With the launch of the Sorento, Kia India has forayed into the premium three-row SUV segment. It sits on Kia’s N3 platform and sits above the Seltos in the brand’s portfolio in India. In this article, we compare the Sorento’s on-paper specifications and price against rivals including the Jeep Meridian, Volkswagen Tayron, and the Skoda Kodiaq.
Kia Sorento vs rivals: Dimensions
Sorento’s dimensions are the highest in its class
Kia Sorento vs rivals: Powertrain options | ||||
Kia Sorento | Volkswagen Tayron | Skoda Kodiaq | Jeep Meridian | |
Length (mm) | 4,815 | 4,792 | 4,758 | 4,769 |
Width (mm) | 1,900 | 1,866 | 1,864 | 1,859 |
Height (mm) | 1,785 | 1,665 | 1,679 | 1,698 |
Wheelbase (mm) | 2,815 | 2,789 | 2,791 | 2,782 |
Ground clearance (mm) | TBC | TBC | 192 | 214 |
Wheel size (inch) | 18-19 | 19 | 18 | 18 |
Height (mm) | 1,785 | 1,665 | 1,679 | 1,698 |
By a fair margin, the Kia Sorento is the largest SUV in its class in every dimension. Additionally, it's the only SUV here to come with both 18 and 19-inch wheels; the Tayron comes with 19-inch wheels as standard, but the Kodiaq and Meridian come with smaller 18-inch rims.
Kia Sorento vs rivals: Powertrain options
Only the Sorento gets petrol and diesel engines
Kia Sorento vs rivals: Powertrain options | ||||
Kia Sorento | Volkswagen Tayron | Skoda Kodiaq | Jeep Meridian | |
Engine | 1.6 strong-hybrid | 2.2 turbo-diesel | 2.0 turbo-petrol | 2.0 turbo-petrol | 2.0 turbo-diesel |
Engine power (hp) | 180 | 193 | 204 | 204 | 170 |
Torque (Nm) | 265 | 442 | 320 | 320 | 350 |
E-motor power (hp)* | 65 | - | - | - |
E-motor torque (Nm)* | 264 | - | - | - |
Transmission | 6AT | 8DCT | 7DCT | 7DCT | 6MT / 9AT |
Drive layout | FWD/AWD | FWD/AWD | AWD | AWD | FWD / 4WD |
*E-motor exclusive to Sorento strong-hybrid
The Kia Sorento is the only SUV in the segment to offer a strong-hybrid petrol engine alongside a diesel engine. On the other hand, the rest of the models here are powered by either a petrol or a diesel engine. Secondly, depending on the variant, the Sorento gets either an FWD or an AWD layout; the Kodiaq and Tayron get AWD as standard, and the Meridian offers a segment-only 4WD layout apart from an FWD option.
Comparing petrol-powered models, the Sorento, Kodiaq, and the Tayron utilise a direct-injection turbo-petrol mill. But only the Sorento’s unit is paired with a strong-hybrid system here. Until Kia confirms the combined power output figures of the Sorento hybrid, it's the Kodiaq and Tayron with the highest power output, and they're both powered by the same engine.
Taking diesel power into consideration, the Sorento’s slightly larger unit delivers much higher output figures in comparison to the Meridian. Meanwhile, the Meridian is the only SUV here to offer a manual gearbox, while the rest of the SUVs here come solely with an automatic gearbox.
Kia Sorento vs rivals: Prices
Sorento is the second most affordable in its class
Kia Sorento vs rivals: Prices | ||||
Kia Sorento | Volkswagen Tayron | Skoda Kodiaq | Jeep Meridian | |
Price (Rs Lakh) | 27.99 - 40.39 | 41.99 - 47.74 | 36.99 - 46.99 | 23.33-37.92 |
The Sorento’s Rs 27.99 lakh starting price makes it the second most affordable SUV after the Jeep Meridian. Like the Meridian, the Sorento is heavily localised, helping its price range be on par with rivals here. On the other hand, the CKD-built Kodiaq and Tayron begin at a higher price point, with the latter’s top-end variant being the most expensive here.
Notably, a core difference between the SUVs is the seating configurations on offer. Depending on the variant chosen, the Meridian, Kodiaq, and Tayron come with either a 5- or a 7-seat configuration. But the Sorento gets a 7-and 6-seater configuration, with segment-only captain chairs for the latter option.
All prices are ex-showroom, India