Mark, Author at Maynards Garage

Industry News

Barbie Maserati Grecale Trofeo: A Collaboration of Mutual Desire

by Mark | Oct 26, 2022 | 0 comments

An exterior studio shot of the pink Maserati Grecale

The Barbie Maserati Grecale Trofeo is a trident effort from Maserati, Mattel, and Neiman Marcus. (Photos courtesy of Maserati)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The House of the Trident and the world’s most famous fashion doll have embraced the power of pink for a bespoke edition of the Barbie Maserati Grecale Trofeo.

The unprecedented collaboration with Mattel, Inc. is motivated by a “mutual desire to break boundaries and showcase the unique flair of both brands,” Maserati said in a press release.

Inspired in part by the Barbiecore phenomenon, the Barbie Maserati Grecale is an ultra-limited Fuoriserie edition (Italian for “customized”) that is available in only two (maybe three) custom units globally. One of them was unveiled on the evening of Oct. 25 as one of the 2022 Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gifts at the luxury retailer’s holiday launch soirée in Los Angeles.

The interior features black leather seats with pink leather accents throughout.

A portion of the sales price will benefit the Barbie Dream Gap Project. The charitable initiative is a global outreach to help provide equal opportunities and remove barriers for girls.

Additional details regarding the second custom Barbie Grecale will be announced in 2023.

Gloss black elements include Neiman Marcus and Barbie logos.

The Maserati Grecale Trofeo

The bold pink Barbie Maserati Grecale is based on the Trofeo trim level, powered by a 530-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Nettuno V-6. In full Barbie fashion, the iconic pink hue covers nearly every inch of the compact SUV with fine acid-yellow pinstriping inspired by the Trident’s racing heritage. The Grecale Trofeo (Italian for “trophy”) has a starting price of $102,500.

The pink paint is sealed with an iridescent topcoat, creating a rainbow effect in sunlight. The black interior features full-leather seats, dashboards, carpets, doors — accented with pink stitching — and headrests embossed with the unique “B” badge.

Acid-yellow pinstriping highlights the iconic pink hue.

Barbie Maserati Grecale Price

The asking price for the Barbie Maserati Grecale is $330,000. With the purchase, Mattel will donate 10 percent of the sales price to the Barbie Dream Gap Project page on GoFundMe.org. No sale portion is tax deductible, and the promotion will run through March 31, 2023. The Fantasy Gift is available for residents in the lower 48 U.S. states.

For details, visit NeimanMarcus.com/FantasyGifts.

Audi A3 40 Quattro Review

by Mark | Oct 19, 2022 | 0 comments

A test drive of the 2023 Audi A3 without activating Sport mode, just doesn’t tell the story of Audi’s smallest sedan

An exterior side view of an Atoll Blue Audi A3 sedan

For 2023, the Audi A3 continues with choices for front- or quattro all-wheel drive in trim levels of Premium or Premium Plus. (Photos courtesy of Audi USA)

A History of A3 Firsts
2023 A3 Updates
A3 Model Line Pricing
A3 40 Performance
Driver-Assist Driving
Ride and Handling
Audi A3 40 Fuel Economy
Interior Function
Back Seats and Trunk Space
Why Buy the Audi A3?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

The Audi A3 shows its true colors — Red — in the performance modes of its 201-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and seven-speed S tronic transmission.

A test drive without activating Sport mode, or even the Dynamic performance setting, just doesn’t tell the story of this smallest Audi sedan. It can be a sleeper until prodded by the amped-up attitude of red in the gauge display.

By opting for this entry-level A3, the owner straps into a legitimate subcompact sport sedan without glam or gimmickry. It is the first touch point for this storied A3 family, which might be overlooked by the 306-hp Audi S3 or the 401-hp Audi RS 3.

Among the A3 standout features are the smartly designed interior, Audi’s shrewd engineering, a mild-hybrid engine, and the fact that this small sedan still has a spare tire! It’s a temporary spare with the jacking equipment, but with the broad electrification of vehicles, a spare tire is being deleted to make room for the battery pack and to save weight. The exception is larger vehicles and those intended for off-road travel.

