Powering the Sorento hybrid is a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 180hp and 265Nm along with a 64hp, 264Nm electric motor. This engine is paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Diesel versions of the Sorento utilise a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel developing 193hp and 442Nm of torque.

The diesel-powered Sorento is paired with an 8-speed DCT. There’s no manual gearbox option on offer with either engine here.

The Kia Sorento is 4,815mm long, 1,900mm wide, and 1,700mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,815mm. It comes with three rows of seats and is available in either a 6-seat or a 7-seat layout.

The Sorento’s safety kit includes remote parking assist, 10 airbags, level 2+ ADAS, dash cam, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, ISOFIX mounts, an electronic parking brake, and hill hold assist.

AnandReddy•4 Oct 2026

4/5

Kia Sorento has a hybrid option that gives better mileage compared to the petrol engine. The diesel variant is powerful and comes with an efficient DCT gearbox. It offers a huge boot space when the third row is folded flat. The diesel engine is tried and tested in Kia Carnival. The body is monocoque, and in-cabin noise is very low, making it good for long journeys.

Abhinav Gupta•21 Sept 2026

4/5

Good evening Autocar India... First for myself...I am a huge fan of Autocar India...and a die hard car lover... I went to Experience the Sorento in a Kia showroom... I personally found the car priced well ..although current prices are the introductory prices... For the car...I haven't driven it for now...but the car is very good in terms of design...comfort & modern features...I specially liked the HTK variant more VFM....AND as for it's direct rivals ...I can personally say here that Toyota has really attained its image of a real SUV like the Legender+ ...but for the price ...I think today's buyer will be getting more for his/her money if he/she opts the Sorento... I gave it 1 star less because Sorento is not having an SUV appeal ..or looks are not heartwarming....also its dashboard look is not so eye-catching & inspiring... Also... Kia could have given more powerful engine ....2.5L at least in a Diesel guise... So these are my views... Thanks

Aman Chopra•10 Sept 2026

4/5

Sorento is really a decent car. I have taken a test drive.

Sameer•4 Sept 2026

5/5

Waited too long for this car , glad that it’s finally here n that too with the latest hybrid petrol engine .

Vasanth•14 Aug 2026

2/5

First Impression: It's alright Price Verdict: Overpriced I am hoping its 3rd row is comfortable for adults like Carens and there is no DCT

Divay Gupta•12 Aug 2026

4/5

First Impression: It's alright Price Verdict: Fairly priced Overall I think it's a fairly priced

Divay Gupta•6 Aug 2026

5/5

First Impression: Looks great Price Verdict: Fairly priced I hope it has good boot space.

Suresh Naidu•3 Aug 2026

3/5

The Sorento, while not yet launched, might offer more modern features and styling. If you can wait, the Sorento could be worth checking out.

Dr YTK Gowda•29 Jul 2026

4/5

Sorento 1.6-liter strong-hybrid turbo-petrol may be a good choice.

Kia Sorento Images

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Questions you may find useful

•1w

Hello Autocar India team, I want to thank you for your First Impression articles, detailed reviews, podcasts and other content. Please continue with your impartial reviews. I currently own a 2015 Vento Highline Petrol and still fall in love with the car whenever I take it on long drives. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be much movement in the sedan segment. We can stretch our budget to Rs 40 lakh on-road. Our primary use will be planned or unplanned road trips, with limited city driving. EVs concern me because of battery life and charging infrastructure. Petrol cars are a concern because of E20 and the possibility of higher ethanol blending in the future. Hybrids haven't convinced me either. I also don't want to consider premium hatchbacks like the Creta and Seltos. We have narrowed our choices to the Jeep Meridian Overland or Compass 4x4, although Stellantis' long-term commitment remains a concern; the Kia Sorento Diesel AWD; and the Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel 4x4. Please share your unbiased recommendation. Thanks and regards, Yashodhan Patel

•5d

Thank you for your kind words on our content.Of the vehicles on your shortlist, the Kia Sorento Diesel AWD is the best. It's got a strong diesel engine and a smooth gearbox, which make long journeys absolutely effortless. Kia has also packed the Sorento with features that uplift comfort levels inside. The third row isn't the best, though the Jeep Meridian and Mahindra XUV 7XO are also not great in this regard. Kia's proven reliability also makes the Sorento an easy model to recommend for your usage.

Kia Sorento

Jeep Meridian

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•2w

I have a 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E250 CDI Avantgarde with 80,000 km driven. I am thinking of getting a new car. I don’t drive much, except for some long highway drives once every six months. I have hybrid cars like the Sorento in mind. Is it worth changing?

