Kia goes after business market with new plug-in Sorento

Kia is predicting that its new Sorento PHEV will prove popular with fleet buyers to the extent that it will flip the usual 60/40 retail/fleet split on its head.

The 10% Benefit-in-Kind rating brought about by the 38g/km CO2 rating and pure-electric range of 35 miles are the key drivers for this.

Even when the BIK brackets rise to 11% for 21/22 and 12% for 22/23 this compares extremely favourably to the 34% rating of the lowest-CO2 hybrid version: the sole diesel Sorento attracts a 37% BiK rating. Although ‘2’ grade is expected to be most popular, more expensive variants still deliver the same CO2 – and dealer-fit options have no effect, either.

The firm is tacitly admitting that the WLTP fuel economy of 176.6mpg isn’t likely to be a guaranteed figure, unless drivers are able to regularly plug it in (a full charge takes around 3.5 hours). “Businesses and drivers will need to calculate their costs on a case-by-case basis,” he said. Retailers will play a key role here.

But there are still advantages for companies as well as drivers, with “excellent” total cost of ownership aided by RVs of 45% after three years and 60,000 miles. That’s 3% higher than the ‘basket competitor average’ says Kia – a basket that includes the premium Audi Q5 TFSIe, Jaguar E-Pace PHEV and Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e. To ensure these RVs are protected, Kia has no plans to sell the Sorento PHEV to rental or short-cycle business. Business contract hire offers start from £385 a month for a three-year, 30,000-mile agreement.