I am 6'2 with a large frame, I can fit in all 3 rows comfortably, with all the seats in each row adjusted for me. KIA, Hyundai, Genesis products have LONG TRAVEL in regards to their front to rear seat travel. Next time adjust all the rows for you before you claim something doesn't offer much room in a row.

Finally!!! I've been asking for this review. I ordered a PHEV SX Prestige on December 4th 2021... STILL not built yet.. no updates from kia or the dealer. Paid a $500 deposit

You did not really test the Hybrid fuel economy, both in town and on the highway. Some reports say it does not get to the rated EPA numbers, which are already lower, and that the electric motor is not strong enough for a real EV mode experience. Wish you had covered this better.

Another excellent review Brian! Excellent pairing with Alex. A Dynamic Duo!

I appreciate you pointing out the negatives more than Alex usually does.

Nice work, Brian! Keep in mind that tires are actually measured in three different ways: in this case the 235 equals the width in millimeters, while the 55 equals the RATIO of the tire height, but not the millimeters in height as you state. Whoops! Then, finally, the final number (17, 18, or 19, for example) equals the diameter of the wheel in inches. Quite confusing, I agree. Best of luck with your continued success!

You're wrong, that range is the combined ev and gas. There is a view that will show you the gas range and ev separately

Great review, Brian!

I love the fact that the PHEV actually defaults into 'EV ONLY' mode whenever you turn it on - which is how I want to drive it. Sure, I can push it back into HEV mode, to use the engine as needed, and to preserve Battery miles, but, that's not how I use this car during everyday commuting and errands - I DONT'T want the engine to ever turn on unless I WANT it to. I use the HEV when going on long trips, and this works great, too. Regardless, when the battery is at a certain low level, the screen will tell you '0' miles, and the HEV mode will AUTOMATICALLY kick on, and stay on, until more than '0' miles are available. You can also INCREASE your battery miles, if you want, by moving the dial into SPORT(Power) mode - this runs the engine more, and at a higher rate, in order to also charge the battery pack at the same time. There are, though, several 'modes' that I still do not understand after 10,000 miles and almost 5 months of driving - a 'Smart' dial mode, which I assume would toggle itself between other modes as needed, though I can't confirm, and the HEV/EV button's third option, which is 'Auto' mode, though, again, I have no idea what that means. HEV, itself, is already HYBRID mode, meaning that the engine is used as needed, and the battery is used when applicable, but these other 'modes' don't necessarily give any indication of anything 'different' than HEV mode, which is allowing the computer to decide when and where to apply the engine, etc. SMART and AUTO sound good, but they are meaningless without some type of explanation.

Where is the Trunk Comfort Index, Brian? How am I supposed to know if I should buy this vehicle if you don't tell me about the trunk comfort? :)

Excellent presentation, Brian. You have details at your fingertips, never pause too long in your talk, and point out features that are important to me but that some other reviewers omit. Keep up the great work!

thanks for the review. The second roll two seat design is why I changed my mind of buying this SUV. I really am still waiting for a PHEV that does minimum of 60~80 miles of EV before I will dive into it. I think that would be perfect balance of both world for me.

I don't want captains chairs but this is definitely on my test drive list. I REALLY like most everything about the new palisade, probably also look at the qx60, mdx & grand cherokee L.

@<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="868">14:28</a> you're speeding Brian :P Nice review. Really appreciate your insight on this model. I have to disagree on the song track point though. Songs are usually in a vertical list in a streaming playlist like Spotify, 1-99 for example. It makes sense to me to go up to go to the previous song in the list and down to the song next in the list.

In December I traded my 2021 Jeep Compass in for a 2021 VW ID.4. It's full electric from now on for me.

I 100% agree with you! Up means up and down means down a track! My Subaru does the same stupid thing! Also if I want the intermittent wipers going faster you should press forward and backward to back off! Seriously frustrating!

I like the Sorento but the lack of the 3 passengers on the 2nd row is a big problem. Captain chairs is impractical when the 3rd row is basically a bench on the floor. Will test it but I am already thinking nah.

I would argue about audio track control switch, I found it natural to go down to the next track. Great review, thanks!

Cargo box is a must. I love my sore to but wish I would of waited for this version.

How long does it take to charge the battery?

Nice review. Good flow. I did have a question tho, how did you arrive at 7/10 for seats not comfortable enough for a daily driver?

"he has a different frame" yeah, he dummy thicc

please do santa fe PHEV to commpare with this. great review as always

Long time no see!!!