Looking through windshield from inside the driver seat of the A3

The A3 cabin seems to have been designed as a driver’s car — with a true coupe feel.

A History of Audi A3 Firsts

The Audi A3 made its U.S. debut in 2005 as a 2006 model. It was one of the first modern luxury-class subcompact sedans.

Redesigned for the 2015 model year, the A3 was one of Audi’s biggest marketing launches. Much of the fanfare was about its advanced technologies, which Audi calls industry “firsts.” Among its enhancements were:

First in-vehicle LTE connectivity (Long Term Evolution) with Wi-Fi;
The first Audi model to use the modular infotainment platform, MIB;
First integrated social networking applications and Picture Book Navigation;
And in 2014, the A3 won the award for World Car of the Year.

Looking through the 3 spoke steering wheel at the digital gauge array

The 10.25-inch digital gauge array.

2023 Audi A3 Updates

After its complete redesign and re-engineering for the 2022 model year, the 2023 A3 and S3 models have just a few packaging adjustments.

Full LED headlights and stitched door armrests in leatherette are now standard for the 2023 A3 40.

The A3’s Premium Plus trim adds LED interior lighting-plus package and an Agate gray fine grain birch wood inlay. Adaptive cruise control is available through Function on Demand for the base Premium trim.

For the A3 40, the 18-inch 5-spoke Y design wheels with a bi-color finish and all-season tires are now included in the Black optic sport package. And wireless phone charging has been added to the Convenience package for the A3 and S3.

Looking up through the A3 panoramic sunroof

The Premium Plus features include a panoramic sunroof.

Audi A3 Model Line Pricing

The entry 2023 Audi A3 40 is available in front-wheel drive or quattro all-wheel drive. All A3 models have a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automated-manual transmission with performance modes. A3 starting prices range from about $36,000 for the front drive Premium trim to $43,145 for the Prestige Plus quattro, today’s tester. Including Atoll Blue paint ($595) and the Black Optic sport package, $1,550, the tester came to $43,740. All MSRPs include the $1,095 freight charge from Ingolstadt, Germany.

The main subcompact sedan competitors in size and price to the Audi A3 are the 2023 BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe four-door ($36,600) and the 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class ($36,095). Other potential competitors are the 2023 Acura Integra ($32,000) and 2023 Cadillac CT4 ($35,790).

A 10.1-inch touch screen for rearview camera views and infotainment.

Audi A3 Premium Plus Features

Standard A3 Premium Plus technologies include:

Advanced key with push-button ignition;
Adaptive cruise assist with lane guidance;
Side assist with rear cross-traffic assist;
Active lane assist with emergency assist;
Parking system with park assist.

Convenience features on the A3 Premium Plus include leather-trimmed upholstery, panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, eight-way power (heated) front seats, driver’s seat memory presets, power folding and heated side mirrors, full HED headlights, garage-door opener. (See the longer list in the specs box at the end of the story.)

The A3 Black optic sport package adds:

18-inch 5-spoke Y design wheels with a bi-color finish;
Pirelli all-season tires;
Black exterior trim;
Sport suspension lowers the ride height by a little more than half an inch, or 15mm.

Audi S3 and RS 3 Pricing

The Audi S3 starts at almost $47,000, with standard quattro AWD. With a few options, the price settles in at $56,000.

The RS 3 Quattro starts at almost $60,000. With desirable options, including the Black optic plus package ($750), Dynamic plus package ($5,000), RS sport exhaust system with black tips ($1,000), and Design selection interior ($1,500), the sticker grows to $69,000.

The Audi warranty of four years or 50,000 miles is for bumper-to-bumper coverage, with roadside assistance. The free first-scheduled maintenance is no longer offered. But Audi offers more comprehensive Care Select packages, starting at $999 for the A3.

Find current Audi A3 pricing here and special offers here.

The 401-hp, 5-cylinder Audi RS 3. Acceleration from 0 to 100 mph in 3.8 seconds.

