2021 Kia Sorento Will Get Hybrid And Plug-In Hybrid Versions

• Official reveal takes place tomorrow, March 19^th.

• Recent Kia vehicle design cues are evident.

• There will be a hybrid, PHEV, and a diesel powertrain.

It is clear the fourth generation of the Kia Sorento is headed for bigger and better things. The list of improvements is considerable and simply by the looks of it, it projects a far more premium attitude. While we already had a number of details on the 2021 Kia Sorento a month ago, we were missing details on its powertrains.

The new Sorento sits on Kia’s new-generation midsize SUV platform and this has allowed designers and engineers to almost anything. The body is larger which translates into more room for everything and everyone. It also now packs more technology and must-have features like an available combination 12.3-inch digital driver instrument cluster and 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display.

The new 2021 Kia Sorento sports a 35mm longer wheelbase which plays a crucial part in the SUV’s new interior accommodations, and on-road behaviour. With the heavily revised fully independent suspension, Kia promises that overall driving comfort is on the rise.

The information from Kia we needed is here. The new 2021 Kia Sorento will be available as a hybrid and eventually, with plug-in hybrid technology.

The hybrid will pair a turbocharged 1.6-litre T-GDi 4-cylinder engine with a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 44.2 kW electric motor. Total system output is set at 227-horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. The electric motor will be mated with the 6-speed automatic transmission.

Kia will also offer new 4-cylinder 2.2-litre ‘Smartstream’ diesel engine for European market, good for 199-horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque. It is highly unlikely this mill will come to North America.

The 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid will go on sale in select European market a little later this year. The plug-in variant follows in late 2020. Dates for North American introduction are not yet known however we assume they won’t be too far off.