For EV-type shopping, it’s not always easy to find a car that is available for test drives in the current car market (to form an opinion of the seats, amongst other things ! So many are pre-sold before they arrive. And I’ve encountered some dealers that -do- have ONE of the vehicle inside their showroom with a big markup, and they won’t allow test drives. (Supply is so tight that they know that they will sell them regardless)

Wish Kia would offer a 2-row version. We own a 2019 Santa Fe and really appreciate the huge storage well immediately behind the second row (where the third row goes in Santa Fes in other world markets). Would like a bit more hauling room than we currently have, and a 2-row version -- with that storage well -- would fit our needs to a tee.

In Georgia dealerships that I have visited are marking it up $15k. The SX prestige was ~65k...and no SX available. Im a bit disappointing that yall didnt show it in full EV mode, or did I miss it? Anyways, I order a Escape PHEV. Ford promise no markups but it has not been built. They said April 18 and ford has sent me emails postponing the date three times. Now it is May 9.

How is it to drive in full electric, and what is the real world range? Is there a top speed for all electric? I have a 30 mile round trip office commute, including 20 miles of interstate. I expect I wouldn't make it all electric in the winter (with heat/defrost), but would really like to know if it would make it without heating/cooling.

If you had a full charge the mileage meter would account for that. The miles shown as you have in this video is taking into account the estimated mileage you should have in hybrid mode (your EV miles appear used up) with your driving habits.

I agree about the toggle switch which should push to next channel/song by pushing up (lots of discussion in the social media about it). Also I believe the sunroof package will upgrade to LED lighting but NOT ambient lighting (for US Spec). I currently have Sorento PHEV Prestige US Spec. Great Review, keep up the good work!

0-60 in EV only mode?

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="270">4:30</a> Ford Maverick, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Venue have blue interior options.

I want to purchase one but with 7 seats.

You guys still haven’t done a 2023 sportage

RAV4 prime will start the ICE in cold weather as well

So I have to assume that since the Santa Fe PHEV is built on the same platform it will drive the same with regards to the lack of ability to keep it in EV mode only and that you are really unable to get the 30 or so miles of EV range BEFORE the gas motor turns on. That is a no go for me on either of these cars.

i don't understand if the seating score is rervant only to you why do you provide it ? why should we care ?

Great job Brian! I had a RAV4 Prime for 8 months after selling my Tesla Model Y. The 45 miles EV range was ideal for me as I have a 20 mile commute to work…Sold it because someone offered me an unGodly amount of money for it! So, looking to either get another one when prices come down, or get one of these. I’d prefer the RAV4 Prime; lower price and more EV range, and I had no issues with mine except the base stereo sucked…other than that, it was a perfect car…I don’t need the third row of seats, just the room. The RAV4 Prime lets you stay in EV mode, even when you floor it, as long as you’re above 20% battery, so that was great. Also drove very much like a pure EV. My previous Niro PHEV would have the ICE kick in when you touched the throttle to firmly, even if in all EV mode. Not crazy about having the gears…I have a Niro EV and had a Niro PHEV. The PHEV had the DCT and it wasn’t very well sorted out…and I TOTALLY agree with you on the next track button. You get used to it quickly, but it’s different than my other cars, so a pain every time you start out.

100% about the previous/next buttons.

Nice car but I always wonder why Hyundai/Kia continue to use a conventional automatic transmission in their hybrids/phev vehicle. I feel like it adds more mechanical complexity to the hybrid system. I feel like by now they should switch to a serial hybrid system that eliminates the need for a transmission.

I refuse to buy PHEVs or EVs with a markup. I'll wait until the price goes down.

So you work for Alex?

Definitely benchmarked Volvo and MB on the interior. Not bad at all. I wish H/K would develop a new transmission for the hybrids, as the 6spd has been around for years now and seem to limit efficiency and speed of their hybrid systems. This is still a good choice for the targeted market though...

Great Review Brian. This Sorrento PHEV and even the regular HEV are going to lose buyers due to the lack of a 5 passenger two row version. The interior design seems pretty nice though.

i can see myself in a hybrid sorento, i can't belive i just said that

Like I said when you first joined, you are a PERFECT fit for Alex on Autos, Brian! You just keep getting better and better every video!

This seems to check all the boxes especially if that tax credit works out.

Seems like the regular hybrid Sorento hits the sweet spot over this one

I provided another comment elsewhere, it got long…bottom line, if you want room and some EV range, you can’t beat the Pacifica hybrid. I had the regular Pacifica and it was great. The PHEV came out 4 months later and I wish I had waited. I will be shopping the Pacifica PHEV, RAV4 Prime, and these other PHEVs. I need about 50 miles of EV range, ideally, which none of these give, so will try to see which fits my needs best. I had a RAV4 Prime for 8 months and sold it for an unGodly amount of money and didn’t need the extra car around while my son is away at school, so just holding out until prices come down, or inventory goes up!

