Planning a family road trip this summer? Kia gives Quebec families two very different three-row answers: the Sorento PHEV and the EV9. One plugs in and still carries a gas tank for backup. The other goes fully electric. The right pick depends on how your family actually travels, not which spec sheet looks longer.
Sorento PHEV vs EV9 at a Glance
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Category
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Sorento PHEV
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EV9
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Powertrain
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Plug-in hybrid, AWD
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Fully electric, RWD or AWD depending on trim
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Seating capacity
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6
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6 or 7, depending on trim
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Electric range
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55 km all-electric
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370 km to 491 km, depending on trim
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Cargo behind third row
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357 L
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573 L
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Cargo behind front row (rows folded)
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2,139 L
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2,314 L
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Max towing
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2,000 lbs (907 kg)
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2,000 lbs (907 kg) to 5,000 lbs (2,267 kg), depending on trim
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Level 2 charging (240V)
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3.8 h
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6.75 h to 8.75 h, depending on battery
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DC fast charging
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Not applicable (gasoline backup)
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Up to 350 kW
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Battery warranty
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96 months / 150,000 km
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96 months / 150,000 km
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Powertrain and Range: Two Ways to Cover Distance
The Sorento PHEV pairs a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for 268 combined horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, running through a 6-speed automatic and AWD. It covers 55 km on electricity alone, then switches to its 47 L gasoline tank for the rest of the trip.
The EV9 skips gasoline entirely. The base Light RWD trim makes 215 hp with a 370 km range, while the Wind RWD trim swaps in a larger battery for 491 km on 201 hp. The Land AWD trim delivers 379 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque with a 455 km range, useful for icy on-ramps and longer highway pulls.
If your route runs through areas where charging stations are scarce, the Sorento PHEV’s gasoline backup removes that worry entirely. If your trip stays within a charged EV9’s range, or you can plan around fast-charging stops, the EV9 covers more distance between refuels.
Seating and Cargo for the Whole Crew
Both SUVs carry three rows, but they split up passengers and gear differently. The Sorento PHEV seats 6, with sliding, reclining second-row seats and a 357 L cargo well behind the third row. Fold the second and third rows down and that grows to 2,139 L.
The EV9’s Light RWD trim seats 7 with a 60:40 second-row bench, while the Land AWD trim seats 6 with second-row captain’s chairs. Cargo behind the third row measures 573 L, and folding both rear rows opens up 2,314 L.
- Sorento PHEV: 6-passenger layout, sliding and reclining second row
- EV9 Light RWD: 7-passenger layout with a 60:40 bench
- EV9 Land AWD: 6-passenger layout with second-row captain’s chairs
For a family that keeps all three rows up on every trip and still needs room for a cooler and hockey bags, the EV9’s deeper 573 L third-row cargo well handles more than the Sorento PHEV’s 357 L. For a family that folds the third row often and just needs one big open floor, the Sorento PHEV’s 2,139 L still covers strollers, suitcases, and camping gear.
Towing for Trailers and Weekend Toys
The Sorento PHEV tows up to 2,000 lbs (907 kg) across the lineup, enough for a small utility trailer or a couple of bikes on a hitch rack.
The EV9 matches that 2,000 lbs (907 kg) rating on its Light and Wind RWD trims, but the Land AWD and GT trims raise it to 5,000 lbs (2,267 kg), enough for a small travel trailer or a boat. The Land AWD trim also raises ground clearance to 198 mm, versus 177 mm on the Light RWD, useful on gravel cottage roads.
For families whose towing needs stop at a utility trailer or bike rack, the Sorento PHEV’s 2,000 lbs (907 kg) is plenty. For families planning to tow a camper or watercraft to the cottage, the EV9’s Land AWD or GT trim carries the extra capacity the Sorento PHEV can’t reach.
Charging, Fill-Ups, and Trip Rhythm
The Sorento PHEV charges its battery in 3.8 hours on a 240V Level 2 charger, but a full charge isn’t required for a road trip. Once the 55 km of electric range runs out, its 47 L tank of regular gasoline takes over at any gas station along the way.
The EV9 uses a NACS charging port and can add up to 350 kW on a DC fast charger, cutting a 10-80% top-up to as little as 20 minutes on the Light RWD trim. Home charging on a 240V Level 2 unit runs from 6.75 to 8.75 hours depending on battery size.
Families driving through areas without reliable fast-charging can lean on the Sorento PHEV’s plug-in-and-fill-up flexibility. Families running established highway routes with fast-charging access can fold a 20-minute EV9 top-up into a regular rest stop.
Cabin Comfort for Long Drives
The Sorento PHEV’s cabin runs a 12.3-inch touchscreen alongside a curved digital display, a 6-speaker system as standard, and a full display digital rear-view mirror that helps when the cargo area or back seats block the view. Available heated second-row seats keep kids comfortable on cooler Quebec mornings.
The EV9 pairs dual 12.3-inch screens with a 5-inch climate display, and the Land AWD trim adds a 14-speaker audio system. Higher trims bring a 12-inch head-up display and reclining second-row seats built for longer stretches behind the wheel.
Which One Is Right for You?
If your family drives long routes where charging isn’t guaranteed, or you want the flexibility to top up with regular gasoline anywhere, the Sorento PHEV’s plug-in-and-fill-up setup takes the planning out of a road trip.
If your family tows a trailer, needs the extra third-row cargo depth, or runs routes with dependable fast-charging access, the EV9’s stronger towing capacity and quicker DC charging fit that rhythm better.
Comparing the Sorento PHEV and EV9 in Laval
The Sorento PHEV and EV9 solve the same family road-trip problem in different ways: one through a plug-in hybrid system with a gasoline backup, the other through a dedicated electric platform built for longer hauls and heavier trailers.
Visit Lallier Kia de Laval in Laval to sit in both SUVs, test the second and third rows with your own gear, and find the layout and charging rhythm that fits your next family trip.
To learn more about the 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV, visit Kia.ca
