower or a turbocharged version. A new XPR model enhances towing capacity up to 4,000 lbs. The hybrid version will be delayed by about a year compared to the gas-only model, but it remains a top-selling powertrain choice for the Sorento.
2025 KIA Sorento Exterior Design
The 2025 KIA Sorento boasts a new colour, Midnight Lake Blue, which looks stunning on the vehicle’s updated lines. Kia has significantly revamped the front end, adopting a style reminiscent of the EV9 and the refreshed Telluride. The new front fascia includes:
- An updated Kia logo.
- A redesigned tiger-nose grille.
- Amber-illuminated daytime running lights with a horizontal and vertical light signature.
Functional openings replace the pre-refresh model’s fog lights, complemented by a silver-painted front skid plate and a front camera.
This midsize SUV’s side profile remains unchanged, maintaining its 189-inch length and just under 111-inch wheelbase. Compared to the Telluride, the Sorento is about seven inches shorter, offering a balanced proportion and three rows of seating. The hybrid model features 19-inch wheels with a two-tone machine and black design, riding on 235/55R19 all-season tyres. The XPR model, seen nearby, showcases 17-inch black wheels with all-terrain tyres, enhancing its rugged look.
2025 KIA Sorento Interior Features
The interior of the 2025 KIA Sorento Hybrid presents a luxurious experience with a colour scheme called Dust Blue. High trims feature diamond-quilted leather heated and ventilated seats with 12-way power adjustment. The latest design language includes a dual display layout with 12.3-inch digital and 12.3-inch centre displays. This setup supports wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and over-the-air updates.
Soft-touch materials, silver-painted plastic trim, and contrasting leather enhance the door panels. Features like one-touch window controls, two-person memory seating, and a solid door handle add to the premium feel. The centre console offers ample storage, USB-C charging ports, and a rotary dial for the transmission selector.
Rear and Cargo Space
The second row features captain’s chairs, providing around 41 inches of legroom, with manual retractable shades and rear seat air vents. The third row offers 29 inches of legroom, adequate for shorter trips. Cargo space is 12.6 cubic feet with the third row up, expanding to nearly 40 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and just over 75 cubic feet with the second and third rows down.
Availability and Pricing
The 2025 KIA Sorento, including the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, While Kia hasn’t announced pricing, the 2023 model ranges from $30,000 to $52,000 fully loaded. Expect the 2025 version to be priced similarly or slightly higher.
The 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid offers a significant refresh with updated design, advanced technology, and luxurious features; stay tuned for more updates and pricing details as we approach the release date.
The 2025 KIA Sorento: Price and Details
The SUV has been completely renewed with more technology and safety features.
The 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid arrives with a series of updates that improve its appearance, making it safer and more modern and offering a technologically advanced interior to meet the digital demands of today’s consumers.
Design improvements to the new Sorento are notable, with new lighting features including Kia’s signature Star Map lighting at the front and rear, along with amber daytime running lights.
New exterior colours such as Cityscape Green, Mineral Blue, Interstellar Gray and Volcanic Sand are offered to highlight its refreshed appearance and a new Dust Blue interior colour palette that creates a welcoming ambience. The hybrid variant has exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels that add style.
The 2025 KIA Sorento Hybrid offers a standard panoramic instrument panel with a 4.3-inch TFT and 12.3-inch centre display. For the SX-P version, an update is presented with a curved panoramic panel that integrates dual 12.3-inch screens.
Notably, the SUV features wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and USB-C ports conveniently located in all rows. The SX-P trim adds a standard suede headliner, ventilated front seats, and an Advanced Digital Key 2.0 to the list of standard features.
The new 2025 KIA Sorento gets its power from a 1.6-litre direct-injection turbocharged I-4 engine, combined with a 1.5 kWh battery and a 44.2 kW electric motor, providing a total of 227 HP and 349 Nm of torque through from a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Among the driving aids added to the 2025 Sorento Hybrid is the available Smart Cruise Control with Automatic Learning (SCC-ML), designed to adapt and adjust driving style.
The 2025 KIA Sorento Hybrid is now available in the United States at a starting price of $38,690 for the EX variant with front-wheel drive, $40,490 for the all-wheel drive option and $46,890 for the SX version with all-wheel drive.
2025 KIA Sorento Release Date:
Kia Sorento 2025 uses the Opposites United design language, has a distinctive tiger-nose radiator at the front, LED headlights on both sides with a slimmer design and is stacked vertically + daytime running light strips.
The car has redesigned alloy wheels to look more eye-catching and distinctive; the central control area is refined with a reasonable design, increasing modernity and aesthetics.
