Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid or similar | Automatic | 4×4

_{^{Last updated: June 2026 | Reviewed by the Hertz Iceland Fleet Team}}

The Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is a large automatic AWD SUV with a class-leading 898-litre boot — the most practical choice in the Hertz Iceland PHEV fleet for families and groups needing serious luggage space. F-road permitted (summer only), year-round capable, rented on an “or similar” basis. Minimum age 23. Charging cable not included — add at booking via hertz.is.

Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid Rental Iceland: Large AWD PHEV SUV Guide

The Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is the largest and most practically spacious PHEV in the Hertz Iceland fleet. Where the Tucson PHEV suits couples and small families, the Sorento is built for groups who need more — more boot space, more cabin room, more AWD confidence — without stepping into the luxury price tier.

At 4,810mm long with a 898-litre boot in its 5-seat configuration, the Sorento carries four people and their full Iceland luggage without compromise. Combined with F-road access, standard AWD with a centre locking differential, and a 265 PS petrol-electric drivetrain, it’s a genuinely versatile vehicle for both Ring Road comfort and summer Highland routes.

⚠️ Important: The charging cable is not included as standard. Add it during booking at hertz.is. Without the cable, the Sorento operates as a fully capable petrol AWD — the hybrid system still optimises fuel efficiency automatically.

Is the Kia Sorento PHEV Good for Driving in Iceland?

Yes — it’s the most practical large AWD PHEV for groups and families in the Hertz Iceland fleet, capable year-round on main roads and F-roads in summer.

• Real-World Space: At 898 litres of boot space in the 5-seat configuration, the Sorento comfortably fits 4 large hard-shell suitcases with room for additional soft bags. For families travelling with full luggage for 5–7 days, this is genuinely stress-free packing — no compromises, no squeezing.
• F-Road Capability: Active AWD with a centre locking differential and dedicated Snow/Terrain mode handles Iceland’s highland F-roads with confidence. Permitted on F-roads and Highland tracks in summer — check road.is and verify your vehicle’s eligibility at safe.hertz.is/f-road-guide before entering.
• Performance: 265 PS combined output, 350 Nm torque, 0–100 km/h in approximately 8.7–9.1 seconds. Strong enough for Iceland’s highland ascents and main road overtaking without strain.
• EV Range: WLTP-rated 57 km, real-world approximately 48 km. Cold weather performance is consistent with other PHEVs in the fleet — the petrol engine manages cabin heating, preserving battery range. Without the charging cable, the hybrid system still improves fuel efficiency automatically.
• Cabin Comfort: Heated front seats, climate control, 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation, and a smooth 6-speed automatic transmission make long Iceland driving days comfortable. The Sorento’s HVAC system performs well in most conditions — note that in extreme blizzard conditions, cabin warm-up may take slightly longer than in larger combustion SUVs.
• Safety: 5-star Euro NCAP rating, scoring 82% adult occupant protection, 85% child occupant, 87% Safety Assist. Standard Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Highway Driving Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert across all PHEV trims. For a full overview of driving safely in Iceland, see safe.hertz.is.

When Is the Kia Sorento PHEV the Right Choice?

• Summer (June–August): Full capability — F-roads open, EV range maximised in mild temperatures, Ring Road and Highland routes all accessible with 898L of luggage space to match.
• Winter (October–April): Excellent on main roads. AWD with centre locking differential and winter tyres delivers strong performance in snow and ice. F-roads are closed in winter. Check safe.hertz.is for winter driving guidance before your trip.
• Year-Round for paved/gravel routes: The Sorento earns a genuine year-round recommendation without qualification on Iceland’s main road network.

The Sorento is built for families and groups who need the most boot space in the PHEV category, highland travellers wanting F-road access with PHEV efficiency, and couples or pairs who want the most practical luggage capacity at this price tier without upgrading to the luxury fleet.

