Kia has a new flagship ICE SUV in India in the form of the Sorento. The Korean carmaker has thrown quite a lot at it, offering it with a wide variant line-up with strong-hybrid and diesel powertrains, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, and both 6- and 7-seater configurations. In the executive SUV space, the Sorento finds itself in the company of the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tayron and Jeep Meridian, and uniquely, it’s the only one to come with a strong-hybrid powertrain. If you have your eyes set on the Sorento, here’s everything you need to know about Kia’s three-row SUV.
1. What’s the price range of the Kia Sorento?
Priced between Rs 27.99 lakh and Rs 40.19 lakh (ex-showroom), the Kia Sorento is available in as many as 20 variants. Specifically, the diesel range starts at Rs 27.99 lakh and goes up to Rs 38.69 lakh for the top-spec AWD variant. Meanwhile, the strong-hybrid range is priced from Rs 29.49 lakh to Rs 40.19 lakh (ex-showroom).
On-road prices for the Sorento hybrid range between Rs 37.68 lakh and Rs 51.30 lakh in Delhi, while those of the diesel version are between Rs 35.81 lakh and Rs 49.42 lakh. Do note that on-road prices can vary depending on the city.
2. What powertrains are available with the Kia Sorento?
The Sorento is available with two powertrain options – a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong hybrid and a 2.2-litre diesel engine. In the turbo-petrol strong hybrid version, the combustion engine produces 180hp and 265Nm while an electric motor produces an additional 65hp and 264Nm. Kia, however, has not revealed the battery size or the combined total output for this powertrain. The diesel, meanwhile, produces 193hp and 442Nm. The Sorento is, in fact, just one of two SUVs in this segment to offer a diesel engine, while the strong-hybrid is its novelty.
Both powertrains are offered only with an automatic gearbox – a 6-speed AT for the strong-hybrid and an 8-speed DCT for the diesel. Both also get front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. Kia has not yet revealed specific fuel efficiency figures for either powertrain.
3. How big is the Kia Sorento
The Sorento is the largest SUV in its segment in every parameter, which lends it quite an imposing stance on the road. It also has the longest wheelbase in its class and offers the option of 18-inch and 19-inch alloy wheels, depending on the trim.
4. What are the exterior and interior colour options available on the Sorento?
What community is saying on the Sorento?
The Kia Sorento is offered with eight exterior colour options, including Aurora Black Pearl, Glacier White Pearl, Magma Red, Ivory Silver, Gravity Grey, Imperial Blue, Pewter Olive and Dark Gun Metal. Of these, the Dark Gun Metal colour is offered on the top-spec HTX and HTX(A) trims, while all other options are available across the range.
The interior is finished in one of the two dual-tone colour schemes, depending on the trim. The lower-spec HTE, HTK, HTE(O) and HTK(A) trims get Smoky Black and Grey, whereas the higher-spec HTX and HTX(A) variants are finished in Premium Black and Olive Brown.
5. What are some of the standout features on the Sorento?
Like most Kias, the Sorento is absolutely loaded to the gills, with the India-spec model even debuting some features for the Sorento nameplate globally. There are two 12.3-inch screens for instrumentation and infotainment. The front seats are ventilated, have 10-way power adjustability and offer adjustable lumbar support, and the co-driver’s seat has a boss mode to extend the middle-row space. The middle-row seats can be electronically folded, and the 6-seater version further offers middle-row seat ventilation.
Other features include a 12-speaker Bose sound system, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, a head-up display (HUD) and a powered tailgate. Real-time generative AI is a first for any Sorento available globally. Safety features include 10 airbags, a digital inside rearview mirror (IRVM), a 360-degree camera, auto parking assistance, front and rear dashcams, a tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and Level 2+ advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
6. Which variant of the Kia Sorento should you buy?
With over 20 variants to choose from, the Sorento stretches a very wide price band across both its powertrain options. However, we’d recommend the mid-spec HTK variant as it offers the most for your money. It misses out on the AWD system but packs all the niceties such as the dual 12.3-inch screens, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, a 360-degree camera with blind-spot monitor, 64-colour ambient lighting, 19-inch alloys, leatherette upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, a powered tailgate, ventilated front seats and more.
It does miss out on a digital inside rearview mirror (IRVM), a head-up display (HUD), more electronic adjustment levels for the front seats, ventilated second-row seats and boss mode, but none of these is a dealbreaker. However, if you are on a budget, the one-over-base HTE(O) is the best value-for-money variant, offering a decently equipped feature suite for its price.
Uday Singh
Dipan Sur
Glenn Noronha