Audi A3 Styling

Small can be spectacular in the A3 — but it might not appear so in its exterior styling. Its bold face instantly identifies the A3 as an Audi, and the unprovoking exterior design will transcend style trends for years to come. But it’s not a treatment that will lure motorists to follow the car hauler to the dealership.

The exterior design is balanced with a strong stance on the larger 18-inch wheels, though 17s are standard. The low front end can be a chin-scraper on driveways and when bounding through cross-street intersections.

The basic black interior doesn’t call out luxury, either. The engaging use of brushed metallic trim is youthful, but the assets of the A3 make themselves known after strapping in.

The A3 has full LED lighting.

Audi A3 40 Performance

In the base drive mode of Comfort, A3 performance is mild and tuned for maximum fuel economy. At 3,494 pounds, which is a bit heavier than the BMW or Mercedes competitors, the official A3 40 fuel-economy ratings with AWD are 31 mpg city, 28 highway, and 36 mpg combined — using the recommended 87 octane fuel. Those ratings are a few mpgs better than the BMW and the Mercedes, which prefer premium fuel.

The A3’s 13.2-gallon tank could provide more than 400 miles of driving. I wouldn’t know because I was enjoying the Sport modes. My around-town mpgs were acceptable, but even then, I set the performance mode to “Comfort-Sport.”

The 201-hp 2.0-liter has 221 foot-pounds of torque, which peaks at a relatively high 4,000 rpm. That’s why performance in Comfort mode is comfortable. Activating Sport gives a bit more engine rev on take-off from a stop, which gets everything moving quicker into the upper rpms.

The seven-speed dual-clutch has the sensation of engaging first gear. That spooling and clutching can delay launch force as the turbo builds pressure and the transmission hooks up. But shift response at speed is quick and supportive of enthusiastic driving.

Especially appreciated is an honest exhaust and engine tone. There is no artificial engine-sound generator to give a hot-shoe impression. I’m quite capable of making noise on my own.

The A3 turbocharged four cylinder engine

The A3 has one powertrain choice of a 201-hp, turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Driver-Assist Driving

The A3 Premium Plus packages the network of driver-assist technologies. It is a Level 2 hands-on system that will be an asset for those in the slog of highway commuting.

I found the system to be precise in its lane centering and a faithful roundhouse of eyes for protection from drivers who are less aware while driving.

The advanced-tech package includes:

Adaptive cruise assist with lane guidance;
Audi side assist with rear cross-traffic assist;
Adaptive cruise assist;
Active lane assist with emergency assist.

Mild Hybrid Technology

The direct-injected TFSI engine — Turbo Fuel Stratified Injection — has sophisticated engineering for power and economy from a 48-volt mild-hybrid (MHEV) system. It’s another first for the A3, allowing it to coast while the engine temporarily shuts off in certain driving situations. The system also applies energy recuperation on throttle-lift and braking.

Audi says the A3 40 TFSI quattro has a 24 percent improvement in combined efficiency compared with the previous quattro model; it had official mileage ratings of 28/36/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

What’s the 40 mean?

In Audi engine terms, the A3 40 somehow refers to the 2.0-liter engine’s horsepower, which globally ranges from 165 to 198 hp. But the current U.S. -spec Audi A3 40 has 201 hp. The higher the number, such as 45, the higher the horsepower. The Audi A8 large sedan has an engine ranking of 55 for its
335-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6.

The higher-horsepower Audi A3 S and R.S. models don’t use an engine code; they stand on their own.

Audi A3 40 Ride and Handling

Despite a low 0.27 coefficient of drag, there was more road and ambient cabin noise than expected from such a small car. The likely culprit is the Pirelli P Zero all-season tires, though all-season Pirellis are not known to be noisy. The 225/40 tires have good cornering grip and a treadwear rating of 500, which is in the midrange for hardness; the tire’s warranty is for 50,000 miles.

