[missingcurlybracket]

Couple reasons I think:

1. Kia hasn't put the effort into a more intelligent maintenance minder like Honda (for example, which takes mileage, time, engine use, etc. into account for it's recommendation) and it's easy to just assume gas-hybrid mode operation and that means 8,000 miles. That's not inherently a bad thing, but it does seem hokey.

2. Engine oil also degrades with time in an engine. A lot of recommendations say X miles or Y months, whichever comes first. If there was no warranty to worry about, I'd say I'd target once annually for a very low mileage vehicle but some older 2.0T Kia's recommend 3,000 miles or every three months in the "severe" maintenance schedule.

3. PHEV duty can be tough on an engine too, it usually stays on until it warms up once it's turned on but it also pops on and goes straight to work if you're descending a hill with a full battery (engine braking) or suddenly hitting the highway on-ramp and switch from EV mode to hybrid for extra power.

(emphasis on running until operating temperature is reached, like a usual hybrid or stop/start equipped vehicle.)

Despite a PHEV bringing the best of both the gas and electric worlds, it sadly also means the worst of both worlds.

 

[missingcurlybracket]

Do it by the book through the powertrain warranty, but you can DIY or go elsewhere for oil changes to save as long as you have documentation.

 

[missingcurlybracket]

Severe..........not likely. Garaged car in South Florida so hardly severe as well as low mileage trips at city speeds over good roads mostly on EV mode

Double check the manual as many conditions sneakily fall under “severe” like trips under 5? miles, stop-and-go traffic, temperatures above 90-something F, etc.