Next Hyundai Santa Fe And Kia Sorento PHEVs May Double Electric Range

The new Hyundai Santa Fe PHEVand its corporate cousin, the Kia Sorento PHEV, will reportedly receive a second-generation plug-in hybrid system, which allegedly provides up to 62 miles of all-electric range, reports Korea's ETNews.

Company insiders claim the new electrified system is still in development and will be ready in 2025. It will first be introduced on the Grandeur luxury sedan (which shares its platform with the SUVs) and then be implemented on the Santa Fe and Sorento. Of course, we have to remember this is speculation until confirmed by the manufacturer.

Sadly, the publication hasn't shared additional details on the new PHEV system but claims it will be able to deliver an all-electric range of 100 kilometers (62 miles).

While that's impressive, we must remember that South Korea uses WLTP testing standards. When these vehicles reach the United States, EPA estimates will likely show a more conservative figure.

These PHEVs will serve as the perfect stepping stone to pure electric vehicles. If Hyundai and Kia can produce a plug-in hybrid system that delivers around 62 miles of range, most consumers could complete local trips or everyday commutes on electric power alone. The polluting gasoline engine would only be required for longer trips.

However, the Santa Fe and Sorento would likely require even bigger batteries. Still, these won't be as large or heavy as the pack found in a conventional car. To put it into perspective, a top-of-the-line Hyundai Ioniq 5 with AWD weighs 4,663 pounds despite being smaller than the 4,078-lb current-gen Santa Fe Hybrid.

The current Sorento and Santa Fe PHEV models are powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine that, together with electrical assistance, produces combined outputs of 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The former has an EPA-estimated all-electric range of 32 miles, while the latter is rated at 30 miles. While decent and more than enough for most needs, the second-generation system would double the electric range. This would make the new models more efficient and cheaper to run.

As mentioned, we must wait until 2025 for this system to arrive. If you're eager to get your hands on the current latest Santa Fe, that means you'll have to choose between a turbo hybrid 1.6-liter engine with 178 hp and 196 lb-ft or a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft.

As for the Sorento, we would be surprised if this system debuts on the current model. Kia just showcased a facelift of the existing model, so we can expect a new model to arrive by 2025/2026, also with impressive electric-only range.