⚠️ Not ideal if:

• You want fast charging on the go — the Sorento is AC-only at 3.3 kW (the slowest charger in the PHEV fleet). Best suited to overnight hotel charging, not roadside top-ups.
• You need a guaranteed specific model — booked “or similar.” For a guaranteed large AWD vehicle, see the [[Link to Toyota Land Cruiser 250]] or [[Link to Land Rover Defender 130]].
• You’re travelling as 2 people with light luggage — the Tucson PHEV or BMW X3 PHEV offers similar capability in a more compact, efficient package.

Rental Requirements & Restrictions

• Minimum Age: 23 years old.
• License: Valid driving license held for a minimum of 1 year. IDP required if license is not in Roman script.
• Payment: Valid credit card under main renter’s name required.
• Charging Cable: Not included as standard — add at booking via hertz.is.
• F-Road Policy: Permitted (summer only). Check road.is for road status and safe.hertz.is/f-road-guide for vehicle eligibility before entering Highland are

Inside the Kia Sorento PHEV

The Sorento’s cabin is the largest and most room-forward in the Hertz Iceland PHEV fleet. Step inside and the difference from the Tucson is immediately clear — more shoulder room, more rear legroom, and a sense that five adults have been genuinely considered rather than technically accommodated.

The 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation and matching digital driver’s cluster sit naturally in a dashboard that feels contemporary without being overly minimalist. Heated front seats warm up quickly in Iceland’s cold mornings, climate control maintains cabin temperature efficiently on long driving days, and the 6-speed automatic transmission stays smooth whether you’re navigating Reykjavík traffic or holding a steady pace on the Ring Road north of Akureyri.

At highway speed the Sorento runs quietly — EV mode at lower speeds is near-silent, and the petrol engine transitions in unobtrusively when additional power is needed. On gravel and highland approaches, the raised seating position and commanding view of the road ahead give the driver confidence that the vehicle’s AWD system backs up.

The boot is where the Sorento makes its clearest case. At 898 litres with the seats in use, loading four people’s full Iceland luggage — hard-shell suitcases, hiking boots, camera bags, rain gear — doesn’t require any packing strategy or seat reconfiguration. You open the tailgate, load everything in, and close it. For families who’ve rented smaller vehicles on previous Iceland trips and spent the first day rearranging bags, this is a genuinely different experience.

Kia Sorento Dimensions, Seating and Luggage For Your Trip

The Sorento’s 898-litre boot is class-leading for a PHEV in the Hertz Iceland fleet — comfortably fitting 4 large hard-shell suitcases with all five seats occupied. For groups combining photography equipment, hiking gear, or camping supplies with standard luggage, the flat load floor and wide tailgate opening make loading and unloading at trailheads genuinely convenient.

Why Rent a Kia Sorento PHEV in Iceland with Hertz Iceland?

• Choosing Hertz Iceland means renting from a locally owned operator with over 50 years of experience, operating in Iceland since 1971. We have been recognised as Iceland’s Leading Car Rental Company at the World Travel Awards in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2025 — and are proud to be nominated again in 2026.
• Or Similar Guarantee: The Sorento PHEV is rented by category — if unavailable, you’ll receive a comparable large automatic AWD PHEV. Never downgraded in class or luggage capacity.
• Under 2 Years Old: Every Sorento in our fleet is under two years old — current spec, low mileage, well-maintained.
• Safety First: 5-star Euro NCAP rated, equipped with season-appropriate tyres, and backed by 24/7 emergency phone assistance across Iceland. For pre-trip safety planning, visit safe.hertz.is.
• Convenience: Available across all 11 Hertz Iceland locations, with direct pickup at KEF Airport Arrival Hall.

History of Kia

Kia was founded in South Korea in 1944, initially manufacturing bicycle parts and steel tubing before transitioning to vehicles in the 1950s. After a period of producing vehicles under licence from Mazda and Peugeot, Kia developed its own engineering platform and began exporting internationally in the 1980s. Following a restructuring in 1998, Kia became part of the Hyundai Motor Group — the same group behind the Tucson PHEV also in our fleet — sharing engineering platforms while maintaining a distinct brand identity focused on practical design and long-term reliability.

