2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Owner’s Manual

The 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is a cutting-edge addition to Kia’s range. It combines eco-friendliness with flexible performance in a way that works well. This hybrid SUV has a powerful mix of a gas-efficient internal combustion engine and an electric motor. This gives it great gas mileage and lower pollution levels. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has a sleek and modern design and offers a roomy and flexible cabin, advanced technology integration, and a number of driver-assistance features to make driving comfortable and easy. The 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid is going to change how easy and fun it is to get around cities with its environmentally friendly yet powerful engine.

2023 Kia Sorento Specs, Price, Features, Mileage

Components of the hybrid/plug-in hybrid vehicle

Plug-in hybrid vehicle components

The actual shape may differ from the illustration.

1. Engine: 1.6 L
2. Motor: 66.9 kW
3. Transmission: 6 AT
4. Hybrid starter generator (HSG)
5. HPCU (Hybrid Power Control Unit)
6. High voltage battery system
7. Regenerative brake system
8. Virtual Engine Sound System (VESS)

The Hybrid battery uses high volt-age to operate the electric motor and other components. High voltage is dangerous if touched.
Your vehicle is equipped with orange-colored insulation and covers over the high-voltage components to protect people from electric shock. High voltage warning labels are attached to some system components as additional warnings. Have your vehicle serviced by a professional workshop. Kia recommends to visit an authorized Kia dealer/service partner.
HPCU (Hybrid Power Control Unit) *1

WARNING
In the hybrid system, the hybrid battery uses high voltage to operate the motor and other components. This high-voltage hybrid battery system can be very dangerous.
Never touch the hybrid system. When you touch the hybrid battery system, serious injury or death may occur.

CAUTION
Be careful when loading flammable liquid in the passenger compartment. It could cause operational and safety degradation if the liquid leaks and flows in the high voltage battery.

WARNING
As with all batteries, avoid fluid contact with the hybrid battery. If the battery is damaged and if electrolyte comes in contact with your body, clothes or eyes, immediately flush with a large quantity of fresh water.
Do not use an after-market battery charger to charge the hybrid battery. Doing so may result in death or serious injury.

High waters

• Avoid high waters as this may result in your vehicle becoming saturated with water and could compromise the high voltage components.
• Do not touch the any of the high voltage components within your vehicle if your vehicle has been submerged in water equal to half of the vehicle height. Touching high voltage components once submerged in water could result in severe burns or electric shock that could result in death or serious injury.

Carrying liquids in the tailgate
Do not load large amounts of water in open containers into the vehicle. If the water spills onto the HEV battery, it may cause a short and damage battery.

Cleaning engine
When you clean the engine compartment, do not wash using water. Water may cause electric arcing to occur and damage electronic parts and components.

Exposure to high voltage

• High voltage in the hybrid battery system is very dangerous and can cause severe burns and electric shock. This may result in serious injury or death.
• For your safety, never touch replace, dismantle or remove any portion of the hybrid battery sys-tem including components, cables and connectors.

Use of water or liquids
If water or liquids come into contact with the hybrid system compo-nents, and you are also in contact with the water, severe injury or death due to electrocution may occur.

Hot components
When the hybrid battery system operates, the HEV battery system can be hot. Heat burns may result from touching even insulated components of the HEV system.

Fuel requirements

Unleaded
For the optimal vehicle performance, we recommend you to use unleaded petrol with an octane rat-ing of RON (Research Octane Number) 95/AKI (Anti Knock Index) 91 or higher.
You may use unleaded petrol with an octane rating of RON 91 ~ 94/AKI 87 ~ 90 but it may result in slight performance reduction of the vehi-cle. (Do not use methanol blended fuels.)

CAUTION
NEVER USE LEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is detrimental to the catalytic converter and will damage the engine control system’s oxygen sensor and affect emission control. Never add any fuel system cleaning agents to the fuel tank other than what has been specified. (Kia recommends consulting an authorized Kia dealer/service partner for details.)

WARNING

• Do not “top off” after the nozzle automatically shuts off when refuelling.
• Always check that the fuel cap is installed securely to prevent fuel spillage in the event of an accident.