•2w

If your Mercedes-Benz E250 CDI is running well and you only do occasional long highway drives, there is no strong financial or practical reason to change it right now. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a superb long-distance car with excellent comfort, refinement and a proven diesel engine that is well suited to highway cruising. At 80,000km, there is still life left in it as a well-maintained Mercedes diesel, and the cost of upgrading to a new car is unlikely to be justified by your current usage pattern.The Kia Sorento Hybrid is a very different proposition. It is a large, comfortable and well-equipped SUV, but the hybrid system is designed to deliver its biggest benefits in mixed city and highway driving. On long highway runs, the fuel economy advantage over a diesel is less pronounced, and this Kia car does not offer the same driving experience as the E-Class.If you are looking for a change, the Sorento Hybrid is a sensible and practical family SUV, but it is not a direct replacement for an E-Class in terms of driving experience or long-distance comfort. If your usage remains occasional long highway drives, it makes more sense to keep the E-Class and enjoy it for a few more years. If you want a change for the sake of something new, the Sorento Hybrid is a great option.

Kia Sorento

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

•2w

Please recommend one of the Sorento, Hycross and Kodiaq (all automatic). I drive 350 km on the highway each week, plus 50 km per day in the city for 3 days. My decision criteria are: Diesel or hybrid, Safety (Kia has a bad reputation), Back-seat comfort on the highway, Driving quality, Last-row seat comfort, and Comfort when driving myself I am leaning toward the Sorento. If so, should I choose the diesel or the hybrid?

•2w

For your mix of 350 km of highway driving each week and another 150 km in the city, the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid is a sensible recommendation. It combines good fuel efficiency with easy city driving, a comfortable highway ride and, crucially, a genuinely usable third row. If you regularly travel with adults in all three rows, it makes the strongest case. Toyota’s reputation for reliability adds to its appeal for long-term ownership. The Kia Sorento is a good alternative, especially since you are already leaning towards it. We would favour the diesel if highway cruising is your priority, although your city running means the hybrid deserves consideration too. The Sorento feels more plush and better appointed, and we would rate it above this Toyota car as a highway cruiser.What could be the deal-breaker is the third row. It is better suited to children or occasional use by adults. The low seating position leaves you sitting with your knees raised, rather than comfortably supported, so make sure your intended passengers try it before you decide.On safety, we would not judge the Sorento by the reputation of other Kia models sold in India. Safety is model-specific, and the Sorento generation tested by Euro NCAP earned five stars. The Skoda Kodiaq is the driver’s choice here, with excellent dynamics and a premium cabin. If self-drive enjoyment matters more than maximum passenger space, it is very appealing. However, its third row is less accommodating than the Hycross’s, and its petrol-only powertrain is unlikely to match the Toyota hybrid’s economy for your usage.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Kia Sorento

Skoda Kodiaq

•3w

Hi, I have just sold my MG Gloster and am now looking for a new SUV. I need your guidance about which car should I buy among VW Tayron, Skoda Kodiaq or Kia Sorent.

•3w

As a replacement for your MG Gloster, the Kia Sorento is the most logical choice. You get a diesel, a familiar option if you’ve been happy with the Gloster’s powertrain, as well as a strong-hybrid variant that could make more sense for city use. Neither the Tayron nor the Kodiaq offers either: both are powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine.The Sorento also makes a strong case on features, comfort and value. But if driving enjoyment is higher on your list, the Skoda Kodiaq is the one to pick. Its sharper handling and more engaging character should make it the more entertaining SUV to drive. So, for a well-equipped, versatile replacement with a choice of diesel and hybrid power, go for the Sorento. If you want the more involving drive, choose the Kodiaq.

Kia Sorento

Skoda Kodiaq

Volkswagen Tayron

•7w

Hi, I currently own a Hyundai Verna 1.5 Turbo DCT, Kia Carens Clavis DCT and Tata Altroz. After the launch of the Kia Sorento, I am quite interested in it. Would it be worth selling my one-year-old Carens Clavis and upgrading to the Sorento HTE (O) Hybrid, or would it be better to retain the Clavis and instead purchase the MG Hector Tomahawk EV? Please advise. My daily running is also expected to increase to around 70 km per day in the future.

•7w

With a daily running of around 70km, the financial case for an EV becomes very strong, provided you have access to home charging. The MG Hector Tomahawk EV is a large, comfortable SUV with a spacious cabin and a long range, making it well suited to your usage pattern. It will also deliver significantly lower running costs compared to a hybrid or petrol car.The Kia Sorento HTE (O) Hybrid is a very appealing product, but the fuel savings are not as dramatic as those of a well-used EV. Selling a one-year-old Carens Clavis will also involve a depreciation hit that is difficult to justify unless the Sorento offers something you genuinely need.The Clavis DCT is already a very capable family car, and there is no compelling reason to replace it after just one year. The smarter move is to retain the Clavis and add the Hector Tomahawk EV as your primary daily driver. This way, you get the best of both worlds: an efficient, low-cost commuter and a practical family car for longer trips.

MG Hector Tomahawk EV

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Sorento