Autocar India
•6w

Is the Sorento Hybrid coming to India in 2026?

Verified
•6w

Yes, the Kia Sorento Hybrid is slated for an India launch in August-September 2026, and Kia is clearly positioning it as a premium three-row SUV.

This Kia car comes with a 1.6‑litre turbo-petrol engine paired with an electric motor, with the system developing around 227 hp and over 350 Nm, driving through a 6‑speed automatic gearbox. Globally, it’s offered in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations, and that mix is likely to be mirrored for India as well.

It’s a properly spacious seven-seat SUV, roughly 4.8 m long and 1.9 m wide, so think bigger than a Kia Carens and right in the zone of the Skoda Kodiaq and Toyota Fortuner in terms of footprint and cabin room. Expect a flexible three-row layout, generous boot space with the third row down, and the usual load of Kia kit - panoramic sunroof, ADAS, large screens, and connected-car features.

Price-wise, the Sorento Hybrid is expected to sit in the Rs 35-40 lakh (ex-showroom) band, and it will naturally tug buyers both up from something like a Mahindra XUV 7XO and away from the Skoda Kodiaq–Fortuner crowd.

Kia Sorento

Kia Sorento

Explore cars mentioned

Kia Sorento

Kia

Sorento

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda

Kodiaq

from ₹44.21 Lakh

Toyota Fortuner

Toyota

Fortuner

from ₹41.54 Lakh

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹16.12 Lakh

•14m

Is this still on track by August? I m in Delhi NCR needed a petrol 4x4/awd SUV and sadly there no options for 30l budget.

•6w

Will Kia Sorento compete with XUV 7XO or Toyota Fortuner or Innova Hycross?

Curated collections

More questions on similar cars

•3d

We have a budget of Rs. 60 lakh and require an SUV or sedan. We prioritise rear-seat comfort and a powerful engine. We do not want an electric vehicle and are not looking for entry-level luxury cars like the BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz GLA. We are considering the Toyota Camry or waiting for the new Hyundai Santa Fe or Tucson. Our current vehicle is a Hyundai Tucson diesel 4x4, which we enjoyed for its soft suspension, rear-seat comfort, and 186bhp engine. We are looking for a new car, not a used one. Please help us out, Autocar. We live in Patna and recently bought a Hyundai Aura for our son to learn to drive. It does not seem to have a problem with the roads here, so we are considering buying a Camry or waiting. Is there any other car you would suggest?

Verified
•1d

Buy the Toyota Camry. Its rear seat is genuinely lounge-like with a power recline function, the ride is soft, and the cabin is quiet. The petrol strong hybrid powertrain is one of the best around, feels refined and effortless in the city, and has enough power on the highway. You get the smoothness and efficiency of an EV without the stress of having to charge it. And Toyota's low running costs and excellent service quality will give you peace of mind too.It does not feel particularly thrilling to drive, and it is a sedan, so speed breakers or steep ramps need more care than an SUV. If you do want an SUV stance and a punchier engine, the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron are good upgrades from your Tucson. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is eager, and it cruises beautifully, and the ride is exceptional too. It's just that, being a turbo petrol in a large SUV, these two are not very fuel efficient.Sadly, there are no plans for Hyundai to bring in a new Tucson or Santa Fe. Kia, however, is looking at bringing in the Sorento, the Santa Fe's counterpart from its portfolio, later this year or early next year, possibly with hybrid power. If you aren't in a hurry, that might be worth waiting for.

VehicleToyota Camry
VehicleSkoda Kodiaq
VehicleVolkswagen Tayron
VehicleKia Sorento
•1d

Dear Autocar experts, I have tentatively decided to buy the Mahindra XUV 7X0 petrol AX7L AT as my next ride. To be frank, it is out of a lack of choice and options that I have made this decision in my head. In terms of capability, it is a downgrade, as I'm moving on from my beautiful Ford Endeavour 3.2 Titanium AT. Of course, it has a long list of bells and whistles that will be all new (and strange) to me. Being based in Delhi NCR, I am reluctant to go for a diesel again at this time. My driving in the city is quite minimal, say about 15kms max per day on average, but always in the clutches of peak Delhi traffic. I am terrified of BSVI diesel DPF horror stories. I am hoping that the 7X0 will be able to negotiate hills, mountain terrains and roads satisfactorily, as I make these trips quite frequently. I plan to keep this car for the next 4-5 years till India sorts out its fuel preferences and diktats, and fresh options are introduced that combine clean energy and performance along with the infrastructure to support them. Is my thought process sound? If not, please poke as many holes in it as you can.

Verified
•9h

Your plan seems sound for Delhi-NCR, because petrol dodges the 10-year diesel cap and DPF hassles, and your 15 km daily crawl will not punish petrol the way it would a BS6 diesel. The XUV 7XO petrol AT has strong performance and will certainly keep you satisfied while negotiating hill climbs. Sure, coming from an Endeavour 3.2, this will feel like a step down in terms of road presence and off-road ability. However, despite being a front-wheel drive monocoque, it still exudes an underlying toughness, which gives you ample confidence while dealing with rough terrain. Additionally, the tech and safety are up-to-date, and the three-row flexibility will come in handy, too, although boot space with all three rows in place is low. On the flipside, this petrol-AT is thirsty, so expect single-digit city fuel economy figures.If you aren't in a hurry, consider waiting for the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV that JSW is expected to launch in the latter half of this year. Sure, it'll be more expensive than the Mahindra, and it might not have the off-road capability of your outgoing Endeavour, but since you aren't fully convinced of the Mahindra, this could be worthy of your consideration.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleJSW Motors Jetour T2
•22h

