The new Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento are getting an exciting upgrade! Rumor has it that a new plug-in hybrid system is in the works, which could give the vehicles up to 62 miles of electric range. The insiders at the companies say the new system will be ready by 2025, starting with the Grandeur sedan before moving on to the SUVs.
While we don’t have many specifics yet, we’re told that the system could provide up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) of all-electric driving. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these innovative cars!
Once these cool cars reach the US, the EPA estimates will likely be more conservative. If Hyundai and Kia can give us about 62 miles of electric power, we’ll be good for short trips without even touching the gas!
The gas engine will only come in handy for long trips. These SUVs will need bigger batteries, but they won’t be as bulky as the ones in a regular car. Take the Hyundai Ioniq 5, for example – it’s smaller than the current-gen Santa Fe Hybrid, but it still weighs a hefty 4,663 pounds with AWD!
Finally, the Santa Fe and Sorento PHEVs are powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, along with some electric juice, and produce a combined output of 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
The Santa Fe has an impressive EPA-estimated all-electric range of 32 miles while the Sorento isn’t far behind with a range of 30 miles. But wait, there’s more! By 2025, the second-generation system will double the electric range, making these new models not only more efficient but also cheaper to run.
While you may have to wait a few years to get your hands on the latest system, the current models are still a force to be reckoned with. Choose between the turbo hybrid 1.6-liter engine or the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine on the Santa Fe and keep your eyes peeled for a new and improved Sorento by 2025/2026 with an impressive electric-only range.
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