2027 Kia Sorento Hybrid Expert Review
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
The 2027 Sorento Hybrid is the efficiency play in Kia’s more manageable three-row SUV lineup, aimed at shoppers who want extra seats without the bulk or fuel bills of a larger family hauler.
Fresh off two years of updates, it should stay close to the current formula: useful, maneuverable, well equipped, and long-legged between fill-ups. Midsize three-row hybrid competitors include the Toyota Grand Highlander and Hyundai Santa Fe.
After a full refresh for 2025 and a 2026 update that brought a new trim level and cabin revisions, the 2027 Kia Sorento Hybrid is expected to carry over with only minor packaging or trim changes.
This page will be updated with more insights and photos as information becomes available.
The Sorento Hybrid takes one of Kia’s most useful SUVs and adds the fuel economy advantage many family buyers are looking for. It may not have the punch of the turbocharged gas model, but it should remain easy to drive, smartly packaged, and more efficient than the standard Sorento.
Its size is central to the appeal. The Sorento is smaller and easier to maneuver than many three-row SUVs, which makes it friendlier in parking lots and urban driving. The trade-off is a third row better suited to kids or occasional use than regular adult passengers.
Performance is not the Sorento Hybrid’s strongest suit, but that probably won’t matter much to its target buyer. For shoppers who value long range, lower fuel costs, and three-row flexibility in a manageable footprint, the Sorento Hybrid makes a strong case.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
The Sorento Hybrid should again use Kia’s familiar efficiency-minded setup: a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder working with an electric motor. Total output stands at 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive should remain standard, with all-wheel drive available.
This is not the quick Sorento. In MotorTrend testing, a front-drive Sorento Hybrid needed 8.4 seconds to reach 60 mph , which is perfectly livable for family SUV duty but far from exciting. The payoff is smoother low-speed response than many gas-only SUVs and the kind of fuel economy that makes more sense the longer you own it.
Compared with Toyota’s hybrid three-row option, the Kia is a bit down on power. The Grand Highlander Hybrid’s base setup combines a larger naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with electric motors for 245 hp, and in our testing, an AWD Grand Highlander Hybrid hit 60 mph in a much quicker 7.5 seconds.
MPGs and Range
Efficiency should remain one of the Sorento Hybrid’s strongest selling points. Front-wheel-drive models should stay around 37/36 mpg city/highway, with an estimated driving range of about 655 miles. All-wheel-drive versions will likely return roughly 32/35 mpg and about 602 miles of range.
Those numbers should keep the Sorento Hybrid highly competitive against larger hybrid three-row SUVs. The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is rated at 37/34 mpg with FWD and 36/ 32 mpg with AWD, with estimated ranges of 619 miles and 585 miles, respectively.
The Sorento Hybrid may be smaller, but its range advantage makes it especially appealing for road trips and long commutes.
Safety Ratings and Features
Last year’s Sorento Hybrid earned a NHTSA five-star overall safety rating and is expected to perform similarly this year. The hybrid isn’t singled out by IIHS, but the standard model does receive a 2026 Top Safety Pick+ award.
Standard driver assist safety features include:
Blind-spot monitoring
Automatic emergency braking
Rear cross-traffic monitoring
Front and rear parking sensors
Lane keeping
Highway Driving Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane centering
Driver focus monitoring
Traffic sign monitoring
Higher trim levels unlock a 360-degree camera and driver display-based blind-spot view monitor.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The Sorento Hybrid seats up to seven, but its smaller midsize footprint means the third row is best reserved for kids or occasional use. Cargo space is useful, though it trails roomier hybrid three-row rivals such as the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid.
Legroom (first/second/third row)
Cargo Space (behind first/second/third rows)
2027 Kia Sorento Hybrid
41.4/40.7/29.6 inches
75.5/38.5–45.0/12.6 cubic feet
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
44.4/41.5/30.0 inches
79.6/40.5/14.6 cubic feet
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
41.7/39.5/33.5 inches
97.5/57.9/20.6 cubic feet
A 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard across the Sorento Hybrid lineup. as are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto , USB charging ports in all three rows, and a wireless phone charging pad. The base model gets a 4.0-inch information screen; a 12.3-inch driver display is also available.
The entry-level hybrid features six speakers. Moving up to the higher trim level nets a 12-speaker Bose system.
Stepping up to the higher grade brings ventilated front seats and heated rear seats and steering wheel . This model also comes with power-folding side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and a phone-based digital key.
Even with an expected price increase, the 2027 Sorento Hybrid should remain a strong value thanks to its excellent fuel economy, long driving range, and generous standard safety tech.
Kia also includes plenty of everyday convenience features, such as powered and heated front seats, remote start, a hands-free power liftgate, automatic high-beams, privacy glass, an acoustic windshield, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
What's Your Car Worth?
MotorTrend calculates your car's value in three free and easy steps - using the same Black Book® data dealers use to appraise vehicles.
Get My Trade-In Value
The higher trim adds desirable upscale touches, but the base model should hit the sweet spot for most shoppers. Its feature set is already generous, with a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless device charging, USB ports for all three rows, and a power liftgate.