Need buying advice - XUV 7XO, Seltos, Harrier or Safari? Hello Everyone, I’m planning to replace my 2021 Maruti Suzuki Brezza (clocked 50000 km) and would love some guidance. My usage: Location: Chembur, Mumbai Office commute (3 days/week): -50 km round trip (Chembur-Airoli) Approx. monthly running: 1,000-1,200 km Regular weekend drives around Mumbai/Lonavala/Alibaug, with 8-12 outstation trips a year and 1-2 native (Konkan) trips annually. Family of 3, with parents and in-laws joining us on majority of trips. I also have a left knee ligament issue, so an automatic transmission is a must. I’ve test-driven the Kia Seltos Diesel AT, Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel AT, and Tata Safari AT (only petrol was available for the test drive). I’m currently confused between the Seltos, XUV 7XO, Harrier and Safari. One additional challenge is that my apartment has a mechanical puzzle parking system. The parking platform is quite tight, although there is a 5.5 m driveway opposite the parking slot to help with maneuvering. So overall dimensions and ease of parking are also important. My priorities are: Reliability (8-10 years) Comfortable suspension Rear seat comfort Strong highway performance Good service support Easy city drivability Which one would you recommend based on my usage? Are there any ownership experiences, reliability concerns, or other SUVs in the 25-30 lakh budget that I should seriously consider? Thanks in advance!

Verified
•10h

Your usage is almost tailor-made for a modern diesel. At 1,000-1,200km a month with frequent highway drives, weekend trips and annual drives to the Konkan, you'll comfortably justify the diesel and shouldn't have to worry about DPF-related issues. The Kia Seltos Diesel Automatic also strikes the best balance for your requirements. It is the easiest of the four to drive and park in Mumbai, which is particularly important given your apartment's tight puzzle parking. It has a refined and efficient diesel engine, a smooth automatic gearbox, a comfortable ride, a premium cabin and one of the strongest service networks in the segment. It should also prove to be a dependable long-term ownership proposition.The Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel Automatic is a close second. It offers more space, a more powerful engine and feels like a bigger, more substantial SUV. It is also the more accomplished overall product when compared to the Harrier and Safari, offering a better balance of performance, features, technology and overall package. The only drawback is that it is physically larger than the Seltos, which may become a hassle in your parking situation and while navigating Mumbai's streets.The Harrier and Safari are excellent highway cruisers with comfortable ride quality and spacious cabins. However, they are considerably larger than the Seltos, and when compared with the XUV 7XO, the Mahindra is the more complete package overall. Unless you specifically need the Safari's third row, we don't see a compelling reason to choose either Tata over the Mahindra.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleTata Harrier
VehicleTata Safari

View all Posts

New car launches to explore

View all

Popular discussions right now

•6d

I am looking for a diesel automatic car for long-distance driving. My daily running is around 230 km, so I need something with good highway stability, reliability, and a proven track record. Kindly suggest which car would be the best fit for my requirements.

Verified
•4d

With a daily running of around 230km, a diesel automatic makes perfect sense and will be the most cost-effective option in the long run.Our recommendation would be the Kia Seltos Diesel Automatic. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is refined, fuel-efficient and well proven, while the automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to live with. It is also stable at highway speeds, comfortable over long distances and has built up a strong reliability record over the years. Given the distances you cover, the diesel's efficiency advantage will quickly offset its higher purchase price.Another option worth considering is the Tata Sierra Diesel Automatic. It offers more space and road presence and should be an excellent long-distance cruiser. However, the Seltos' powertrain is more proven, and it remains the safer recommendation today.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleTata Sierra
•1w

I am very confused about buying my first car because of the petrol fiasco. I am leaning towards diesel. I'll have a monthly 600km trip. Plus city driving of 400km a month. The budget is around 13-14 lakh. Which automatic would be the best

Verified
•4d

Consider the Kia Sonet HTK Plus diesel automatic. It fits within your budget and gets a refined diesel engine paired with a smooth-shifting 6-speed torque-converter automatic. It also feels stable on highway trips and has enough performance for quick overtakes when needed.The downside is that the ride can feel a bit firm in the city, and rear-seat space is not the best in the segment. If that is a concern, then also try the Hyundai Venue diesel automatic, which offers a slightly roomier rear seat and a more pliant ride.Overall, if your priorities are fuel efficiency, highway ability and the convenience of a proper automatic, the Sonet diesel AT is a strong fit.

VehicleKia Sonet
VehicleHyundai Venue
•1w

I have been using a Hyundai Creta Diesel since 2017 and have driven it for almost 2 lakh km. I am now planning to upgrade my vehicle. Would the Mahindra XUV 7X0 base diesel variant be a good choice for my requirements?

Verified
•5d

Yes, the XUV 7XO base diesel is a solid upgrade from your 2017 Creta if you do long highway runs. The 2.2 diesel pulls stronger, sits at cruise with less effort, and the bigger, heavier Mahindra car feels more settled at speed and over broken roads. You also get a roomier cabin and boot, which helps on long trips with family and luggage.Be ready for a few compromises. It is a big SUV, so parking in tight city spots takes getting used to, and the diesel manual’s clutch can feel heavier than your Creta’s in traffic. Expect slightly lower kpl than your old 1.6 diesel.Overall, the XUV 7XO AX is a strong choice.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleHyundai Creta

View all Posts

Posted on: 13 May 2026