2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid Adds A New Flagship Model, Starts $37,885

If you seek to buy the new 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid, you have to dish out a little extra compared to what you have to pay for the outgoing model (starting at AED 99,900). It happens due to the rearrangement of trim levels in the lineup, which takes the price above $40,000 while also increasing the base retail price by $2,500.

Kia has introduced a new trim level called the Sorento Hybrid SX Prestige (SX-P). It sits at the top of the lineup, offering standard all-wheel drive and a center locking differential. The premium SX-P also comes equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, second-row captain’s chairs, a power rear liftgate, the high-end Bose stereo system, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, and lots of other desirable features.

The tech updates for the flagship SX Prestige include navigation-based cruise control and a 360-degree camera, which complements the Kia’s Drive Wise driver assistant tech. The suite comprises lane-keep assist, forward collision warning with emergency braking, blind spot, and rear-traffic collision avoidance assist, and radar cruise control.

Besides the usual safety systems, the Sorento Hybrid also boasts occupant systems like safe exit assist and rear occupant alert. Basically, the safety suite comes standard for all Sorento variants.

Talking about the variants, we only have two. Kia added the SX-P and ditched the entry-level S. It means the EX is the entry-level model now for this SUV’s purchasers. It is why Kia has increased the base price by $2,500.

The year-over-year value for the EX just jumped by $500, which is not massive considering it now has an 8-way power front passenger seat. A frameless rearview mirror is also a part of the deal.

The 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid features the old 1.6-litre four-cylinder mill getting aid from a 44-kilowatt electric motor. The hybrid powertrain generates 227 horsepower (169 kW) and 258 pound-feet (350 Newton-Meters) of torque. The power goes to the standard front wheels for the EX or optional all-wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. As revealed earlier, the flagship model comes exclusively with an all-wheel drive layout.

Kia plans to introduce the refreshed Sorento in 2024.

Source and Images: Motor1