Driving Report: Kia Sorento 1.6 T-GDI Plug-in

How he looks: big, powerful, self-confident. At 4.81 meters in length and 2.17 meters wide, the Sorento counts to those SUVs, which can be overlooked only hardly. Kia otherwise gladly refers to the European background of his models, with compact creed, for example, so. The Sorento produced in South Korean Hwassung, on the other hand, can also be used US-American taste sensitivity, with a front, which is a present grille written in the face and a tailpiece, which adorns itself with a sporty roof edge spoiler and the vertical double of the taillights.

As it is set up: As regards the quality of workmanship, the KIA portfolio has caught up for impeccable reputation. The Sorento also drives with fine materials and pleasant feel close to the premium standard, especially since in the top version Platinum. In the field of drivers or driver, the now common digital displays as well as a head-up display, the latter remains reserved for the Platinum Level and is installed as standard here. Already in the second highest Spirit level also includes leather for delivery, which may be a customer who register with goodwill, in an increasingly veganized climate, others could feel as a disadvantage that no alternative can be ordered.

A lot going on in the cockpit: the operating functions are manifold. Manufacturer

How to deal with yourself: in a mix of dead and slides, which concerns the 26 centimeters wide infomonitor with its crystal clear image conversion, but also from keys, press and wheel turn. The speed steps of the six-speed automatic are selected via a rotary control. Technically technically is quite nice what s going on in the Sorento.

Kia has solved the problem with the dead angle: When the turn signal is set, the action is recorded in the unsavcilable area on the driver s display. This works well, but only as long as the lane is dry as soon as splashing water is whirled up, picture is clouded. From the language assistance we got to hear all too often that the background noise be loud to understand our wish.

The Navi in ​​turn provides real-time traffic data and informs about petrol stations, fuel prices as well as - especially in the plug-in hybrid charging stations, the pedestrian route takes place on the last meters by smartphone. And a watchful assistant, via warning tone, points to stationary speed measuring systems to signal after passing the same with a now cheerful sound sequence that the danger is over.

Speaking of sound: On request, the BOSE system supplies the interior with various sound cows, which are popular from gentle sea noise - definitely popular in winter - a prettling firebire to the might frequented street café.

How much space he has: lots. How many of the larger SUVs has also taken the Sorento bonds in the room concept of the fashion-made vans. The second row of seats is displaceable and foldable, as an alternative to this three-back seat, the top model Platinum can be furnished with two individual, in turn displacement and folding single seats (990 euros), and as another option (also 990 euros) there are the Option of two additional seats equipped with separate climate control in third series, which makes Sorento for the six-or seven-seater. All passengers are available to USB ports.

Room giant: The Sorento offers a lot of trunk and optionally a (folded here) third row of seats. Manufacturer

The luggage compartment of the five-seater offers opulent 898 to 2077 liters capacity. Practical detail: Under the loading floor, a storage compartment is waiting for the charging cable.

What drives him: The drive work shares the 132 kW / 186 hp strong and 265 Newton meters producing 1,6-l four-cylinder turbo gasinine with an electric motor, which contributes 67 kW / 91 hp and 304 Newton meters. The teamwork generates a system performance of 195 kW / 265 hp and a system torque of 350 Newton meters. Thus, the plug-in hybrid is powerful to the top of the Sorento program, which also provides a full-hybrid gasoline and a diesel. The electric part of the plug-in includes a 13.8 kWh battery. And: unlike the full-hybrid and diesel, which are also available as a front drive, the drive forces are generally forwarded to all four wheels.

As he moves: About a button on the center console, the decision can be made as to whether the Sorento should drive only electrically (EV mode, up to 140 km / h) or - then in HEV operation - rather on the Burning; The automatic switching again activates situation due to the most sensible type of drive. The interaction between electricity and sprayed driving works very well, especially in the city often takes over the electric motor, and as long as there are still e-reserves available, the PHEV-Sorento can also accelerate and even in the rapid progress on the highway from the full draw his 265 hp.

But as soon as the battery is empty, the now solely responsible gasoline is not a certain effort not to conceal, even acoustically not. And the automatic switching to supersedly switching six-speed transducer control makes a tiny moment of reflection at higher performance requirement until it reacts.

The traction strength of the four-wheel drive is already advantageous in wet, the all-terrain-mode function of the rotary-press controller on the center console enables fine tuning for snowy, muddy or sandy underground.