The steel-spring suspension has MacPherson struts at the front and a four-link rear. The setup nimbly handles weight transitions and has a tight turning circle of 36.4 feet (or maybe a little wider with the 18-inch tires). The highway ride quality is more compliant than expected from the 103.5-inch wheelbase, which is a few inches shorter than its competitors.

Braking is absolute, but not grabby, from 12-inch ventilated front discs and 10.7-inch solid rear discs. The four-wheel ABS integrates brake-force distribution, hydraulic brake assist, and the expected stability and traction controls.

The 18-inch alloy wheel and Pirelli P Zero tire

Pirelli P Zero all-season tires, 225/40.

A3 Interior Function

The A3 cabin seems to have been designed as a driver’s car — with an authentic coupe feel. There are wide-open sightlines at the side mirrors without complications of frames at the corner glass. Over-the-shoulder views are also open, and the rearview camera with guidance lines also gives a silhouette view of nearness to objects front or rear.

Small cars often have cluttered interiors for placement of all the switches and controls, but not in the A3. A designer took care to arrange the front door panels to have an easy reach to the door grab with ideal leverage, opening or closing. Window switches, mirror adjusters, seat-memory presets, door locks, and the trunk opener are all within finger reach. The storage area just below has plenty of stash space and a bottle slot.

The center stack of controls anchors the upper infotainment screen, which is clearly visible in all light conditions. A tier below it are the climate controls with simple switches. The stack continues into a wide and low shift console with a secure finger grip for gear selection, the ignition button, and the audio volume dial.

Audi builds its seats for the long drive. These are eight-way adjustable with seat-bottom tilt. And the seats are without extreme side or bottom bolsters, which avoid that unwelcome wedgie on entry or exit.

Front headroom of 36.8 inches, with the sunroof, might not fit the big-and-tall driver.

A3 back seat has short legroom of 35.2 inches

Back seat space is subcompact with max legroom of 35.2 inches.

A3 Back Seat and Trunk Space

Back seat space is subcompact with max legroom of 35.2 inches, when those in the front scooch forward. A tall exhaust-transmission tunnel interferes with five-seat capacity.

Trunk space of 10.9 cubic feet is also subcompact but spacious enough for travel and getaways. And the back seat folds in a three-way split, 40/20/40, with a ski passthrough.

Trunk space is small but expandable by the folding back seat

Trunk cubic footage is small, but the space is expandable by the 40/20/40 back seat. (Mark Maynard trunk photos)

And the temporary spare tire, almost rare in new cars.

Why Buy the Audi A3?

In the late 1990s when the major European carmakers were competing to sell more cars in the U.S., the subcompact sedan was eyed warily. Could a subcompact sedan be profitable? Would it be perceived as luxury? Could it dilute the brand?

Ultimately, money won out. Audi and Mercedes-Benz took the first leaps, followed by BMW.

Reinforcing the brand’s status are the high-performance divisions for each of those brands — Audi RS, BMW M, or Mercedes-Benz AMG. Every entry-lux version of those subcompacts carries the halo of high performance, or, at least, the perception of it.

Audi’s A3/S3 subcompacts typically sell around 8,000 to 15,000 in a non-covid-impacted year. Add up base prices of about $40,000, and that’s not a bad return for the segment. And then factor the RS 3 sales of $60,000 to $75,000 each.

The Audi A3 40 represents the obsessive detail of Audi engineering and performance. The casual styling of the A3 40 belies the technologies beneath the exterior sheet metal. It is not overt performance but skilled refinement.

Don’t muscle the A3. Let the layers of its engineering envelop you to make a better driver.

