Kia has officially confirmed that the Sorento will be coming to India, following our earlier report that the brand had unofficially opened bookings for the SUV. Expected to be locally assembled, the Sorento will sit above the Seltos as Kia India’s flagship ICE SUV, and it is also set to become the brand’s first hybrid model for the Indian market. While official specifications are yet to be revealed, spy shots, dealer inputs and details of the global-spec model provide a good idea of what to expect. Here’s everything we know so far.
1. When will the Kia Sorento launch in India?
Expected to debut later this year, with launch likely in October
Kia has unofficially begun accepting pre-bookings for the Sorento through select dealerships for a token amount of Rs 25,000. According to dealer sources, the SUV is expected to launch by October 2026, although Kia is yet to officially confirm the timeline.
2. What will the Kia Sorento look like?
Upright SUV styling with Kia’s familiar design elements
The Sorento features a more upright design than the Seltos, with vertically stacked LED headlamps, slim daytime running lamps, a wide grille and a sculpted bumper. Test mules spotted in India have also revealed chrome window surrounds, black roof rails and dual-tone alloy wheels. At the rear, the SUV gets vertically oriented LED tail-lamps integrated into a clean tailgate design and a roof spoiler.
3. How big is the Kia Sorento?
Larger footprint than the rival premium three-row SUVs
The global-spec Kia Sorento is 4,815mm long, 1,900mm wide and 1,700mm high – longer by 54mm than the Skoda Kodiaq and by 23mm than the Volkswagen Tayron. Its 2,815mm wheelbase is 26mm longer than that of both SUVs.
4. What will the Kia Sorento's interior and features be like?
Premium cabin with three seating layouts expected
Globally, the Kia Sorento is available in 5-, 6- and 7-seat configurations. However, the India-spec model is expected to feature a three-row layout, likely with 6- and 7-seat options.
Based on the global model and Indian test mules, expected features include dual 12.3-inch displays for the infotainment system and instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a powered driver’s seat, a 360-degree camera, a head-up display and Level 2 ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems). Spy shots have also revealed a rotary gear selector and electronic parking brake on the centre console.
5. Which engine will power the Kia Sorento?
Hybrid powertrain expected for India
Internationally, the Sorento gets petrol, diesel and hybrid options, but the India-spec model is expected to pack a strong-hybrid powertrain. Dealer sources suggest it could use a 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol hybrid engine, although final specifications have not been confirmed.
The UK-spec Sorento has a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong-hybrid powertrain with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, producing 238hp and 380Nm. Depending on the market, the Sorento is offered in FWD or AWD configurations globally.
6. How much will the Kia Sorento cost in India?
Expected price is around Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom)
The Kia Sorento is expected to be locally assembled in India and is likely to be priced around Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom).
7. Which SUVs will rival the Kia Sorento?
The Kia Sorento is expected to rival premium three-row SUVs such as the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron.
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