Quick Facts:
- Model: 2027 Kia Sorento PHEV, a three-row plug-in hybrid SUV.
- Trim: One, the X-Line SX-Prestige AWD.
- Price: $53,890 MSRP, plus $1,495 destination.
- Dropped: The EX trim, listed at $48,290 for 2026.
- New for 2027: Standard head-up display, Pale Gray paint, X-Line seat backs, and wood inlays.
- Power: 268 hp and 270 lb-ft combined, per Kia’s 2027 sheet.
- Electric range: 31 miles from a 14 kWh battery.
- Efficiency: 74 MPGe combined and 33 mpg on gasoline alone.
- On-sale date: Not stated in Kia’s release.
6 min read
In This Article
Sorento PHEV Overview: One Trim Left
Kia America has trimmed the 2027 Sorento PHEV lineup to a single model. The X-Line SX-Prestige AWD now starts at $53,890 MSRP, plus $1,495 for destination, bringing the total to $55,385. Kia announced the change in a press release on October 19, 2026.
The Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid pairs a turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor and a 14 kWh battery. You charge the battery from an outlet, while the regular Sorento Hybrid never plugs in. Notably, Kia’s release prints “Sorento HEV” above the price, which looks like a typo for PHEV.
The bigger story is what disappeared. Kia listed the 2026 EX at $48,290, so the cheapest plug-in Sorento now costs $5,600 more to start. However, the top trim rose only $400, from $53,490 to $53,890.
Charging speed decides how useful a plug-in feels day to day. For example, Kia’s 2026 specifications list a four-hour charge on 240 volts. Previous-model owners report 10 to 12 hours on a household outlet. Owners also say the onboard charger tops out near 3.8 kW. Therefore, a home Level 2 charger matches this 3.8 kW rate, and a bigger unit would not charge faster.
A 40 or 48 amp wall unit therefore charges at the same rate as a cheaper one. Choose for build quality and an easy install. All three chargers below use a J1772 plug on 240 volts. The Grizzl-E Classic and the Autel 40A Level 2 EV Charger plug into a NEMA 14-50 outlet, while the EMPORIA Level 2 EV Charger hardwires to your panel.
Home Level 2 chargers for a plug-in hybrid
What Changed From the 2026 Model Year
Two changes stand out for model year 2027. First, the EX trim leaves the lineup, so the X-Line becomes the only PHEV. Next, a head-up display becomes standard.
The rest is cosmetic. Pale Gray replaces Steel Gray in the exterior color list. In addition, the only trim gains X-Line embossed front seat backs and machined wood inlays on the instrument panel and doors.
Kia’s release does not explain the decision, and it gives no on-sale date. As a result, ask a dealer about allocation before you plan around a 2027 model. Ask about a leftover 2026 EX too, although Kia has not said whether any remain.
What the Single Trim Includes
Because Kia sells one trim, every buyer gets the same equipment. The X-Line SX-Prestige includes all-wheel drive, a 12.3-inch reconfigurable instrument display, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.
Comfort features include a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. Second-row captain’s chairs and a 50/50 split-folding third row complete the seating.
Driver aids include Highway Driving Assist 2, a surround view monitor, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. A 115-volt inverter outlet also comes standard, which helps at a campsite.
For rougher roads, the trim also adds X-Line bumpers with molded-in skid plates and drive modes for snow, mud, and sand. Ground clearance measures 6.93 inches, with a 16.8-degree approach angle and a 21.2-degree departure angle.
Battery, Range and Towing
Kia’s 2027 sheet lists a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a 91 hp electric motor. Combined output reaches 268 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic sends power to all four wheels.
The 14 kWh battery delivers 31 miles of electric range, and Kia estimates 74 MPGe combined. Once the battery runs down, the car returns an estimated 33 mpg on gasoline alone.
Two numbers deserve a second look. Kia’s 2026 page puts combined output at 261 hp, while the 2027 sheet shows 268 hp. The release does not mention a powertrain change.
Towing is the other number to check. The 2026 page cites 2,000 pounds, while the 2027 sheet gives only an unbraked figure of 1,654 pounds. Confirm the braked rating with a dealer before you buy a hitch.
Sorento PHEV vs. Sorento Hybrid
Next, the nearest alternative sits in the same showroom. As we reported in our look at 2027 Sorento Hybrid pricing, the top Hybrid trim costs $47,590, and the cheapest Hybrid starts at $39,090.
