Hyundai Kona Electric vs Kia Sorento
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Track the Hyundai Kona Electric & Kia Sorento
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Hyundai Kona Electric starts from $54,000 before on-road costs, while the Kia Sorento opens at $51,380. That makes the Kia Sorento the more affordable entry point by $2,620.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $59,400 and $56,518 respectively.
The Hyundai Kona Electric qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Kia Sorento, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
The Kia Sorento holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Hyundai Kona Electric. Adult occupant protection scored 80% for the Hyundai Kona Electric and 82% for the Kia Sorento.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Kia Sorento packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 5 in the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Hyundai Kona Electric and 7 in the Kia Sorento.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
64.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Kona Electric features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia Sorento gets a 8-inch display and 4-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Kona Electric stands out with wireless charging, heated front seats and V2L that you will not find on the Kia Sorento. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Kona Electric uses a Electric producing 99kW and 255Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.9 seconds.
The Kia Sorento responds with a Petrol making 200kW and 332Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.
The Kia Sorento has the clear power advantage at 200kW vs 99kW. In the real-world sprint, the Kia Sorento is 1.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Kona Electric measures 4,350mm long on a 2,660mm wheelbase, 465mm shorter than the Kia Sorento at 4,815mm (2,815mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sorento generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric and 179L in the Kia Sorento, giving the Hyundai Kona Electric a 228L advantage. The Kia Sorento seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Kia Sorento leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,300kg. That 700kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 11.2m
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Kona Electric) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Sorento). The Kia Sorento has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Kona Electric if: You need more boot space, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Sorento if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Sorento takes 6 of 8 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the Hyundai Kona Electric has a clear edge. The Kia Sorento adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Sorento?
The Kia Sorento is the cheapest at $51,380 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Kona Electric by $2,620.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Sorento uses the least fuel at 9.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The Kia Sorento has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Kona Electric has the largest boot at 407L.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Sorento has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Sorento has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia Sorento makes the most power at 200kW. The Kia Sorento is quickest to 100km/h in 8s.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
