The Kia Sorento, a 3-row SUV available in markets such as Europe, North America, Latin America and the Middle East, has been spotted testing in India for the first time. We had reported that Kia is readying a 3-row hybrid SUV based on the Sorento, codenamed MQ4i, which will go on to compete with the Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari. The car spied is likely to be a test mule of this upcoming model.
- Spy shots reveal upright body, lighting setup and centre console
- India launch of 3-row hybrid SUV expected by 2027
Kia Sorento design details spied
Spy shots show an upright yet crossover-like silhouette
Though the spied Kia Sorento SUV is heavily camouflaged, some design elements are visible. The spy shots reveal the same vertically stacked LED headlight units as the global-spec model, along with a thin strip of LED daytime running lamp (DRL) over it. Although the grille and bumper are hidden, the front camera and front parking sensors are visible. The global-spec model comes with a radar sensor for ADAS functions, which is missing on the spied model. However, the production-spec model could be equipped with it because the Seltos, which will sit below this SUV in Kia’s line-up, has it.
Spy shots also show 19-inch alloys shod in 235/55 tyres
In profile, 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels shod in 235/55 tyres are also visible, along with the flush-type door handles and silver roof rails. At the rear, the split-design wraparound LED tail-lights can be seen, while the bumper is draped in heavy camouflage, revealing only the rear parking sensors.
Overseas, the Sorento measures 4,815mm in length, 1,900mm in width and 1,700mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2,815mm. To see how these specifications compare against its rivals, you can check out this article.
Kia Sorento interior details spied
Spy shots reveal a centre console similar to the global-spec Sorento
A glimpse of the SUV’s interior showed its centre console featuring a rotary dial as the gear selector and buttons for the electronic parking brake and other functions, all of which look identical to the global-spec model.
Other features that could make their way to the India-spec model include dual 12.3-inch displays, a panoramic sunroof, a privacy glass function for the rear windows and tailgate, powered and ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera and a head-up display.
Kia Sorento: Powertrain options
Expected to get a petrol hybrid engine debuting on the next-gen Seltos
The UK-spec Kia Sorento offers engine options: a 238hp 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid, a 288hp 1.6-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid and a 2.2-litre diesel hybrid. The petrol engines come mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel is paired with an 8-speed DCT. All powertrains have an all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup.
However, the India-spec model is expected to debut a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol hybrid engine, which will also do duty on the next-generation Kia Seltos.
As mentioned earlier, the India-spec Sorento will rival the Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari and will also spawn a Hyundai derivative later. The Kia 3-row SUV is expected to be launched in India by 2027.
IMAGE SOURCE: Critical_Impress8453 via CarsIndia Reddit
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