A rear view of the small sedan on a back country black top highway

2023 A3 starting prices range from $36,000 for the front drive Premium trim to $43,145 for the Prestige Plus quattro.

2023 Audi A3 40 Specifications

Body style: subcompact, 5-seat, 4-door all-wheel-drive sedan

Engine: Mild hybrid 201-hp, turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with auto stop-start; 221 lb.-ft. torque at 4,000 rpm

Transmission: 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic

Fuel economy: 28/38/32 mpg city/hwy/combined; 87 octane

0-60 mph acceleration: 6.3 seconds (Audi)

Top speed: 130 mph

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 13.2 gallons

Trunk space: 10.9 cubic feet

Front head/leg room: 36.8/41.2 inches

Rear head/leg room: 36.6/35.2 inches

Length/wheelbase: 176.9/ 103.5inches

Curb weight: 3,494 pounds

Turning circle: 36.4 feet

FEATURES

Premium Plus standard equipment includes: Audi advanced key with push-button ignition, leather-trimmed upholstery, panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise assist with lane guidance, driver’s seat memory presets, wireless phone charging pad, 8-way power front seats, power folding and heated side mirrors, full HED headlights, garage-door opener, driver’s seat memory, leatherette-covered door armrests, wireless phone charging pad, 40/20/40 folding seatback;

Premium Plus Safety features include: 7 air bags, Audi side assist with rear cross traffic assist, adaptive cruise assist, alarm system with motion sensor, active lane assist with emergency assist, parking system with park assist,

PRICING

Base price: $43,145, including $1,095 freight charge; price as tested $43,145

Options on test vehicle: Atoll Blue metallic paint $595; Black Optic package $1,550

Where assembled: Ingolstadt, Germany

Warranty: 4-years/50,000-miles bumper to bumper with powertrain and roadside assistance (unlimited miles)

Kia Sorento PHEV SX-Prestige AWD Review

by Mark | Oct 13, 2022 | 0 comments

A road trip in a 2023 Kia Sorento plug-in yields 35.2 mpg over 1,225 miles after using 34 miles of battery driving

A forward view of the Kia Sorento PHEV along a marina with sailboats

For 2023, the Kia Sorento PHEV is sold in just one all-wheel-drive trim level with a starting price of $50,185. (Photos courtesy of Kia America)

Table of Contents

Overview
Competing PHEV SUVs
Pricing
Performance
Hybrid Battery Charging
Driver-Assistance Systems
Ride and Handling
Interior Function
Back Seats and Cargo Space
Why Buy the Kia Sorento PHEV?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

Ijust completed a 1,225-mile road trip in the Kia Sorento PHEV and logged an average of 35.2 miles per gallon. Much of the round-trip from San Diego to Sonoma, Calif., was driven at 70 mph with cruise control. I was pleased with the mileage and expect most owners of this all-wheel-drive, midsize SUV with three rows of seating would be, too.

A plug-in hybrid isn’t necessarily the optimum choice for a road trip, but the Sorento is ideal for its comfort and a sense of reinforced safety. With 31- to 34- miles of battery-electric driving, many owners could drive the workweek with minimal emissions, engine firing, and using pricey fuel.

The six-seat Sorento PHEV is rich in premium interior materials and contemporary design. The midsize cabin provides ample space for shoulder width, tall headroom, and a third row that folds flat to the floor. There is plenty of room for luggage and treasures picked up along the way.

The midsize cabin provides ample space for shoulder width and tall headroom.

For daylong driving, the suite of advanced driver-assist systems took away much of the stress in guarding my line. I grew to trust the system, which kept the Sorento well-centered in the lane, including the curves. Steering assist was reassuring and not invasive. And I drove the entire round trip with no dashboard warnings or loud safety alerts: the Sorento and its network of electronics performed flawlessly.

Besides its suite of advanced safety technologies, the Sorento PHEV has solid NHTSA safety ratings:
• 4 out of 5 stars overall
• 4 stars for frontal and rollover crashes
• 5 stars for side-impact protection
• 4.5 stars for rollover protection

Kia Sorento Overview

Redesigned last year, the fourth-generation Kia Sorento is nearly 1.4 inches longer than the previous model, adding to interior space. The body structure was made stronger, which Kia says improved ride, handling, noise, vibration, and harshness.

The body structure is designed with a multi-load path to distribute the impact forces of kinetic energy through the body. Seven air bags are standard with an array of standard and optional safety technologies and advanced driver-assist systems.

