Euro-Spec Kia Sorento PHEV Range Way Better Than U.S. Model, But There's a Catch

U.S. fans quickly received two Sorento X-Line concepts, the Sorento Yosemite and Sorento Zion Edition in November. Now, in December, the carmaker is taking care of European customers, revealing a host of new details about its Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

First up, the company has revealed the PHEV derivative has started production at home in South Korea, with first deliveries on the Old Continent scheduled for early next year. European buyers are getting a host of interesting perks to go along with the electrification credentials.

The seven-year, 150,000 km (93k miles), warranty is already a classic, but the KiaCharge service (gives access to 160k charging points across the European region to eligible buyers) is a novelty. Additionally, Kia has also revealed a host of important technical specifications.

For example, the SUV’s plug-in hybrid powertrain “promises the lowest CO2 emissions ever” for a Kia Sorento – just 38 g/km, according to the weighted and combined WLTP cycle. Interestingly, the automaker’s official WLTP rating of 57 km (35.4 miles) for the electric range is better than what has been announced for the U.S.-spec Sorento PHEV (48 km / 30 miles).

It gets even better when only dwelling in urban areas because according to the EAER city standard, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid will be capable of covering up to 70 km (43.49 miles) with a single charge of the battery pack. There’s a catch, though.

Said battery pack for the U.S.-spec Sorento PHEV has a lower capacity of 8 kWh – while the European Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is rated at 13.8 kWh. We have no idea why the higher capacity for the Old Continent, since the performance details remain unchanged, with the powertrain capable of delivering a total of 265 PS (261 hp).

If it’s any consolation for U.S. buyers, pricing hasn’t been announced on the Old Continent either. It's worth noting that Europeans also get a seriously-underpowered on-board charger, capable of sipping just 3.3 kW.