The 2 captains chairs in the second row is why I would shop this car since my kids are bigger and want more individual comfy seats. Bench seats are offered in all other CUV's so I think they made a good choice to make this Sorento different and better for family like ours.

I hope Hyundai also introduced it's PHEV version of this vehicle (the Santa Fe)!

Surprised it's slower than the hybrid. probably cheaper with the tax credit though.

The third row should only be used in a pinch

I had no idea Mitsubishi was owned by Nissan now. Looks like my scope of car research just got larger

Why is this the most calming car review ever?

Help save a marriage and please go into a detailed review of the features of the front PASSENGER seat of near-luxury SUVs. "All" KZfaq reviewers skip over front seat details, except Alex in luxury SUVs. In this review it has a "seat comfort" section. Then much later, Alex posts that Prestige has 14 way driver & 10 way front passenger, but without id-ing Lumbar or Extension or Bolster or Massage or Magic Leprechaun granting 3 wishes.

My Pacifica Plug in kills this. More room and 6 kw charger instead of 3. I have the extended warranty so reliability is not such a big deal. For what it's worth mine had been flawless for the first year.

Excellent review :-)

$5000 more gets you the Volvo XC60 recharge phev and it qualifies for the full tax credit. At these prices, I would rather have the Volvo. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Steering wheel feels exactly like a Volvo

Audio is out of sync…..

Well, you want a real third row seat, you buy a Telluride.

Auto Hold!! YES YES!! ;) Wait is this a 2022 or 2023? The video shows 2023, but the header is 2022.

No bench seat option is a deal breaker.

Thanks for this! Excellent review and presentation. I’m going to look at the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid now.

I test drove it before mark up was crazy like right now. I used to regret not to get it but I am now glad, this car is too complicated!

my local dealer charges a $10K dealer markup above MSRP, and they are all sold out.

i've heard that transmissions are failing in these machines - not sure if it affects the hybrid variants. <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="600">10:00</a> - i've heard this is a Korean or Asian thing. Where in Japan (Sony) the "X" doesn't mean wrong.. it means "X" marks the spot or "Yes"?

You can expect a lot of EV driving in short range warm temp daily trips but if you’re on the road constantly this is more of a hybrid. At 6’ I barely fit behind myself in each row with rear being super cramped. Young family hauler or a family where the average height is 5’6.”

Presentation needs a little work. Like dress and emotion. I like the lack of a huge moonroof.

"Go big or go home" and don't forget the extended warranty... preferably one *MILLION* miles bumper to bumper given current sales collapse of the entire ICE complex quite suddenly first Russia now the USA.

We have one of these as a company car for our trade association. it's a pretty good car but boy is it loud when it's in EV mode lots of buzzing and whirring and clunking noises!

Brian you have big shoes to fill. And you’re filling them well…

Alex trained this guy well

Pacifica Hybrid costs more than this.

Nice option. Just want 7 seats not 6.

@<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="600">10:00</a> no I disagree. Up is replay and previous, down is next track.

Is this Alex's boyfriend?

Vehicles like this are a head scratcher for me. Why build a 3rd row in a car when it doesn’t fit? And why do people buy these? If you need a usable 3rd row, get a minivan. There is not a single compact SUV with a 3rd row that can hold a candle to the average minivan 3rd row, and usually the minivans are better to drive since they are less too heavy. Regarding the comment about using a rooftop box to supplement a tiny cargo area, the problem with that is that roof top boxes have a significant effect on fuel efficiency, especially at highway speeds and really especially on more fuel efficient vehicles. Cargo contained within the cargo area has a negligible impact on fuel efficiency on flat ground.

A 160 MPH speedo on this vehicle is just stupid.

🧐

This is not "Alex" on Autos. Bait and switch! 😒

This new guy is cute. Well I definitely have another reason to watch

2nd row captain seats are a deal breaker.

Where is Alex? This kid is not working for me.

Sugma

Oh how times have changed, "the Tesla Model Y is more than $20k more and doesn't have a tax credit" Fast forward to 2023 and the Model Y gets a $13k price cut and a $7500 tax credit and the Kia loses the $6k tax credit. So less than 1 year later, the price delta is >$26k different.

There's....an actual... _BLUE_ ......interior? An honest to goodness, real colour?? :-o Oh...my.......word. ABOUT EFFING TIME! If there's one other *incomprehensible design decision* from car manufacturers over the last number of years besides utterly dangerous _'touch-screen-only-to-do-bloody-everything'_ that's been foisted upon the car buying public, it's BLACK INTERIORS. Plain black; shows-every-little-fuzz-and-hair black; funereal, mourning black; ugly, unimaginative, light-sucking, cheap looking, no other choice but black.....black. I'd buy this car for the blue and beige interior alone.

Rav4 prime is superior

Sorry man, Brian is unwatchable.