Kia’s ICE (internal combustion engine) flagship SUV offering in India, the Sorento, is based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s N3 platform. While the Kia SUV is also available with a diesel powertrain, our focus will be on the strong hybrid version for this comparison. As its segment rival, the MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV (plug-in hybrid) is also a three-row SUV, built around the brand’s new ADAPT platform. Let’s take a quick look at how these SUVs compare in terms of their dimensions, powertrain specifications and prices.
Explore full specs, features and a price breakdown in our Kia Sorento hybrid vs MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV comparison.
Kia Sorento hybrid vs MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV: Dimensions
The Sorento has the overall size advantage over the Hector Tomahawk
Neither of these is a small SUV. However, the Kia Sorento hybrid is longer, wider and taller (and has a larger wheelbase) than the MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV. The Sorento hybrid can be had with 19-inch alloy wheels at the top end, while the Hector Tomahawk PHEV only gets 18-inch wheels. However, the MG SUV’s boot can accommodate an additional 13 litres worth of cargo behind its third row of seats.
Kia Sorento hybrid vs MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV: Powertrain
What community is saying on the Hector Tomahawk PHEV?
The MG comes with a plug-in hybrid system compared to the Kia’s strong-hybrid setup
Unlike the Sorento’s strong-hybrid setup, where the battery can only be charged by the internal combustion engine and to a lesser extent by regenerative braking, the battery pack of the Hector Tomahawk PHEV can also be topped up by plugging it into either a DC fast charger or a slower AC charger. The Hector Tomahawk’s plug-in hybrid system allows the car to be driven in pure-electric mode over a distance of over 115km (claimed), with Kia yet to disclose the Sorento hybrid’s EV-only range. Depending on the state of charge (SoC) of its battery pack, the MG SUV can also be driven using different powertrain modes.
In series-hybrid mode, the engine charges the battery while the electric motor drives the wheels. Then there’s the parallel-hybrid mode, where the engine and electric motor both power the driven wheels. Finally, the Hector Tomahawk PHEV can also be driven in engine-only mode with no assistance from the electric motor. The Hector Tomahawk PHEV employs a naturally aspirated petrol engine running the Atkinson cycle, plus a relatively high-capacity battery pack and a single electric motor.
Under the bonnet of the India-spec Kia Sorento hybrid sits a punchier 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with direct injection, developing 180hp and 265Nm. There’s a compact battery pack and an electric motor whose output is rated at 65hp and 264Nm. Kia is yet to specify the combined output of this hybrid powertrain, alongside its mileage and performance figures. The Hector Tomahawk PHEV gets what MG calls a “Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT)”, while the Sorento hybrid is equipped with a conventional 6-speed automatic gearbox (AT). The Kia Sorento hybrid gets Eco, Sport and Smart drive modes, along with Snow, Mud and Sand terrain modes. While the Sorento hybrid is available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, the Hector Tomahawk PHEV is exclusively FWD. Lastly, Kia’s fuel tank can carry an additional 13 litres of petrol.
Kia Sorento hybrid vs MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV: Prices
The pricier Sorento is available in six trims, whereas the MG is limited to just two
Even the base-spec trim of the Kia Sorento hybrid costs Rs 3.79 lakh more than the entry-level MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV. On the higher end of the line-up, the Sorento hybrid with all-wheel drive costs a staggering Rs 12.40 lakh more than the fully loaded Hector Tomahawk PHEV (which is front-wheel drive only). While the Hector Tomahawk PHEV has a 7-seat configuration, the Sorento hybrid is also available in a 6-seat format with individual captain seats in the second row. The Kia also offers more power and has a larger physical footprint. However, if you want the flexibility offered by a plug-in hybrid system and a long list of standard equipment at a lower asking price, then the MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV could be the right three-row mass-market hybrid SUV for you.
Uday Singh
Dipan Sur
Glenn Noronha
