The Kia Sorento SUV has launched with prices starting at Rs 27.99 lakh and going up to Rs 40.19 lakh (introductory, ex-showroom). It is now the brand’s flagship ICE SUV in India, offered in six trims: HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK(A), HTX and HTX(A), as well as a ‘Black Line’ styling pack. The Sorento is available with strong hybrid and diesel powertrain options, the former a first for any Kia model in India. So, which variant should you choose? Let us find out.
Kia Sorento powertrain options and prices
1.6L turbo-petrol strong hybrid and 2.2L diesel options available; higher variants get AWD
In the variants with the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong hybrid powertrain, the engine produces 180hp and 265Nm and the electric motor makes 65hp and 264Nm. However, Kia is yet to reveal the total output. This powertrain comes with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic transmission (AT). The diesel variants get a 2.2-litre engine that produces 193hp and 442Nm and is mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT).
The Sorento’s higher-spec HTX and HTX(A) trims feature an all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup, while the other trims are offered with a front-wheel-drive (FWD) layout.
Here are the introductory variant-wise prices of the Kia Sorento (ex-showroom):
Kia is also offering the HTK(A), HTX and HTX(A) with an optional ‘Black Line’ styling pack, and as the name suggests, it adds certain blacked-out design elements, including black badges, black alloy rims and black fender garnish.
Kia Sorento colour options
Eight exterior shades and two dual-tone cabin themes
The Kia Sorento comes in eight exterior colour options: Aurora Black Pearl, Glacier White Pearl, Magma Red, Ivory Silver, Gravity Grey, Imperial Blue, Pewter Olive and Dark Gun Metal. Of these, Dark Gun Metal is exclusive to the HTX and HTX(A) trims, while all other options are available with all trims.
Coming to the cabin, there are two themes: Premium Black and Olive Brown for the higher-spec HTX and HTX(A) trims, and Smoky Black and Grey for the rest.
Kia Sorento variant-wise features
HTE
Price: Rs 27.99 lakh to Rs 29.49 lakh (7-seater only)
Powertrain: 1.6L turbo-petrol strong hybrid 6AT, 2.2L diesel 8DCT (both FWD only)
- 4.2-inch coloured TFT multi-information display on instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- 6 speakers
- Dual-zone climate control with dedicated second- and third-row vents
- 10-way powered driver’s seat
- Manually adjustable co-driver’s seat
- Wireless phone charger
- Rear parking camera with dynamic guidelines
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Cruise control
- Paddleshifters (strong hybrid variants only)
- Auto LED headlights
- LED daytime running lamps (DRLs) with integrated turn indicators
- Halogen tail-lights
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Bridge-type roof rails
- Powered outside rearview mirrors (ORVMs) with integrated turn indicators
- Roof-mounted spoiler with an integrated rear wiper and washer
- Shark-fin antenna
- Satin-chrome garnish on front fender
- Front and rear faux skid plates
- Black and grey dual-tone cabin theme
- Leatherette seat upholstery
- Tilt, telescopic adjustable leatherette-wrapped steering wheel with audio control buttons
- Leatherette materials on gear lever
- Drive modes: Eco, Sport, Smart, Normal (Normal only offered with diesel variants)
- Illuminated vanity mirrors
- Virtual engine sounds (strong hybrid variants only)
- Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror (IRVM)
- Rear defogger
- 7 airbags
- Tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
- One-touch up/down for all windows
HTE(O)
Price: Rs 29.49 lakh to Rs 30.99 lakh (7-seater only)
Powertrain: 1.6L turbo-petrol strong hybrid 6AT, 2.2L diesel 8DCT (both FWD only)
- Panoramic sunroof
- Powered tailgate
- 8-way powered co-driver’s seat
- Ventilated front seats
HTK
Price: Rs 32.49 lakh to Rs 34.19 lakh (both 6- and 7-seater)
Powertrain: 1.6L turbo-petrol strong hybrid 6AT, 2.2L diesel 8DCT (both FWD only)
- 12.3-inch infotainment system
- Connected car tech (with OTA updates)
- 12-speaker Bose sound system
- 360-degree camera with blind-spot monitor
- Side parking sensors
- Paddleshifters on both strong hybrid and diesel variants
- 64-colour ambient lighting
- Projector LED headlights
- LED tail-lights
- Satin-chrome finish on front and rear faux skid plates
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Leatherette materials on the door
- Door sill guard with ‘Sorento’ engraving
- Alloy finish on pedals
- Captain seats in the middle row with slide, recline, remote folding & walk-in functions (6-seater variants only)
HTK(A)
Price: Rs 33.49 lakh to Rs 34.99 lakh (both 6- and 7-seater)
Powertrain: 1.6L turbo-petrol strong hybrid 6AT, 2.2L diesel 8DCT (both FWD only)
- Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
HTX AWD
Price: Rs 37.49 lakh to Rs 39.19 lakh (both 6- and 7-seater)
Powertrain: 1.6L turbo-petrol strong hybrid 6AT, 2.2L diesel 8DCT (both AWD only)
- Black and Olive Brown cabin theme
- Navigation display on the driver’s display
- Digital key
- Digital IRVM
- Head-up display (HUD)
- Kia AI assistant (with real-time generative AI support)
- 10 airbags
- 10-way powered front seats
- Memory function on driver’s seat
- Ventilated second-row seats
- Boss mode on co-driver’s seat
- Front and rear dashcam
- Terrain modes: Snow, Sand, Mud
HTX(A) AWD
Price: Rs 38.49 lakh to Rs 40.19 lakh (both 6- and 7-seater)
Powertrain: 1.6L turbo-petrol strong hybrid 6AT, 2.2L diesel 8DCT (both AWD only)
- Level 2+ ADAS
Which variant of the Kia Sorento should you buy?
The Sorento’s mid-spec HTK variant offers a fine balance between value for money and a premium and modern feature list. The most notable miss is the AWD layout, but other than that, it gets almost all the niceties offered by the SUV. Though it lacks a digital IRVM, HUD, more electronic adjustment levels for the front seats, boss mode, and ventilated second-row seats, these are unlikely to be dealbreakers. 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
Glenn Noronha