As a midsize SUV crossover, the Sorento is part of Kia’s “Plan S” electrification strategy. The lineup of Sorento trim levels is a triple play of four-cylinder powertrains: gasoline, gasoline-electric hybrid, and the plug-in-hybrid.

The base gas-powered Sorento ($31,000) has a choice of a 191-hp, non-turbocharged 2.5 liter or a 281-hp turbocharged version ($37,000); both with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Sorento Hybrid ($38,000) has a turbocharged 227-hp, 1.6-liter engine, and six-speed automatic. And the top-line Sorento PHEV has a 261-hp version of the 1.6-liter engine and six-speed automatic.

A driving gauge shows available miles of electric driving

The plug-in Sorento has an electric driving range of 31 to 34 miles.

Competing Midsize SUV Plug-in Hybrids

Hyundai Santa Fe, 31-mile EV range; $41,000-$47,000;
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, 25-mile battery range; $61,000-$69,000;
Volvo XC60 Recharge, 19-mile EV range; $59,000-$69,000;
Volvo XC90 Recharge, 18-mile EV range; $73,000-$80,000;
Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, 21-mile EV range; $71,000;
BMW X5 xDrive45e, 31-mile range; $66,000;
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid, 17-mile range; $88,000; and Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid, 15-mile range; $173,000.

*Above MSRPs include AWD and the freight charge.

2023 Kia Sorento Pricing

For 2023, there is just one well-stocked trim level of Sorento PHEV, the SX-Prestige with all-wheel drive. And it has a one size fits all starting price of $50,185, including the $1,295 freight charge from Korea. With two options for Snow White Pearl paint ($445) and carpeted floor mats ($210), the as-tested price was a reasonable $50,840 (though there likely will be pricing surcharges at the dealership and a possible “protection” package that could add more to the sticker price).

A cargo cover, $190, would be a smart addition, as would a cargo-area mat, $115, which might help with soundproofing in an open cargo area.

Kia Sorento warranties include 10-years/100,000-miles of coverage for the powertrain and hybrid battery. Bumper-to-bumper coverage is for 5-years/60,000-miles with roadside assistance.

Find current pricing and available lease or purchase offers here.

The panoramic roof as skylight.

Sorento SX-P Upgrades

Kia loaded the 2023 Sorento PHEV SX-P with desirable standard features. Among them:

3-row seating with second-row captain’s chairs;
Perforated leather seat upholstery;
All-wheel-drive with torque vectoring;
19-inch alloy wheels;
12.3-inch digital gauge cluster (a first for any Kia SUV);
Surround View Monitor, using four cameras to create a 360-degree perspective around the vehicle;
Blind View Monitor projects live video view of adjacent lanes in the instrument cluster, activated via the turn signal;
Electrochromic rearview mirror.

Other standard Sorento PHEV features include:
•Smart key with push-button start and remote start (from key fob).
•Eight USB charging ports.
•10.25-inch high-resolution color touchscreen display with navigation and Kia’s UVO telematics link.
•Satellite radio.
•Wireless smartphone charging pad.
•12-speaker Bose Centerpoint sound system.

A multifunction desktop of organization.

Sorento PHEV Performance

According to the EPA, the Sorento PHEV’s combined gasoline-electric driving range can be as high as 460 miles. But in my experience, the most driving range I achieved, according to the onboard computer, was 390 miles. That factored the 31 miles of a fully charged battery and 359 miles from the gas engine.

After switching from battery power to engine, the EPA mileage ratings, using 87 octane fuel, are 35 mpg city, 33 highway, and 34 mpg combined, or a combined 79 MPGe rating.

Filling the fuel tank of 12.4 gallons with 87 octane wasn’t overly painful. Gas prices ranged from $5.99 per gallon at the start of my trip to $6.59 and almost $7 by week’s end. The price of unleaded 87 octane had jumped by $1 since I’d filled up for the trip.

Finessing the Fuel

Kia’s plug-in hybrid system switches from battery power to engine intervention for more aggressive driving. And even with a depleted battery, the hybrid system functions as any other hybrid system, giving some short-range and low-speed acceleration, regenerative braking, and auto stop-start at idle.

