DO PHEVS WORK FOR LONG JOURNEYS? - 2021 KIA SORENTO 4 PHEV

EV Channels Review

The reviewer embarks on a long journey to Cornwall in the 2021 Kia Sorento 4 PHEV, aiming to assess its practicality for extended trips and its fuel economy. The Sorento proves to be exceptionally practical, easily accommodating a bicycle, luggage, and two dogs, highlighting its cavernous interior and flexible seating. On the road, the reviewer praises the Sorento's comfort, relaxing driving experience, and the effectiveness of its adaptive cruise control and lane departure assistance, which made the four-and-a-half-hour drive feel effortless. However, the core focus is on the plug-in hybrid system's real-world performance. While short urban trips yield impressive triple-figure MPG, the long journey reveals a significant drop in fuel economy as the battery depletes. The reviewer notes averaging 39.8 MPG after 168 miles and 40 MPG by the journey's end, a figure considered acceptable for the vehicle's size but a stark contrast to shorter-trip efficiency. The reviewer concludes that for PHEVs to be most effective, regular overnight charging is essential to maximize electric-only driving and achieve better overall fuel economy, a point reinforced by their own desire to plug in to improve efficiency. Despite the MPG fluctuations on long hauls, the Sorento is deemed a comfortable, capable, and impressive vehicle for carrying substantial loads and covering long distances.