By Tony Lesesne
OPENING SCENE: Miami Vibes in the Sorento
The day is picture perfect, the breeze flowing and the music is playing like a theme song to my opning movie. The skylibne glistens in the distance and its all Miami Vibes. Now I'm cruising down Ocean Drive in a gorfeous Kia Sorento PHEV, I felt a distinct sense of… well, not exactly "Miami Vice" cool, but definitely "responsible adult with a slight eco-conscious streak" cool. Think Crockett and Tubbs, but instead of pastel suits and Ferraris, it's sensible khakis and a plug-in hybrid. Don't judge me, I still have the swag to carry the scene and the Kia Sorento looking fly as my co-star. Hey, times change. And as a Miami-based Founder-Producer and host of the Tony Lesesne Lifestyle Innovation Show, I've seen a lot of changes in the automotive world over the past two decades. My partners, Woodie, Cameron and I have traveled the country test-driving and revealing all kinds of great cars, trucks and SUV's. This ride, though, this one has a certain undercover cool. who knows, perhaps in the near future, Kia will catch on to our vibrant car-loving community and partake in our annual sun-splashed events.
The 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV has won several awards, including "Best SUV of the Year" from the Hispanic Motor Press and "Top Pick for Empty Nesters" from Newsweek. The Sorento has also received safety awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). My mission today in this dynamic Plug-in Hybrid Sorento is to see if it lives up to the hype. As someone who's spent years immersed in auto reviews, race car content, and automotive events, was to conquer Miami, Hollywood, and beautiful Coral Gables in this plug-in marvel and get a feel for the ins and outs of the Sorento PHEV.
EXTERIOR DESIGN IMPACT
This isn't your grandma's Kia. This is the refreshed Kia, sporting a new face that screams, "I'm not a minivan, I'm a midsize crossover with three rows, thank you very much!" And honestly, they've nailed it. It's got that "I might wrestle a gator, but I also recycle" vibe. The fire-engine red paint job certainly helped it stand out amongst the sea of rental car white on Ocean Drive. It's a sharp-looking SUV, with just enough edgy design to keep it from blending into the background. It's a design that would definitely get noticed at one of my Cars & Coffee events.
THE DRIVING EDGE
This three-row beast handled everything Miami threw at it, from the stop-and-go of Ocean Drive to the slightly-less-stop-and-go of, well, everywhere else in Miami. The electric motor gives you a decent jolt off the line – enough to leave those gas-guzzling tourists in your dust – though I did notice a slight hesitation sometimes, like the car was briefly contemplating the existential meaning of traffic lights. But once you get going, it's like gliding on a cloud made of recycled unicorn tears. And regenerative braking? So smooth, you'll barely notice you're slowing down. It's like the car is gently suggesting you consider a more leisurely pace of life. Which, let's face it, in Miami, is a suggestion I'm always willing to consider.
Now, let's talk about the plug-in part. 30 miles of pure electric range. That's enough to get you from South Beach to, well, most of South Beach. And when the battery runs out? The gas engine kicks in, and you're still getting decent gas mileage. It's the best of both worlds, like having a margarita that also secretly contains kale. Plus, with 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque on tap (in the PHEV version), this thing can move! It's not exactly a sports car, but it's definitely no slouch. Think "family hauler that can also outrun a rogue wave of tourists." 0-60 mph is a respectable 7.4 seconds. Handling was surprisingly good for a vehicle of this size. The weight of the battery pack seems to give it a more planted feel, making it feel stable and predictable around corners. We averaged around 31 mpg on the highway once the initial electric range was depleted, which, while lower than the EPA estimate, is still impressive for a three-row SUV. I've judged enough cars to know a well-balanced ride when I experience one, and the Sorento PHEV delivers.
INTERIOR INSIGHTS
Inside, it's like a tech convention threw up in a good way. I love it although it took a moment to get the hang of it. Dual 12.3-inch screens? Check. Apple CarPlay? Check. Wireless phone charger? Check. It's so high-tech, I half-expected it to start ordering me venti lattes and telling me how to invest my 401k. The 2025 Kia Sorento has up to 75.5 cubic feet of cargo space, depending on how the rear seats are folded.
Cargo space with seats up
With all seats in place, the 2025 Kia Sorento has 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space
Cargo space with seats folded down
With the third row folded down, the 2025 Kia Sorento has 45 cubic feet of cargo space
With both the second and third rows folded down, the 2025 Kia Sorento has 75.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
The 2025 Kia Sorento's cargo space can accommodate large items like bikes and kayaks. I did not try it but that's wgat the research revealed. The seats are comfortable and supportive, even on longer drives. The second-row captain's chairs are a nice touch, offering plenty of space for passengers. The third row, however, is a bit… cozy. Let's just say it's best reserved for small children or people you don't particularly like. Cargo space is impressive, though not class-leading. You could probably smuggle a small yacht's worth of… well, let's just say "groceries" back there with the third row folded down.
THE FINAL ACT
Of course, no car (or SUV) is perfect. The third row is a bit… cozy. And the price tag? It's not exactly chump change. But if you're looking for a spacious, stylish, and eco-friendly SUV that can handle everything from grocery runs to the occasional family road trip (or, you know, chasing down drug lords in a fire-engine red crossover), the Kia Sorento PHEV is definitely worth a look. As someone who's been immersed in the automotive world for over two decades, from reviews to race cars to judging prestigious awards, I can confidently say this Sorento PHEV offers a compelling blend of practicality, technology, and efficiency. Just maybe leave the pastel suits at home. Khaki is the new Miami Vice. And if you're a car lover in the Miami area, come join me and my group for rides, chats, coffee, cars, and auto show events! We're always looking for new members to share our passion.
ABOUT Tony Lesesne
Tony Lesesne is a Miami-based Founder-Producer and host of LMG Entertainment Digital Networks and shows like the Tony Lesesne Lifestyle Innovation Show. With more than two decades of experience in auto reviews, race car content, and automotive events and awards, Tony is a respected voice in the automotive world. He's also started a new group of car lovers who join him on rides and chats, coffee and cars events, and auto show events, and who participate in prestigious judging panels for various award categories.
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