Let me start by saying—I didn’t buy the Kia Sorento to replace another SUV. I already have a Haval H6, which I still drive. The Sorento was explicitly added because I needed a reliable and comfortable 7-seater for when the entire family gathers. You know how it is—kids come back from abroad, relatives drop in, and you want to take everyone out together.
Instead of using two cars, it made sense to add a proper 7-seater. That’s what led me to the Sorento—and to be honest, it’s been a solid choice.
Fortuner? No Thanks—I Needed Comfort, Not Climbing
A lot of people ask me, “Why didn’t you go for a Fortuner at this price point?” Well, I’ve driven the Fortuner too. It’s a beast for rough roads and off-road conditions. But I live in the city. I needed something comfortable, refined, and tech-loaded—not something made for unpaved tracks.
The Fortuner has its strengths, but for an urban lifestyle, the Sorento is in a different class altogether.
Driving Experience
I’ve taken the Sorento on highways like the Ring Road, pushing it up to 140 km/h—it stayed rock solid. No bouncing, no drama. The hybrid setup, featuring a 1.6L turbo engine and electric motor, delivers a refined driving experience. You don’t feel any lag, and the ride is quiet and smooth.
The brakes? Best I’ve experienced recently, and I’ve driven quite a few SUVs.
I typically keep it in Smart Drive Mode, which adapts based on my driving style. It switches between eco and sport depending on inputs, and that’s exactly what I need—no need to keep fiddling with drive modes.
Real-World Fuel Average
Let’s be honest—you won’t get the claimed 18 km/l, not in real conditions.
I’m getting around 13.2 km/L, and the mileage varies depending on who’s driving. If my driver is waiting outside a restaurant with the AC running, the average drops. But for a 7-seater hybrid SUV, 13+ km/l is decent.
So while I wouldn’t call it a fuel-saver, it’s still better than many petrol-only alternatives in the same class.
Features I Love: Everyday Luxury
One of the reasons I opted for the top variant of the Sorento Hybrid AWD is that it’s packed with thoughtful features. As someone who has driven multiple SUVs over the years, I really appreciate how Kia focused on comfort and practicality.
Here’s what stood out:
- Ventilated and Heated Seats – I switch on heated seats for passengers in winter and enjoy the cooling in summer. It’s fun and effective!
- Bose Sound System – Crystal-clear, powerful, and immersive.
- Panoramic Roof – It brightens up the third row, too—no more claustrophobic passengers in the back.
- Smart Touch Console – Switch between AC and multimedia with a single button. So intuitive.
- Rear AC with Separate Controls – Full comfort for third-row passengers.
- Multiple Charging Ports – Every row has its own, so no more “Mera charger kahan hai?”
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto – Seamless phone integration on a big screen.
- Memory Seats – My seat settings return with the touch of a button. No further adjustments are needed after the driver has made changes.
ADAS & Safety Features
Initially, I found the lane-keep assist and auto-braking a bit irritating. Especially since you can’t permanently turn them off—you have to disable them every time.
But one day, at Liberty Market, a man suddenly crossed the road. I hadn’t hit the brake yet, but the car did it for me. That moment made me realize—these features can save lives.
Other highlights:
- Blind Spot Cameras are phenomenal, even in low-light conditions.
- Heads-Up Display keeps your eyes on the road—no need to glance down at the speedo.
- Rear cross-traffic alerts work flawlessly.
Missing Features: Not Deal-Breakers, But Worth Mentioning
Coming from Haval and MG vehicles, I did notice a few features missing:
- No auto camera activation at low speeds – In the H6, cameras activate below 10 km/h. In the Sorento, they only activate when the indicator is used.
- Only one interior color option – Regardless of exterior color, you only get black interior.
- Auto high beam works subtly – It’s not aggressive; it gradually brightens and dims. Great once you understand it.
Honestly, these are minor drawbacks compared to the rest of the feature set.
Maintenance So Far
So far, I’ve driven the Sorento just around 1,500 km, but I made it a point to look into the long-term maintenance expectations early on.
The routine oil change cost is estimated to be between PKR 15,000 and PKR 16,000, which is quite typical for a mid-size hybrid SUV in this segment. This includes basic service without any major component replacements.
Naturally, once the car reaches 20,000 to 30,000 km, the expenses will increase. Services like throttle body cleaning, spark plug replacement, or transmission checks will add to the cost. But for now, everything looks pretty manageable.
So far, Kia’s service experience has been smooth. No delays, no significant complaints. I haven’t faced any issues with parts availability, which is a relief, considering the hybrid powertrain.
What I Paid and Why It Was Worth It
I booked my Sorento for PKR 161 lakhs, but due to the sudden carbon tax, I ended up paying around PKR 172–173 lakhs.
That did sting, mainly because I was about to travel to the U.S. and thought I could wait. However, the budget changes and tax hike soon followed. So I rushed to get delivery before prices went further up.
Still, for what it offers, I have no regrets. I’m glad I didn’t delay.
Final Verdict
To summarize, if you:
- Live in a city
- Often have family outings
- Need a 7-seater with tech, comfort, and safety
- Don’t care for off-roading…
…then the Kia Sorento Hybrid AWD is a solid investment. It’s not flashy or loud, but it’s premium where it counts. It feels intelligent, well-built, and tuned for our kind of daily use.
What I Love:
- Unmatched comfort for the price
- Great feature set
- Excellent stability and road manners
- Better fuel economy than traditional SUVs
What Could Be Better:
- Real fuel average vs. claimed
- A few missing innovative features compared to rivals
- Only black interior option
It may not turn heads like a luxury badge, but for me and my family, the Sorento turns every trip into a smooth, relaxing experience—and that’s what matters most.
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