The product has a large group of curved screens (divided into two small screens of the same size of 12.3 inches) and one screen for the infotainment system with a new operating system. Again, the digital clock cluster is located behind the steering wheel.
The centre console of the car has a fingerprint authentication system. Fingerprint authentication technology will be used when initiating or activating payments.
The 2025 KIA Sorento is expected to have a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine and PHEV or hybrid options. The manufacturer still needs to communicate the rest of the information about this car model.
KIA announced the price of the new 2025 KIA Sorento.
The Asian company’s flagship SUV was wholly renewed with new technology that improves the comfort and safety of its occupants.
In the last few hours, Kia revealed pricing details for the 2025 KIA Sorento PHEV, which has received a series of improvements that give the electrified SUV a safer and more modern appearance, in addition to adding a new version called EX.
The new 2025 KIA Sorento features a more stylish and distinctive look thanks to many new standard lighting elements, including Kia’s signature Star Map lighting at the front and rear and amber daytime running lights.
To highlight the updated appearance of the SUV, new Cityscape Green, Mineral Blue and Volcanic Sand exterior colours have been added, plus a new Dust Blue interior colour that creates a welcoming atmosphere. It also has 19-inch alloy wheels.
Inside is a standard panoramic instrument panel with a 4.3-inch TFT and 12.3-inch screen.
The SX-P variant is updated with a curved panoramic panel incorporating dual 12.3-inch displays. This screen unlocks Kia’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit operating system, with faster processing speeds, feature upgradeability, and digital services available through Over The Air (OTA) updates. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are USB-C ports conveniently located in all three rows.
The SX-P trim adds a standard suede headliner, ventilated front seats, and Advanced Digital Key 2.0 to the features list.
The SUV is equipped with a 1.6-litre turbocharged GDI I-4 engine, a 66.9 kW electric motor, and a 13.8 kWh battery,
Notable comfort systems include intelligent cruise control with automatic learning and available highway driving assistance with automatic lane change.
The new 2025 KIA Sorento is now available in the United States at a starting price of $47,990 for the EX version and $53,090 for the SX.
OVERVIEW:
That midsize SUV with fantastic fuel efficiency is also getting some changes for model year 2025. It’s this vehicle right here, the 2025 KIA Sorento. But guess what? This is not your regular Sorento; this is a Sorento Hybrid, and it’s in the SX Prestige trim.
Before getting into this fuel-sipping, three-row midsize SUV, let’s discuss what’s happening here. Kia has been making changes to their lineup, obviously with redesigns but also with refreshes. In the last model year, 2024, all the other Sorentos got a restyle except for the Hybrid. But now, for 2025, they’re bringing the changes while maintaining excellent fuel efficiency.
That would be the Toyota Grand Highlander, also available as a hybrid. So, I want to find out: if you’re looking for the best midsize three-row SUV that is a hybrid, do you go Sorento, especially this SX Prestige, or do you go Grand Highlander with Toyota?
Let’s go ahead, dive into ours, and find out. Right off the bat, the proportions. Now, if you’re wondering, what is the difference between a Telluride and a Sorento?” The Sorento is a little bit smaller. So, when we get to that third row, don’t be surprised if it’s a little more cramped.
At the front of the business, you’ll see that change in style. We have updated headlights, LED daytime running lamps, and turn signals. They did a quadruple stack of LED projector beam headlights, which is new for the model year 2025 KIA Sorento. As we drop down, we have actual, functional corner air curtains. I like how it’s all body-coloured with a little flat black.
Then, as we coast across that tiger nose grille, you see the new shape and clean style with a forward-facing camera. I like the silver trim along the bottom, some colour, some gloss black, and larger grille lower openings that are functional, flat black with a bit of silver. I like how they brought the silver in the middle and bottom portions. Let me know what you think about the face of this new Sorento Hybrid.
As we rise, the hood will be the same. It’s fantastic that we’re in a day and age where a hybrid no longer has to look weird. If you remember, you returned to the original Honda Insino. It has to look strange. Let’s say it. These look like your standard Sorento with your Kia badge nicely placed up front. I love the metallic dark grey finish of ours.
We have some new changes up front as we come around the bend. Of course, you’ll get some new wheels even on the Hybrid. Here are our Hybrid spec all-new wheels for 2025—lovely, large machine aluminium. I like how they put a cover over the lug nut area to clean up the style and help generate airflow down the side of the vehicle.
Now, because this is a hybrid, you’ve got to be careful. You want to go manageable on the wheels to help fuel efficiency. So, this is a 19-inch wheel. Yes, there are bigger wheels in the midsize SUV segment: 20-inch, 21-inch, heck, there’s even 22-inch. But it’s nice that they found a good compromise. I like how it’s got that rotating kind of star action. Let me know how you feel about the wheel style with our particular one.
