Anything to read into the just-added entry EX being lineball on price with well-supported diesel edition in similar trim?

SPECULATION about the long-term future of Sorento in its historically bedrock diesel format has elicited response from Kia New Zealand.

Announcement of a sixth hybrid (HEV) petrol variant might raise questions about the implication for the 2.2-litre turbodiesel that has been the most popular choice by far for the majority of the model’s buyers.

The arrival of an entry EX means the brand now offers its petrol-aligned hybrids in four hybrid formats – across two trim levels, each in front or all wheel drive, topping with an $82,990 edition. It also has two AWD variants with plug-in replenishment capability, ultimately in a $89,990 format.

It also has four diesel variants, from $59,990 to $76,990.

The EX edition in HEV (meaning it has electric assistance, but no external means to replenish) has been priced at $63,990 – the same money Kia New Zealand asks for the EX diesel that has often been a top seller.

A representative for the Auckland-based operation agreed with the proposal that hybrid popularity is growing, but resisted offering thought about what percentage of overall Sorento volume the types might achieve.

“The initial uptake of Hybrid has been very strong, especially the new EX variant,” he said.

“With Sorento sales mix and volume being limited by supply for some time yet, we would have to be very brave to make any predictions at this point.”

Did the price parity with a popular diesel variant signal that Kia NZ is perceiving and planning for potential market shift away from the diesel?

“We are being bold with this pricing initiative, it's not often a brand will present owners with a price-parity opportunity to choose between two different powertrain options.

“As we've stated previously, we have an eye on an electric future and this is one way to introduce people to a hybrid motoring experience without additional outlay at time of purchase.”

The EX variants are not identical; the diesel provisions in all-wheel-drive for that money, whereas the hybrid is front-drive. It can be bought in AWD for another $2000, however.

All electrified Sorentos use a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, producing 132kW/265Nm. The HEV adds a 44kW/264Nm electric motor while the PHEV gets a stronger 67kW/304Nm unit. Total outputs for each are 169kW/350Nm and 195kW/350Nm respectively.

The plug-in hybrid offers an electric-only range of 57km and fuel consumption of 1.6L/100km. The hybrid has more limited electric-only range and returns 5.4L/100km in 2WD guise and 6.2L/100km with AWD.

While the EX hybrid makes more power than the diesel, which has 148kW the tables are turned on torque, with the diesel creating 440Nm.

The diesel is beaten for economy, as it optimises at 6.1 litres per 100km, and on emissions. The hybrid is claimed to produce 124 grams per kilometre in front-drive and 141g/km in AWD versus whereas the diesel outputs 159g/km.

The Sorento powertrains also share with the Hyundai sister ship, the Santa Fe, but have yet to be positioned in those models in this market, though Hyundai NZ says it intends to undertake that span when it can.

Kia’s move toward electric-assisted propulsion is not restricted to the seven-seater sports utility. It already has an electric Niro compact crossover in the market to compete with the Hyundai Kona and last week confirmed it will introduce the exciting EV6 (above), the latest battery-pure product it has created.

This sister ship to the Hyundai Ioniq Five will be here before the end of this year, with pricing and full local specifications yet to be announced, though the local distributor has indicated the high-end GT performance version is included.

Kia NZ says the EX hybrid will present as an ideal vehicle for families contemplating the switch to reduced-emissions motoring - without compromising on style or passenger-carrying capability.

In a release about the type, Kia NZ managing director Todd McDonald said Sorento has already proven to be a fantastic success “so we anticipate the availability of a more competitively-priced entry option will only further the appeal of the new model.”

All Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid Kia Sorento models feature a five-star ANCAP safety rating and offer a myriad of safety considerations as standard, including Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist and Lane Follow Assist.