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The cost of entry into an electrified Kia Sorento has been reduced by nearly $15,000 with more hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants now offered in Australia.
Family Cars
The Kia Sorento family SUV line-up has grown in Australia, with more affordable hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants added to the range.
With the introduction of the front- and all-wheel-drive S, Sport and Sport+ hybrid variants – joining the existing GT-Line Hybrid FWD and Hybrid AWD – the Sorento Hybrid now starts from $56,380 before on-road costs, almost $15,000 less than the GT-Line.
Pricing for carryover variants, including petrol V6 and diesel AWD grades, has increased between $500 and $2160, with the largest price rise applied to the GT-Line PHEV AWD, which now costs $86,790.
The most affordable plug-in Sorento is now the S PHEV AWD at $70,880, almost $16,000 less than the GT-Line.
However, it is $19,500 more expensive than an equivalent petrol V6, $16,500 more than the diesel, and $11,500 more than the hybrid AWD.
Across the range, the FWD and AWD hybrids command a $5000 premium over the FWD petrol or AWD diesel, respectively, while the PHEVs are $11,500 dearer than their non-plug-in hybrid equivalents.
Compared to the Kia, the related Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid ranges from $57,650 to $77,150 before on-road costs, slightly more than the Kia, while the larger Toyota Kluger Hybrid retails between $62,410 and $85,135 plus on-roads.
Meanwhile, a plug-in hybrid Mazda CX-80 costs between $75,250 and $87,450, closely aligning it with the Sorento PHEV. However, both models are dearer than the Chery Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 9 PHEVs.
With the addition of new hybrid FWD, hybrid AWD and plug-in hybrid AWD variants, the Kia Sorento range now comprises 20 configurations, featuring five powertrain options across its four grades: S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line.
It is the only car currently sold in Australia to offer customers the distinct choice of petrol-only, diesel-only, petrol-electric hybrid, and petrol-electric plug-in hybrid power.
All propulsion types covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing conducted in 2020.
An expanded hybrid range was confirmed by Kia Australia in December 2024 due to improved production availability, along with the brand needing to navigate Australia's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which tracks the emissions of all new cars sold in Australia.
"We'll expand the [hybrid] range of the Sorento, Carnival and Sportage – we've gone to the GT-Line [only] essentially up until now," Kia Australia chief operating officer Dennis Piccoli said.
"As the availability improves, so will the variants."
The petrol Sorento features a 200kW/332Nm 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine matched to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic, while the diesel is a 148kW/440Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder unit with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Hybrid and plug-in hybrid Sorentos have a 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.
The regular hybrid adds a 44kW/264Nm electric motor for a 169kW/350Nm combined output, while the plug-in has a 67kW/394Nm electric motor for a combined 195kW/350Nm.
The hybrids have a six-speed automatic transmission, with combined fuel consumption rated at 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres for the hybrid FWD, 5.7L/100km for the hybrid AWD, and 1.6L/100km for the PHEV AWD.
With a 14kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the plug-in hybrid has an NEDC-rated 68km electric-only claimed driving range, compared to 65km for a Mazda CX-80 P50e, 95km for a Chery Tiggo 8, and 170km for a Chery Tiggo 9.
The expanded 2025 Kia Sorento line-up is now available to order, ahead of updated Model Year 2026 (MY26) examples due by the end of the year.
For 2026, all Sorento variants are expected to gain a different four-spoke steering wheel with an off-centre Kia logo and grip detection, along with enhanced functionality for its lane-following assist.
In Korea, the SUV also receives ambient lighting in the front door map pockets, a new 19-inch alloy wheel design, digital key functionality, and 'touch-type' door handle controls, with Australian details yet to be confirmed.
2025 Kia Sorento price in Australia
Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.
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Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.
