Kia Sorento PHEV 2026 unveiled with design and tech updates

Kia announced 2026 Sorento PHEV pricing from $48,290, with new X-Line trim, Terrain Mode standard and interior updates. Details on trims and features included.

Kia has announced pricing and updates for the 2026 Sorento PHEV, highlighting design revisions, new technology features, and adjusted trim levels while keeping the familiar hybrid setup intact.

The lineup begins at $48,290 for the EX trim, with the X-Line SX-Prestige priced at $53,490. Compared to the 2025 model year, the starting price rises by roughly $300.

Visually, the most striking change is the new X-Line package, which adds gloss black elements to wheels, roof rails, and trim pieces, along with an exclusive badge. Inside, a redesigned steering wheel now integrates hands-on-detection technology, and every model comes standard with a combined Level 1 and Level 2 charging cable. The interior palette has been revised, dropping the Dust Blue option and introducing a new one-tone black leather finish.

Another key update is the inclusion of Terrain Mode across all trims with all-wheel drive, enhancing stability on varied surfaces. The EX now defaults to a second-row bench seat, while the available Premium Package restores captain’s chairs and adds Bose audio and a panoramic roof.

Under the hood, the PHEV retains its 261-hp hybrid system with a 13.8-kWh battery, delivering around 30 miles of electric driving range. Official EPA ratings for 2026 have not yet been released, but the 2025 model offered 79 MPGe combined and roughly 34 mpg once the battery was depleted.

Analysts at MotorTrend describe the Sorento PHEV as a niche choice within Kia’s lineup—well-suited for drivers who charge frequently and want three-row versatility paired with fuel efficiency. Yet the cost-benefit balance compared with standard hybrid versions remains a point of debate.

The 2026 Sorento PHEV is set to arrive in the U.S. and Canadian markets soon, while it continues to be offered in Europe with a seven-year battery warranty guaranteeing at least 70% capacity. In the U.S., Kia backs the powertrain and high-voltage components with its well-known 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.