Compared with the top Hybrid trim, the Sorento PHEV costs $6,300 more. The premium buys a larger battery, a plug, and 31 miles of electric driving.
Whether the premium pays back depends on how often you charge. A short commute with home charging gets the most from the battery. Without a plug at home, you carry a 322-pound battery for little benefit, so I would pick the Hybrid.
What This Means for You
We dug into owner threads on Kia forums and Reddit, plus owner reviews on Edmunds. Most of it comes from earlier Sorento PHEV model years, and some from other Sorento models, so none of it covers the 2027 specifically.
If You Shop on Price
The EX exit raised the entry ticket. If the $5,600 step is too much, look instead at the Hybrid, which starts at $39,090, or a leftover 2026 EX. Meanwhile, the owner threads we read give no clear answer on whether the top trim was worth the extra money.
If You Drive It Daily
Previous-model owners keep praising the same strengths. They like mostly electric daily driving, a quiet and comfortable ride, and family space. For example, in mild weather owners report about 28 to 30 real-world electric miles, and a few report up to 37 miles on ideal days.
In my view, this is the point of the vehicle: errands on electricity, with the gas engine behind you on road trips. Owner reports point to trade-offs in cold weather and in the third row. Owners say the engine runs for cabin heat in winter, which cuts efficiency, and they call the third row tight.
Finally, reliability reports are mixed. Many owners report trouble-free ownership, while a minority report hybrid system warnings and repeat dealer visits.
If You Leave the Pavement
The X-Line badge adds skid plates and terrain modes. Yet this is still a crossover. With 6.93 inches of clearance, plan on graded roads, not rock crawling. Owners of other Sorento models say graded gravel is fine if you slow down, and several name low-profile tires as the weak point.
The spare is a temporary unit, so a flat is the first worry. A tire plug kit and a compact 12-volt inflator cover the basics. Likewise, a pair of traction boards helps in the snow, mud, and sand the drive modes target, since this crossover weighs about 4,700 pounds.
These three picks match the spare and the weight. The Slime 20290-1 Tire Plug Kit Pro Series repairs a tread puncture on the spot, which keeps you off the temporary spare. Next, the VIAIR 88P 00088 12V Portable Air Compressor Kit refills the tire from your 12 volt outlet. For soft ground, the MAXTRAX MKII Safety Orange Vehicle Recovery Board pair gives a 4,700 pound crossover grip.
Flat tire and traction gear for the Sorento
VIAIR 88P 00088 12V Portable Air Compressor Kit for Car and Truck T…
Want another plug-in? See Nissan’s plug-in hybrid pickup, which has no US date yet. Prefer a different three-row hybrid? See the Toyota Grand Highlander Woodland. Camping far from outlets? Read our explainer on electric powertrains for overlanding.
Final Thoughts
All told, the 2027 Sorento PHEV now costs more to enter. If you charge at home, drive mostly short trips, and want a quiet three-row with all-wheel drive, the single trim covers nearly everything you would want. I would start there.
The trade-offs are plain. For instance, the entry price rose by $5,600, the tow rating needs a dealer’s confirmation, and owners report weaker winter efficiency and a tight third row. If you have no plug at home, the Hybrid is the better fit.
I like the 31 miles of electric driving and the long list of standard equipment. However, I wish Kia had kept the EX for shoppers who wanted the plug without the full price. Until Kia confirms an on-sale date, talk to your dealer about allocation. Meanwhile, price out the Hybrid so you know where you stand.
FAQ
How much does the 2027 Sorento PHEV cost?
MSRP is $53,890 for the X-Line SX-Prestige AWD, the only trim. Destination adds $1,495, bringing the total to $55,385 before taxes and dealer fees. Dealers set actual selling prices.
What is the electric range of the Sorento PHEV?
Kia lists an electric range of 31 miles. Owners of earlier models report about 28 to 30 miles in mild weather. Cold weather lowers efficiency, according to owners.
What is the difference between the Sorento Hybrid and the Sorento PHEV?
The Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid has a 14 kWh battery you charge from an outlet. In contrast, the regular Hybrid never plugs in. Also, the PHEV costs $6,300 more than the top Hybrid trim.
How big is the Sorento PHEV battery?
Kia lists a 14 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery rated at 360 volts. It weighs 322 pounds. Kia’s 2026 specifications list about four hours to charge on 240 volts.
Does the Sorento PHEV have a third row?
Yes. The 2027 model has second-row captain’s chairs and a 50/50 split-folding third row. Cargo space measures 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 38.5 to 45.0 cubic feet behind the second row.