The Toyota Prius is arguably the most impressive hybrid vehicle on the market. The Prius paved the way for countless hybrid vehicles. Its gas mileage gives the compact car over 600 miles of driving range. Only one Kia SUV on the market has more range than the Toyota Prius.
This Kia SUV has more autonomy than a Toyota Prius
What is the driving range? Driving range is the total distance a vehicle can go on a full tank of gas. Vehicles with above average driving ranges tend to be fuel efficient. Thanks to advances in hybrid technology, a handful of hybrid vehicles can travel more than 600 miles on a single tank of gas. This is quite common in hybrid cars, but rare in hybrid SUVs.
The 2023 Toyota Prius gets 57 combined mpg. It has an 11.3 gallon gas tank. So a 2023 Prius on a full tank of gas should be able to travel about 644 miles. That’s a staggering amount of range for any vehicle, regardless of size.
Longer driving range means fewer trips to the gas station to refuel. Best of all, refueling the Prius is inexpensive due to its relatively small gas tank. Most small SUVs don’t come close to 600 miles of range. A midsize Kia SUV gets more range on a full tank than the Toyota Prius.
According to cars.com, the 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid gets 39 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highway. It has a 17.7 gallon gas tank. Thanks to the Sorento Hybrid’s great fuel economy for its size and fuel capacity, it can travel about 654 miles on a full tank of gas. The Sorento Hybrid is much more expensive to fuel than the Toyota Prius, but it will get you farther on a single tank of gas.
Why the Driving Range Matters to Midsize SUV Drivers
Most consumers looking to purchase a midsize SUV aim to regularly accommodate a large number of passengers. Midsize SUVs can be expensive for owners and families because heavier vehicles tend to be less fuel efficient. Midsize SUVs are often used for road trips because they can accommodate more passengers than small SUVs. The practice range is especially important for road trips because less practice range means more money spent refueling between starting point and destination.
A midsize SUV with less than 400 miles of total range may not appeal to drivers who take regular road trips or drive long distances. So a vehicle like the 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid is especially attractive to people who plan to spend many hours on the road.
Should You Buy a 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid?
The 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid starts at $36,590. It uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor to make 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
The Sorento Hybrid comes standard with SynTex-trimmed seats with heated front seats and a wireless phone charger. It also includes front and rear parking sensors, smart cruise control with stop and go, and driver attention warning.
The 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid is an excellent midsize SUV for the money. It is praised for its elegant interior, spacious cargo area, and powerful hybrid powertrain system. If you value fuel economy and plan to regularly seat three to five passengers, the Sorento Hybrid is one of the best midsize SUVs on the market.