With 2015 kilograms, the plug-in hybrid is anything but a lightweight and, little surprising, the hardest in the Sorento palette. Consequently, he acts less than agile brother lightweight, but as a dignified cozy glider, which is missing for the last perfection but especially on the rough background a bit of ride comfort.

Part-time current: In Sorento Phev, a gasoline and an electric motor teamwork operate. Manufacturer

How far he comes electrically: The WLTP standard speaks of 57 kilometers. Should the stricter guidelines be implemented for plug-in hybrids, Sorento Phev would have to be appointed to its CO2 emissions (36 g / km) from the coming year to continue to benefit from the Environmental Premium - 5625 euros net. Fell the CO2 criterion away from October, there would be no federal subsidies more.

In practice, we were mostly electrically covered by 45 kilometers.

How to load: DC fast shop can not the Sorento plug-in hybrid, he fell only alternating current, this three-phase and up to 3.3 kW. This is not a particularly strong performance, but is in the area of ​​what plug-in hybrids are commonplace. Reinjustically, it needs a bit more than four hours to completely charge the empty battery on the wallbox or public charging column. On the normal power outlet, around five and a half hours are to be counted. Unfortunately, the Sorento PHEV unfortunately only a charging cable for just the household socket.

What he consumes: Meeting a valid statement is not easy for plug-in hybrids because the electrical component varies on the route. On average we were with 7.8 l / 100 km, plus driving current. A long-distance ride in pure burner operation and with a quick highway tempo was acknowledged with 9.2 l / 100 km. One should know that the fuel tank only fits modest 47 liters - all 20 liters less than in the full-hybrid or diesel.

With plug: The charging port is located on the rear right. Manufacturer

What he offers: Except for the basic equipment Edition7, KIA offers all Sorento levels for the plug-in hybrids. Let s start at Vision ; 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, reversing camera, seat heating, highway, lane, and traffic control, navigation-based adaptive cruise, navigation system and full LED headlamps are part of the generated delivery.

A meaningful choice is Spirit, Here Bose surround system adds up with twelve speakers, ambient light, exit assist (to protect cyclists), electric tailgate, cross-traffic alarm and leather outlets.

The opulence of the top model Platinum may not anyone who has head-up display, all-round visual camera, the dead angle wizard with monitor display or remote-controlled in- and outlet (remote parking assistant) on the wish list, but does not come around the highest level. The details mentioned are then ex works.

What it costs: As a vision from 54,940 euros. Spirit is at least 58,940, Platinum on 62,940 euros.

What we mean: Anyone who researches the automotive offer for a plug-in hybrids with extensive to luxury equipment and a lot of variable space, ends with the Kia Sorento 1.6 T-GDI plug-in hybrid certainly a hit. Restrictions must be accepted for ride comfort - and that some desirable equipment details are reserved for only the highest amenities. The electrical talent of the part-time current pays as always only for the, which drives a lot of short route and Laded discipline lays on the day. Long-distance riders are better served with the approximately 8500 euros cheaper Sorento diesel.

The data of the Kia Sorento 1.6 T-GDI

Combustion engine: displacement 1598 CCM, Cylinder 4, Power 132 kW / 180 hp at 5500 / min, max. Torque 265 nm at 1500 - 4500 / min. Electric motor: Power 66 kW / 91 hp at 2100 - 3300 / min, max. Torque 304 Nm at 0-2100 / min. System performance 195kW / 265 hp, system torque 350 nm. tip 193 km / h, purely electric 140 km / h, acceleration 0 to 100 km / h in 8.7 sec, standard consumption 1.3 l s, 16.1 kWh / Electricity per 100 km. Test consumption 7.8 l / 100 km. CO2 emission 36 g / km, pollutant class Euro 6D, Energy efficiency class A +++, Length 4.81 m, Width 1.90 m without, 2.17 m with outside mirrors, height 1.70 m (with roof rail), trunk 898 to 2077 l, Fuel tank 47 l, empty weight 2015 - 2130 kg Permissible total weight 2530 kg, Payload 515 kg, Trailer load 1500 kg (braked), 750 kg (unbraked). 6-G automatic, four-wheel drive. Insurance type classes 19 (kH), 25 (TK), 27 (VK). Price from 54,940 euros.