2025 Sorento PHEV weird acceleration noise in hybrid mode — normal?
Hey everyone, I recently bought a 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV and noticed something that doesn’t feel quite right to me.
I recorded two short videos, both in hybrid mode. In both cases, whenever I accelerate — even very lightly — there’s a noticeable loud/revvy noise from the engine. It’s hard to describe, but the closest comparison I can think of is driving a manual car where the clutch isn’t fully engaged, so the engine feels a bit strained and noisy under light acceleration.
What’s confusing is that this also happens at low speed in normal driving (like turning into a street in the second video), not just during harder acceleration or at higher speeds.
In EV mode the car is super smooth and quiet, so the jump in noise when the engine comes in is very noticeable.
Has anyone with the Sorento PHEV experienced this? Is this normal hybrid behavior or something worth getting Kia to check?