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New Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid 2021 detailed: Electrified SUV lines up against Toyota Kluger, but will it come to Australia?

Kia’s Sorento will be offered with a plug-in powertrain overseas, but the variant will not be available in Australia.

Kia has uncovered a Plug-In Hybrid version of its new-generation Sorento large SUV, though whether the electrified variant will not make its way to Australian showrooms is still unclear.

Kia Australia has previously confirmed only two engines for the local-market Sorento – a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel and 3.5-litre petrol V6 – with this new Plug-In Hybrid, petrol-electric Hybrid and new 2.5-litre turbo-petrol powertrains off the table.

However, when asked again by CarsGuide if this just-revealed PHEV could Down Under, Kia Australia Boss Damien Meredith would not be drawn on a solid answer.

"The possibility of adding an alternative powertrain to the new Sorento range will no doubt be a popular topic at the upcoming online launch and can be discussed in detail then," he said.

Europe though, will begin selling the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid in early 2021, which will sit alongside the aforementioned Sorento Hybrid as the engine choices for the more environmentally conscious.

Differentiating the Plug-In Hybrid is a 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine that is paired to a 67kW/304Nm electric motor for a combined system output of 195kW/350Nm, with drive sent to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

A 13.8kWh lithium-ion battery is also fitted, but Kia is not yet ready to reveal the emissions-free driving range of the new flagship Sorento, instead saying the it “will be sufficient to enable drivers to complete most short drives on electric power alone”.

For comparison, the Sorento Hybrid is also propelled by a 1.6-litre petrol and electric motor combo, outputting 169kW/350Nm.

Despite its electrified powertrain, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid still offers seating for up to seven passengers, while cargo capacity extends from 175 litres to 898L depending on configuration.

Equipment inside includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 12-speaker Bose sound system, 64-colour ambient lighting system and smartphone vehicle data monitoring.

Safety-wise, the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid scores forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, surround-view monitor, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, driver attention alert and rear cross-traffic alert.

Kia Australia is launching its Sorento range early next month with prices kicking off at $45,850 before on-road costs for the S petrol in front-wheel-drive guise, extending to $63,070 for the GT-Line diesel AWD.

However, driveaway pricing is available across the Sorento range at launch.