Petrol containing alcohol and methanol Gasohol, a mixture of petrol and ethanol (also known as grain alcohol), and petrol or gasohol containing methanol (also known as wood alcohol) are being marketed along with or instead of leaded or unleaded petrol.
Do not use gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol, and do not use petrol or gasohol containing any methanol. Either of these fuels may cause drivability problems and dam-age to the fuel system, engine con-trol system and emission control system.
Discontinue using gasohol of any kind if driveability problems occur.
Vehicle damage or driveability problems may not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty if they result from the use of:

1. Gasohol containing more 10% ethanol.
2. Petrol or gasohol containing methanol.
3. Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
   CAUTION Never use gasohol which contains methanol. Discontinue use of any gasohol product which impairs drivability.

Other fuels
Using fuels such as

• Silicone (Si) contained fuel,
• MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl
  Manganese Tricarbonyl), Manganese (Mn) contained fuel
• Ferrocene (Fe) contained fuel, and Other metallic additives contained fuels, may cause vehicle and engine damage or cause plugging, misfiring, poor acceleration, engine stalling, catalyst melting, abnormal corrosion, life cycle reduction, etc. Also, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate.

NOTICE
Damage to the fuel system or performance problem caused by the use of these fuels may not be covered by your New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Use of MTBE
Kia recommends avoiding fuels containing MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) over 15.0% vol. (Oxygen Con-tent 2.7% weight) in your vehicle.
Fuel containing MTBE over 15.0% vol. (Oxygen Content 2.7% weight) may reduce vehicle performance and produce vapour lock or hard starting.

Do not use methanol
Fuels containing methanol (wood alcohol) should not be used in your vehicle. This type of fuel can reduce vehicle performance and damage components of the fuel system, engine control system and emission control system.

Fuel additives
Kia recommends that you use unleaded petrol which has an octane rating of RON (Research Octane Number) 95 / AKI (Anti Knock Index) 91 or higher (for Europe) or Octane Rating of RON (Research Octane Number) 91 / AKI (Anti-Knock Index) 87 or higher (except Europe).
For customers who do not use good quality petrols including fuel additives regularly, and have problems starting or the engine does not run smoothly, one bottle of additives should be added to the fuel tank when the engine oil is replaced.
Additives are available from a professional workshop along with information on how to use them. Kia recommends to visit an authorized Kia dealer/service partner.
Operation in foreign countries
If you are going to drive your vehicle in another country, be sure to:

• Observe all regulations regarding registration and insurance.
• Determine that acceptable fuel is available.

Vehicle modifications
This vehicle should not be modified. Modification of your vehicle could affect its performance, safety or durability and may even violate governmental safety and emissions regulations.
In addition, damage or performance problems resulting from any modification may not be covered under warranty.
If you use unauthorized electronic devices, it may cause the vehicle to operate abnormally, wire damage, battery discharge and fire. For your safety, do not use unauthorized electronic devices.

Vehicle break-in process
By following a few simple precautions for the first 6,000 km (4,000 miles) you may increase the performance, economy and life of your vehicle.

• Do not race the engine.
• Whilst driving, keep your engine speed (rpm, or revolutions per minute) within 3,000 rpm.
• Do not maintain a single speed for long periods of time, either fast or slow. Varying engine speed is needed to properly break in the engine.
• Avoid hard stops, except in emergencies, to allow the brakes to seat properly.
• Don’t tow a trailer during the first 2,000 km (1,200 miles) of operation.
• Fuel economy and engine performance may vary depending on vehicle break-in process and be stabilized after 6,000 km (4,000 miles). New engines may consume more oil during the vehicle break-in period.

Risk of burns when parking or stopping vehicle

• Do not park or stop the vehicle near flammable items such as leaves, paper, oil, and tyre. Such items placed near the exhaust system can become a fire hazard.
• When an engine idles at a high speed with the rear side of the vehicle touching the wall, heat of the exhaust gas can cause discolouration or fire. Keep enough space between the rear part of the vehicle and the wall.
•  Be sure not to touch the exhaust catalytic systems whilst engine is running or right after the engine is turned off. There is a risk of burns since the systems are extremely hot.

Vehicle handling instructions
As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control, an accident or vehicle rollover.
Specific design characteristics
(higher ground clearance, track, etc.) give this vehicle a higher centre of gravity than other types of vehicles. In other words they are not designed for cornering at the same speeds as conventional 2-wheel drive vehicles.
Avoid sharp turns or abrupt manoeuvres. Again, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control, an accident or vehicle rollover.
Be sure to read the “Reducing the risk of a rollover” on page 6-220.

HEV/PHEV powertrain
By following a few simple precautions for the first 6,000 km (4,000 miles) you may increase the performance economy and life of your vehicle.
Do not race the engine.
Avoid hard stops, except in emergencies, to allow the brakes to seat properly.

FAQ