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    2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid Will Now Run Smoothly In High-Altitude Areas As Well

    Image Source: Jonathan Weiss @ Shutterstock

    If I were to pass away today, my teenagers might write on my tombstone, “Drink more water.” This is my most common parenting advice, suggested as a remedy for a wide range of issues.

    Some iteration of that advice was repeated numerous times before we landed in Denver from Chicago for our Christmas getaway. As flatlanders, we ventured beyond the Mile High City in a refreshed Kia Sorento Hybrid, which carried three sets of ski equipment, six bags, and still had enough room to recline the second-row captain’s chairs for long naps during our three-hour drive to the Rockies.

    We had consumed enough fluids to warrant a bathroom stop at 10,000 feet in Fairplay, Colorado, before arriving in Salida, which sits at an elevation of 7,200 feet. Later that evening, I experienced altitude sickness for the first time in my life.

    The headache, body pains, and nausea were sufficiently severe that my teens didn’t bother to highlight the irony. While I took time to recover, they skied with the family, leaving the Sorento idle.

    From my vantage point, its refreshed exterior seemed to beckon me to join the slopes. The broader, more assertive dogbone grille and distinctly vertical front facia, along with the stacked headlights and boomerang running lights, urged me toward some level of holiday adventure. For 2025, the Sorento Hybrid incorporates the same updates found in the 2024 gas-only variant. Its blockier and more upright profile evokes memories of classic SUVs, all while maintaining the crossover body style—though it doesn’t appear as block-like as the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, which received this publication’s Best Car To Buy 2025 award.

    Before long, after hydrating properly, I was able to join my family the next day, with the six-passenger Sorento filled with loved ones and gear.

    2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid

    The most significant improvements are found inside, where Kia has simplified the busy center stack and dual vent towers, replacing them with a sleek 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that integrates seamlessly into a 12.3-inch touchscreen featuring wireless smartphone compatibility. Having recently been ill, I found myself more appreciative of the finer details. Beneath the screens is a haptic menu bar that manages climate settings and offers quick access to infotainment features. Everything feels more organized, with dedicated heated seat buttons instead of hiding those options within the touchscreen.

    As we drove along the sinuous mountain road, which hugged the contours of a river winding through valleys of ranches and wilderness, the 6-speed automatic transmission found its rhythm in Smart mode, hovering around 3,500 rpm without disturbing the cabin’s tranquility.

    Kia employs the same 1.6-liter inline-4 engine, coupled with a 47.7-kw electric motor sandwiched between it and the 6-speed, producing a combined output of 231 hp. When an old pickup truck, laden with a day’s worth of its own work, prompted an uphill passing maneuver, I switched to Sport mode, downshifted via the paddle shifters to tap into the 271 lb-ft of torque, and executed the pass without hesitation.

    In Eco or Smart mode, the paddle shifters function as regenerative brake settings, with up to four levels available; the vehicle can either coast like a conventional gas vehicle or engage a high level of regeneration at L3. Transitioning from acceleration to braking isn’t as smooth as in most electric vehicles, as there’s a noticeable grip when releasing the accelerator rather than a gradual shift between powering and braking modes. I preferred L2 for a more seamless transition.

    Since I’m somewhat accustomed to this hybrid setup utilized by both Hyundai and Kia, I hardly noticed any transmission shifts at lower speeds when the vehicle was operating solely on electric power, until about 18 mph. Some drivers transitioning from single-geared electric vehicles or continuously variable hybrids may find a gear shift surprising in electric mode, but they soon adapt. The interaction between the motor and engine is otherwise efficient enough to be hardly noticeable.

    For passengers enjoying the upscale SX Prestige trim, the ride was quiet and sufficiently cozy for extended naps. The heated second-row captain’s chairs contributed to this comfort, but on this leg of our journey, we were all too excited. With the third row down, we placed three sets of skis from the back through to the captain’s chairs, leaving ample room for boots and other essentials.

    The drive back after a day on the slopes, even without enjoying an apres-ski beer, made me truly appreciate the comfort and thoughtful design of the Sorento Hybrid. Naturally, the top-tier SX Prestige trim was fitted with luxury-like features including a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, nap-inducing power lumbar support, and a panoramic sunroof—perfect for watching the impending snowstorm.

    As we approached the latter part of our ski day, the resort ceased operation of all but two lifts owing to 60 mph winds. Blustery conditions obscured the 14,000-foot peaks and affected visibility both on the slopes and the road. We closed the sunroof, a stark contrast to the morning when my daughter had reclined in the front seat, admiring frosted trees and clear blue skies.

    The storm brought plummeting temperatures, and the accumulation of snow and sludge concealed patches of ice on the winding road home. I switched the dial to Snow mode and activated the center locking differential. This feature evenly distributed torque between the axles for optimal grip and balance, albeit at the cost of efficiency. Since we were descending, the hybrid system relied primarily on electric power. Using the paddle shifters for engine braking wasn’t feasible due to a fully charged battery. The new gear dial, which replaced the mechanical shifter in the previous model, also prevented me from engaging manual mode to allow the engine to rev higher for brake preservation. Kia likely appreciated my restraint. Snow mode adjusted the first gear ratio but seemed to extend the duration before shifts, allowing the engine to rev higher and produce more torque—effectively achieving what I needed without complicated controls.

    We arrived home safely, fueled by the excitement from our skiing day and the hydration that alleviated my altitude sickness. The Sorento Hybrid significantly contributed to alleviating the stresses of mountain driving, offering comfort during the subsequent three-hour return trip down to Denver.

    After traveling over 380 miles and navigating nearly a mile in elevation with three adult-size passengers and all our ski gear, the vehicle averaged 32.7 mpg—just shy of the EPA-estimated 34 mpg combined. With a generous 17.7-gallon fuel tank, the Sorento required only one refueling during our entire trip, conveniently on the way to the airport drop-off. That helped mitigate the financial burden typically associated with any family vacation, altitude sickness included.

    Image Source: Jonathan Weiss @ Shutterstock

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