Ahead of the Sorento's arrival in India on September 4, 2026, Kia India has confirmed the availability of AWD on the SUV in a teaser. This makes it the first ICE-powered Kia model in India to have AWD. Additionally, the brand has also confirmed Live Gen AI, an AI-powered in-car voice assistant feature.
- Sorento will be the first strong-hybrid and AWD Kia model in India.
- It will be Kia's ICE-powered flagship SUV for our market.
Kia Sorento AWD: Additional details
The Sorento will be offered with strong-hybrid petrol and diesel engines. While exact specs remain under wraps, the global-spec Sorento gets a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong-hybrid setup with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, producing 238hp and 380Nm. In diesel guise, the Sorento is likely to use the Carnival’s 202hp, 440Nm, 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine. Global-spec versions of the Sorento have AWD with both the strong hybrid and diesel engines. But it remains to be seen if AWD is offered with both or either of the powertrains on the India-spec model.
Meanwhile, Kia's Live Gen AI feature in the Sorento allows drivers to have natural conversations with the in-car AI agent, whilst also obeying commands to control certain car functions and features.
Kia Sorento: Expected price
Likely to be priced in the ballpark of Rs 30 lakh to Rs 35 lakh ex-showroom
The Kia Sorento will be heavily localised in India with an expected price of Rs 30-35 lakh. With the Sorento getting AWD, it will take on the likes of the Volkswagen Tayron (Rs 41.99 lakh to Rs 47.74 lakh) and the Skoda Kodiaq (Rs 36.99 lakh to Rs 46.99 lakh), which also come with AWD, while the Jeep Meridian (Rs 23.33 lakh to Rs 37.92 lakh) gets a 4x4 drive layout.
All prices are ex-showroom, India
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Dhruv Dhaka
Dipan Sur
Hormazd Sorabjee