The one zonk I have is when you go hybrid, even with the SX Prestige, you get the flat black around the fender opening. I wouldn’t say I like that. I want to see body colour; that would look much better. Let me know how you feel about that in the comments section.
Coming down the side, a little silver trim gives some pizzazz to the side of the door and the fender. We have power-folding mirrors, beautiful metallic grey paint, turn signals, and your gloss black. We have 360° cameras on the bottom there. From the side, you can see that this is a midsize, not a compact. The compact is the Sportage; this is the Sorento. And then, of course, more significant than this would be the Telluride.
A little bit larger, we have our raised silver aluminum-style roof rails. I like the silver finish throughout the whole vehicle: bright, shiny metalwork on both the top and bottom of the window frames. We have colour-matched door handles and a little sprinkling of silver along that side skirt extension.
As we work towards our rear, they do a great job with styling at Kia, especially on the quarter window. I like the way it has some excellent form and function. It’s sportier looking compared to the Grand Highlander. The Grand Highlander is a little boxier, depending on your wants.
When we swing it around the back, look at what I see: no wiper. The wiper is tucked nicely and uptight, cleaning off the rear glass. You’ve got that long roof spoiler that extends off, and then you’ll see how they did the LED lighting. I still need to fall in love with this split setup.
There’s something about it that could speak to me better. But, of course, you got the Kia badge and a plethora of badges: HEV, Hybrid Electric Vehicle, Sorento—that’s the model’s name. Then, as we go down to ground level, it’s super clean: no fake exhaust, nothing tacked on, a little bit of that silver trim, some flat black, and somebody’s colour.
I don’t know about you, but I’m digging into the changes for the 2025 KIA Sorento. Let’s pop the hood and talk about MPGs.
Alright, underneath the hood, you do have hood struts. There is that unique power plant. I’m digging into how they have the engine cover; it’s clean. There’s not a bunch of plastic all over the place. You have your 1.6L turbocharged engine, and as it says, HybridHybrid. There’s our electric motor. So, what are we talking about when we talk about horsepower? Regarding the hybrid hybrid, it has 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
And here’s the big kicker: MPGs, 34 in the city, 34 on the highway. That, to me, is the most telling—those crazy MPG numbers. Does anybody want to guess what combined is? 34. But let’s go ahead, fire this thing up, and see it roll.
Alright, guys, we are inside this 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige. It’s a mouthful, but you’ll be impressed with what you’re getting with this vehicle. I know you’re saying, “Joe, I need more room. I have an extra dog, we adopted a stray cat, I have a couple of kids, and I’m married, so I need the room. But I don’t want to go too big. I kind of like this Sorento. How much is it?”
That is an excellent question. MSRP: remember, this is an SX Prestige; you’re looking at $48,370. Let’s see what you get for the money.
Regarding the door panels, I love the two-tone material. Look at the soft dark black material up top, then at the greyish blue—very modern, very sporty. I love the way it’s got the stitching on the handle there. The one zonk is the gloss black around the switchgear, but other than that, the door panel looks great.
The pocket is on the tight side, so maybe stick with Hot Pockets or Pop-Tarts and a bottle of Yoo-hoo to wash it down. We do have the Bose premium sound system.
When you go from the door panel to the dash, I love how they did some excellent artwork with the AC vents, bringing the trim around with a soft touch. I like the way this is an anti-glare finish. And then, slide on in. What do we have? Not one, but two 12.3-inch screens. Wireless Apple CarPlay wireless Android Auto. I like the separate screen here, especially how it shows your battery charge and all those goodies—your motor and the engine underneath the hood.
We go home, and it’s got all the familiar apps, icons, and widgets, and that’s all setup. Throw it in Reverse, and backup cameras clear as day. This is like the 2020 vision, something Steven doesn’t have, but that’s okay because he still does a great job on the camera.
And you’ll do a plentiful job parking because you have a trajectory and a 360 camera and could spin it around. Look at that. Boom. Go back into Park, right back where we started. And then, watch this. We will keep sliding, and then you can go right to the map. I love how they have that setup—it’s easy, crisp, and functional.
Excellent, you got your AC controls, blower fan, and we have some actual knobs for your dual climate. Work your way down; you’re in a sea of freaking black plastic. I think most people will probably operate this like that; that way, you can get to your wireless charging, your two Twinkies in the storage bin, and your USB-Cs. You have three stages of ventilated seats and three stages of heated seats, which are lovely.