2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX AWD Review: Smooth, Upmarket Operator

Hybrid crossover SUVs are definitely taking the automotive world by storm with cost-effective pricing and their cutting-edge efficiency and safety technology. Here in Go Flat Out PH, we had the opportunity to review the 2023 Kia Sorento SX in diesel form, where we see the brand transition to a more upmarket brand, but still maintaining mainstream appeal. With the introduction of the top-of-the-line 2025 Kia Sorento Turbo Hybrid SX, it might be proof that they are headed in the right direction. Let’s get into it. 

Exterior 

Since I’m new here, I don’t think I mentioned it, but I really love “boxy” body shapes for cars. Sure, they might have the aerodynamics of a refrigerator, but they just look so good. The same goes for this 2025 Kia Sorento; this particular unit came in the color Volcanic Sand Brown, and I love the boxy lines the car has. It doesn’t feel contrived, but everything just looks proportional. 

At the front, the Sorento Turbo Hybrid received a refreshed look compared to the 2023 pre-facelift model. It now features a bolder, more aggressive grille and sleek vertical LED headlight that properly complements the grille’s design. All trim levels of the Kia Sorento come standard with multi-reflector LED headlights, along with LED DRLs (Daytime Running Lights). 

At the back, the rear bumper received minimal updates with a much sleeker, much simpler bumper guard, losing some vents on the side. You still have your standard LED taillights, but the housing now becomes a bit wider and connected at the top, which I think gives it a more “complete look”. Lastly, as for the wheels, the Sorento sits on 19-inch alloy two-tone wheels as part of the overall design update. 

Interior And Cargo Space 

When getting in the Kia Sorento, you will be greeted with a premium interior accommodating up to seven passengers. It features comfortable leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, a smart keyless entry for convenience, a Bose sound system, and a completely updated dash with a single panoramic curved display. In the center, you will notice that the traditional level gear shifter has been replaced with a rotary shifter and another rotary knob for the driving and terrain modes. 

To reduce clutter in the center, the Sorento has dual-function controls for the infotainment and climate. It has a touch screen and 2 knobs on both ends to control, depending on what you switch from infotainment to climate control. I like that there’s still this tactile feel with these buttons and not just screens. 

There’s plenty of space for those seated at the back, too, aided by its large panoramic sunroof. There are rear aircon vents, USB charging ports mounted at the sides of the front seats, and plenty of storage on the doors and the foldable center armrest. Third-row access is fairly easy, too, with the one-touch button sliding the second-row in one sweeping motion. As expected, though, the third-row is meant for small adults or children, but it has better space utilization than what you’d find in a pickup-based body-on-frame SUV.

For cargo space, the Kia Sorento offers about 13 cubic feet of space when the 3rd row is folded, plenty for a stroller and a couple of luggage. When the 2nd and 3rd row are folded, it has now about 2,011 liters of space, accommodating for much bigger items, when you don’t have passengers. Because the floor is low and wide, loading bulky items is a lot easier compared to other cars. At the back, you also see hooks for bags and maybe groceries to avoid spilling. 

Engine Specifications 

The 2025 Kia Sorento SX rocks a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It makes a combined output of 235 hp and a noteworthy 367 Nm of torque, putting it down into all four wheels in the SX variant. In driving, this translates to a great amount of torque that comes in handy both in highway merging and in-city street drives, as well as in situations wherein you need a dose of fun and power, in which the Kia Sorento does not disappoint, especially when put into the built-in sport driving mode.

Driving Experience

For this experience, I was able to take the Kia out on some winding and curving roads in Tagaytay and long highway drives to Clark, Pampanga. 

Let’s start with Tagaytay. What would you expect from an SUV when taken to winding roads? The 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid features a MacPherson Strut suspension and multi-link rear end, and I was pleasantly surprised that it handled tight roads and winding corners very well with very minimal body roll while being able to maintain a decently comfortable ride. The 235/55 Continental tires wrapped around the 19-inch wheels help a whole lot in keeping the car planted with a firm grip on the road, even during some harsh maneuvers.

The only concern I have is that the suspension may appear very stiff with slightly uneven road surfaces, and the fact that the regenerative braking or engine braking somewhat disappears when the battery is fully charged. You have to switch to sport mode and manually use the paddle shifters to have engine braking. But honestly, not so much of a deal breaker.  

Now moving on to a long highway drive, I would say that the Sorento is the absolute choice for long highway road trips. The drive was a round trip from Silang, Cavite, all the way to Clark, Pampanga, and back. The first leg of the trip was 2 hours, and it was a very pleasant 2 hours. The suspensions were nice and smooth on the long drive, and aiding in comfort were the seats!

Not only are they comfortable, but they also have cooled seats. It’s the little things you take for granted, and I never knew how much nicer the ride would be with cooled seats. It can be adjusted with switches in the center, depending on whether you like it warmer or colder. Unfortunately, not all Sorento models have this feature; it is only offered in the range-topping SX and EX+. Lane keeping assist and steering assist also came in handy during the trip to remind me when I’m not properly in a lane. 

Yes, the Sorento is absolutely amazing for long highway drives, but just like anything else, there are some things it can improve on. The Sorento, being a hybrid, can cruise in EV mode, but it only engages during low speeds, descents, and sometimes during light acceleration. When you hit higher speeds on the highway, EV mode is rarely utilized, and the combustion engine is what does most of the work versus other hybrids. There is unfortunately no way of manually switching to EV mode, and it was frustrating sometimes when you see the battery charge more than half, and yet you can’t utilize any of that energy. With that said, efficiency would hover at around 15 km/L at around 100km/h speeds. All in all, it performed really well in this four-hour round trip.  

Safety

Now pivoting to the safety features of the Sorento, much like Honda with its Honda Sensing, Kia has introduced DriveWise, an extensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This includes Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Follow Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control, among other features. This also includes a set of cameras, namely the Blind Spot View Monitor and a 360-Degree Surround View Monitor. I was pleased that the camera offered clear resolution to the outside surroundings while maintaining its accurate distancing for objects and easy use. It takes some getting used to operating the cruise control and lane assist buttons, but I like that they are within thumb’s reach and easy to adjust depending on your preference.

Conclusions 

The 2025 Kia Sorento Turbo Hybrid SX shows just how far the brand has come in redefining itself as a more premium yet still practical option. Its bold design with the exterior and tech-filled, comfortable, and yet simple interior, paired with its hybrid powertrain that balances performance and efficiency, makes it a strong contender in the increasingly competitive hybrid crossover segment. Whether tackling traffic in the city, winding roads in the mountains, or long, extensive highway roadtrips, the Sorento delivers comfort, capability, safety, and confidence. With this, Kia’s move toward a more upscale yet accessible SUV feels like it’s headed in the right direction, and the Sorento Hybrid SX might be one of its most compelling mileposts yet. 

Price: P2,888,000*

*Correct as of this article’s writing