Because Kia uses a traditional, stepped six-speed automatic transmission, there is no delay in forward motion.

Driving with battery power lifts the performance noticeably. Acceleration is more absolute off the line and continues quickly up to highway speeds. After the transition to gasoline, the turbocharged four-cylinder is quite capable at hefting the Sorento PHEV’s curb weight of 4,537 pounds, which includes 309 pounds for the hybrid battery.

Torque-vectoring all-wheel drive (cornering control) includes a locking center differential. If the system detects wheel slippage, it reroutes power between the front and rear axles and applies subtle braking pressure to the left and right wheels to help maintain traction.

A view of the open engine and hybrid features in the Sorento engine bay

The Sorento PHEV has a 66.9 kW electric motor and a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that combine for 261 horsepower.

Charging the Hybrid Battery

The 14 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery can be recharged in two to three hours or more, Kia says. And all of my charging sessions for a depleted battery took four hours. That is too long for a stop during a road trip, so most of my driving was on gasoline with some input from the hybrid system. I tried to charge in Sonoma, but the public charging station I visited had four charge stations, three of which were “unavailable.” Two other EV drivers had pulled in, and we shared gripes about the poor maintenance of public charging in general. The one functioning charger was occupied by a fully charged car, but no owner was in sight.

For those over-the-river trips to friends and family, Kia includes a heavy-duty charging cable that can be plugged into a household outlet. Plan on nine hours for a full charge.

Driver-Assistance Systems

I am a hands-on driver when using driver-assist systems. It takes time to develop trust in these electronics. Still, Kia’s assistance calibrations were accurate and prevented the Sorento from drifting across lane lines, and it even tracked well when the lane lines were disrupted or decayed.

The Sorento PHEV has an expansive network of Kia Drive Wise Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, including:

Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist — Rear with parallel exit: Under certain conditions, the system can detect vehicles traveling in the next lane. When a vehicle is “seen” in the blind spot, it brakes the outer wheel to help return the vehicle to its lane.

Forward Collision Warning: Designed to detect a vehicle ahead and to calculate distance and closing speed. The system will fire off an alert if it senses a potential frontal collision.

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist — Junction Turning: As the driver brakes to prevent a collision, the system can lessen the effects when turning left and an oncoming vehicle is approaching.

Highway Driving Assist: Uses federal highway speed limit information from the navigation system and, under certain conditions, will automatically adjust speed to be within the posted speed limit.

Intelligent Speed Limit Assist: Automatically changes the set speed of Smart Cruise Control by using the speed limit information detected through the front camera or GPS navigation information.

Lane Following Assist: Follows lane markings with steering inputs to help maintain lane-centering.

Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control — Curve: The system can reduce vehicle speed proactively before upcoming curves.

Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist: When approaching cross traffic is detected, the system alerts the driver and can apply the brakes.

A shot of the 19-inch tire and wheel package for the Sorento plug in hybrid

Alloy wheels and 19-inch all-season Continental CrossContact LX Sport tires are standard.

Sorento PHEV Ride and Handling

Sorento’s steel-spring suspension (front MacPherson struts with a multilink rear) capably handles the hefty curb weight. Straight-line ride quality is quite smooth, and I could sense the engineering for low friction and extended glide. However, there is noticeable head toss when turning into driveways or navigating speed bumps.

The 19-inch Continental CrossContact LX Sport 235/55 tires are very compliant with a comfortable treadwear rating of 480, which translates to a 50,000-mile warranty.

Four-wheel ventilated disc brakes have 12.8-inch rotors front and rear. Pedal response is refined and regeneration is well modulated without unexpected grabbiness.

Kia Sorento Interior Function

There appears to have been a generous budget to make the Sorento PHEV more luxurious than some entry-luxury vehicles. The cabin is rich in premium materials, neatly stitched leather, and soft surfaces for elbows. The black woven headliner is calming without making the cabin feel closed in.