The Sorento has been produced since 2002 and has grown with each generation into one of Europe’s most respected family SUVs. The PHEV variant, introduced in the fourth generation, brought plug-in hybrid efficiency to a vehicle class that had previously required full combustion engines to deliver this level of space and AWD capability. Kia’s 7-year / 150,000 km European warranty — among the longest in the industry — reflects the confidence behind the engineering.

Renting a Kia Sorento PHEV with Hertz Iceland means choosing a vehicle built for long-distance family travel, now with the efficiency of a plug-in hybrid and the traction to reach places smaller SUVs cannot.

Kia Sorento PHEV vs Hyundai Tucson PHEV: Which Fits Your Iceland Trip?

Rental Locations

The Kia Sorento PHEV is available across all 11 Hertz Iceland locations:

What’s Included in Your Rental

• 24/7 emergency phone support across Iceland
• Unlimited mileage
• Free cancellation up to 16 days before pickup
• Basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
• Third-party liability coverage
• VAT and local taxes
• Season-appropriate tyres (winter tyres in winter, summer tyres in warmer months)

⚠️ Charging cable not included as standard — add during booking at hertz.is. Without the cable, the vehicle operates as a petrol AWD.

Best Road Trips with Hybrid plug-in Kia Sorento 4×4

Kia Sorento Hybrid plug-in Car Rental FAQ

• • Can I drive the Kia Sorento PHEV on F-roads?
    Yes — in summer only. The Sorento PHEV is permitted on F-roads and Highland tracks when conditions are safe and roads are officially open. Always check road.is for current road status and safe.hertz.is/f-road-guide to confirm this vehicle’s eligibility before entering Highland areas.

• • Is the charging cable included with the Sorento PHEV rental?
    No. The charging cable must be added separately during booking at hertz.is. Note that the Sorento’s onboard charger is 3.3 kW — a full charge from empty takes approximately 3 hours 25 minutes, making it best suited to overnight hotel charging rather than roadside top-ups. Without the cable, the vehicle operates as a fully capable petrol AWD with automatic hybrid fuel-saving.

• • How much luggage fits in the Kia Sorento PHEV?
    In its 5-seat configuration, the Sorento boot holds 898 litres with all seats in use — fitting 4 large hard-shell suitcases comfortably. This is the largest boot capacity in the Hertz Iceland PHEV fleet, and the flat load floor makes loading straightforward at trailheads and campsites.

• • Kia Sorento PHEV vs Hyundai Tucson PHEV — which is better for Iceland?
    Both are automatic AWD PHEVs permitted on F-roads with similar power output and EV range. The key differences: the Sorento has a significantly larger boot (898L vs 558L), fitting 4 large suitcases vs the Tucson’s 3 — better for families and groups. The Tucson charges faster (7.2 kW vs 3.3 kW), is more compact, and suits couples or smaller families. Choose the Sorento for maximum luggage capacity; choose the Tucson for faster overnight charging and a more compact footprint.

• • Is the Kia Sorento PHEV good for winter driving in Iceland?
    Yes. The Sorento AWD with winter tyres and Snow/Terrain drive mode is a confident year-round choice for Iceland’s main roads. Its AWD centre locking differential provides strong traction in snow and ice. Note that in extreme blizzard conditions, cabin warm-up may take slightly longer than in a large combustion SUV. F-roads are closed in winter. See safe.hertz.is for Iceland winter driving guidance.

• • Where can I find driving safety information for Iceland?
    Hertz Iceland operates safe.hertz.is — a dedicated driving safety hub covering winter driving, F-road guidance, road conditions, and emergency contacts. It’s available to all travellers in Iceland, not just Hertz customers.

• • Does Hertz Iceland offer Roadside Assistance?

    Yes. Roadside Assistance can be added at the rental desk upon pick-up (not bookable online). It costs 1,990 ISK/day as a stand-alone option, or 990 ISK/day when combined with Max Cover.

    If you require assistance on the road, pay the third-party service provider directly on-site and keep your itemized receipt. Upon returning your vehicle, present the receipt to our team, and Hertz Iceland will refund the covered eligible amount back to your card on file. Emergency line: +354 858 0499 (24/7).