The Kia Sorento has long been one of Australia’s most practical and family-friendly SUVs. With the release of the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid, Kia aims to raise the bar even higher. Offering a combination of hybrid efficiency, seating for seven, advanced safety technology, and premium features, the Sorento enters 2025 as one of the most compelling options for growing families.
This review takes a detailed look at everything you need to know about the 2025 Kia Sorento in Australia—from design and interior space to performance, safety, pricing, and comparisons with rivals.
A Fresh Design for Modern Families
The 2025 Kia Sorento arrives with updated styling that blends toughness with sophistication. It maintains its bold SUV proportions but refines the details to look more premium and modern.
The front fascia showcases Kia’s latest design language with a wider grille and sleek LED headlights that merge seamlessly into the daytime running lights. The rear is equally striking, featuring vertical tail lamps and a sculpted bumper that gives the SUV a planted stance.
For Australian families, styling often goes hand in hand with practicality. Thankfully, Kia hasn’t compromised function for form. The Sorento offers wide-opening doors, a smart power tailgate, and roof rails that make weekend family getaways more convenient.
Hybrid Powertrain – Efficiency Meets Performance
The highlight of the 2025 Sorento lineup is the hybrid powertrain. Kia has engineered this model to balance fuel efficiency with the power needed to carry seven passengers and their gear.
Under the bonnet, you’ll find a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with an electric motor and a small lithium-ion battery pack. Combined, the system delivers around 169kW of power and 350Nm of torque. This setup is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, sending power to either the front wheels or all four in AWD variants.
One of the most impressive aspects is the Sorento Hybrid’s ability to glide silently in electric-only mode during short commutes or city traffic. This makes it not only economical but also quieter and more refined for passengers.
Fuel consumption figures hover around 5.5–6.0L/100km, depending on driving conditions—an outstanding figure for a seven-seat SUV of this size. For growing families conscious about rising fuel costs, this represents real savings without sacrificing versatility.
Driving Experience – Comfortable and Capable
The Kia Sorento has always been known for its comfort, and the 2025 Hybrid continues that tradition while adding a layer of smoothness. The hybrid system assists the petrol engine during acceleration, reducing strain and making the Sorento feel responsive around town.
On highways, the SUV remains stable and quiet, with the suspension tuned for Australian road conditions. Families will appreciate how well it absorbs bumps, even when loaded with passengers and luggage.
For those who venture outside the city, the AWD model provides extra grip on gravel roads or wet conditions. While it’s not designed for hardcore off-roading, the Sorento has enough capability to handle light adventures such as camping trips or coastal drives.
Spacious and Flexible Interior
The real strength of the Kia Sorento lies in its interior space. The 2025 model is a true seven-seater designed with growing families in mind.
The cabin layout is smart and flexible, offering three rows of seating. The first and second rows provide generous legroom and headroom, while the third row is suitable for kids or shorter adults. Access to the third row is made easy with one-touch sliding seats.
Storage is another highlight. With all seats in use, you get a modest boot, but fold down the third row, and the space expands significantly—enough for prams, sports gear, or holiday luggage. The flat-folding seats ensure maximum versatility for families who juggle school runs, weekend trips, and shopping hauls.
Premium touches like ambient lighting, soft-touch materials, and a panoramic sunroof (available on higher trims) elevate the experience, giving the Sorento a near-luxury feel without the steep price tag.
Technology and Infotainment
Kia continues to lead in technology, and the 2025 Sorento Hybrid is no exception.
The centrepiece is a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, paired with a fully digital driver display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, ensuring seamless connectivity. Higher trims introduce a premium Bose audio system, navigation, and additional smart features.
Families will appreciate the abundance of USB-C ports throughout all three rows, along with wireless charging and multiple storage compartments for devices. Kia also includes remote start and climate pre-conditioning, making life easier on hot Australian summer days.
Safety – Built for Peace of Mind
Safety is a top priority for family buyers, and the 2025 Sorento is equipped to deliver. It comes with Kia’s latest suite of driver assistance technologies, including:
Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
Blind-spot view monitor
Lane keeping assist and lane follow assist
Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function
Rear cross-traffic alert
Surround view camera
In addition to these active safety features, the Sorento is built on a robust platform designed to maximise crash protection. With multiple airbags and reinforced body structure, parents can feel confident transporting their families.
Variants and Pricing in Australia
The Kia Sorento 2025 is expected to be offered in multiple trim levels, giving buyers flexibility depending on budget and feature preferences. While official pricing will vary by state and dealer, estimates place the starting point around $52,000 for the entry-level hybrid model, rising to $70,000+ for top-spec AWD variants with luxury features.
Standard equipment is generous across the range, but higher trims add extras like leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, panoramic sunroof, premium audio, and advanced driver displays.
Comparisons With Rivals
In the Australian market, the Kia Sorento Hybrid competes with a range of other family SUVs. Its closest rivals include:
Toyota Kluger Hybrid – A proven competitor with similar size and hybrid efficiency.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid – Shares technology with the Sorento but offers different styling and cabin design.
Mazda CX-90 – Larger and more luxurious, but comes with a higher price tag.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – Plug-in hybrid option with short electric-only range, appealing to eco-minded families.
What sets the Sorento apart is its balance of value, technology, and space, making it a smart choice for buyers who want premium features without stretching into luxury-brand pricing.
Maintenance and Ownership Costs
Kia offers one of the best ownership packages in Australia, and the Sorento benefits from this reputation. The 2025 model is backed by Kia’s 7-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is among the longest in the industry.
Servicing intervals are expected to be every 10,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first. Kia also provides capped-price servicing, giving families predictable maintenance costs.
Hybrid technology does not significantly increase ownership costs, as Kia designs its systems to be durable and efficient. The battery pack is covered under warranty, offering peace of mind for long-term owners.
Why It’s Perfect for Growing Families
The 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid ticks all the right boxes for Australian families. It combines:
Seven-seat practicality – Space for kids, grandparents, and friends.
Hybrid efficiency – Reduced fuel costs without compromising performance.
Safety confidence – Advanced driver aids and a strong crash structure.
Modern tech – Infotainment, connectivity, and comfort features.
Value for money – Premium features at a competitive price.
Whether it’s school drop-offs, road trips, or everyday commuting, the Sorento adapts seamlessly to family life.
Final Verdict – Should You Buy the Kia Sorento 2025 Hybrid?
For families in Australia looking for a spacious, fuel-efficient, and feature-packed SUV, the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid stands out as one of the best options. It blends practicality, comfort, and cutting-edge technology with Kia’s strong ownership benefits.
While competition from Toyota, Hyundai, and Mazda is fierce, the Sorento’s combination of value and versatility makes it a standout choice for growing households. It’s not just another SUV—it’s a family-friendly companion built to handle the demands of Australian life.
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