Driver sightlines are open at the side mirrors by the small corner glass. Over-the-shoulder glances are compromised by the second-row headrests of the captain’s chairs. But the restricted view was of no consequence with the around-view camera system and Kia’s nifty turn-signal camera views, left or right.

Front headroom is tall at 40.3 inches with long legroom of 41.4 inches.

Fourteen-way power front seats are comfortably bolstered and well-stuffed to handle a tankful of road-trip driving. The seats include a newly added thigh extender, so tall drivers should be able to find an optimum position.

The center shift console is a multi-use desktop. The shift module anchors the rotary shift dial and performance-control selections (Eco, Sport, Smart). The wireless charging pad, two charging USBs, and a data-media USB are just ahead on the console.

Driver information is easily viewed on the 12-inch-wide screen, which can be configured to show a range of functions. But there is a lot of information to fit in the smallish gauge dials.

Infotainment selections are separated from the 10.25-inch touchscreen with AC and vent controls below.

Especially appreciated are the second-tier air vents, four of them across the dashboard. A female friend once told me that she bought her SUV because it had crotch-cooling vents, and the Sorento’s venting should have the same effect.

A door panel in the Sorento PHEV shows contemporary design and materials.

Sorento PHEV is rich in premium interior materials and contemporary design.

Kia Sorento Back Seats and Cargo Space

Legroom in the second row is impressively long at 40.3 inches with headroom of 39.1 inches. And the expansive pano roof creates an enjoyable space. But the seat bottoms of the captain’s chairs might feel downsized to upsized adults.

A flat second-row floor adds to a sense of openness. And the seats have several inches of fore-aft slide with seatback recline.

Legroom is long at 40.3 inches but seat bottoms are short.

Third-row space is kid-class, but with easy access.

Access to the pair of third-row seats is by an easy-to-operate tilt and slide second row. Legroom is kid-class at 29.6 inches (or less if the second-row seats are not moved forward). However, the space is accommodating with a USB charge port on each side, and a cup-mug holder and a burger-snack slot.

Large corner glass is a humane child-tending addition for ambient light.

The cargo area has wide access of 44 inches with 30 ½ inches of entry height. Fold the third-row seats for 41 inches of square and flat cargo space. Handy straps on the back of the seats make them easy to pull back into position.

Or fold both rows of seats for almost 7 feet in length (if the front passenger seat is moved forward).

There is some subfloor storage, but it’s not large enough to stow the charging cable.

The Sorento’s third row that folds flat to the floor.

Why Buy the Kia Sorento PHEV?

A plug-in hybrid is a half-step to total battery-electric driving. For many drivers, a plug-in will be a smart choice until battery technology advances to provide more than 300 miles of cost-effective range.

The Kia Sorento Hybrid is also a good family choice. It is less expensive with fuel economy ratings of 39/35/37 mpg in front drive or 36/33/36 mpg AWD. But it does not have the value-added asset of fuel-price protection.

A range of 31 to 34 miles is almost like getting a free gallon of gas every day from the Kia Sorento PHEV. And for those owners with a home charger, there is the reassurance of always having a full “tank.”

the rear quarter panel for the charging port.

The Sorento PHEV plug port is at the rear quarter panel.

2023 Kia Sorento PHEV SX-AWD Specifications

Body style: midsize 6-seat, 5-door SUV with active on-demand 4WD

Engine: 177.2-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder; 195.4 lb.-ft. torque from 1,500-4,500 rpm

Hybrid System: 89.8 hp permanent magnet motor with 360-volt, 14 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery

Total system power: 261 hp and 258 lb.-ft. torque

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Battery-electric driving range: 31-34 miles

Total driving range: 460 miles, maximum (390 miles observed)

MPGe fuel economy equivalent: 54/48/52 mpge city/hwy/combined; regular unleaded fuel

Engine-only fuel economy: 35/33/34 mpg; 87 octane recommended

Top speed: 74.6mph in EV mode; 120 mph for ICE

0-62 mph acceleration: 8.7 seconds

Towing capacity: 1,654 pounds with an unbraked trailer