South Korean car manufacturer Kia launched the new-generation Seltos earlier this year, and the company also has plans to launch a couple of more SUVs in the Indian market. One of them will be the Sorento SUV, which is expected to become Kia’s flagship model once launched. Kia has been testing the Sorento extensively, and we now have the latest images of the upcoming SUV being tested on Indian roads ahead of its official launch later this year.
The images have been shared by MotorBeam on its Instagram page. In the post, we see a fully camouflaged Kia Sorento being driven on a highway somewhere in South India. The Kia Sorento will be an entirely new product for the Indian market, although it is already on sale in several international markets. When launched in India, the Sorento could receive a few market-specific changes, particularly on the exterior.
However, it is expected to retain the aggressive design language seen on the international model. Based on the test mules, it is clear that the Sorento will feature vertically stacked LED headlamps with T-shaped LED DRLs, a wide Tiger Nose grille, and a premium yet aggressive-looking front bumper with a large air dam.
The SUV will feature a boxy design, which is typical of vehicles in this segment. It is also expected to offer the commanding road presence buyers look for in a premium SUV. The Sorento is likely to come with large 19-inch alloy wheels, thick wheel-arch cladding, roof rails, and other rugged styling elements.
At the rear, the Sorento is expected to feature vertically stacked LED tail lamps, a sloping rear windshield, an integrated roof spoiler, a shark-fin antenna, a muscular tailgate, and a chunky rear bumper with parking sensors.
As this is a premium SUV, Kia is expected to load it with features. The Sorento is likely to be offered with a premium cabin and multiple interior colour options depending on the variant. Feature highlights are expected to include dual 12.3-inch displays, connected car technology, over-the-air (OTA) updates, soft-touch cabin materials, ventilated front seats, multi-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable seats with memory function, ventilated rear seats, leatherette upholstery, ambient lighting, a premium Bose sound system, and Level 2 ADAS features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision avoidance, and more.
Internationally, the Kia Sorento is available with a variety of powertrain options. These include a 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid engine, and a 2.2-litre diesel engine. All-wheel-drive variants are also available in select markets.
What could make the Kia Sorento particularly interesting for India is its powertrain. It is expected to become the first Kia model in the country to be offered with a strong-hybrid petrol engine. However, it is unlikely to use the 1.6-litre hybrid unit available overseas. Instead, Kia is reportedly developing a strong-hybrid system based on its 1.5-litre petrol engine specifically for Indian conditions. This should also help keep costs lower compared to the international version.
The 1.5-litre strong-hybrid powertrain will feature an electric motor and a battery pack to improve the fuel efficiency of the seven-seater SUV. Like most strong hybrids, the Sorento should be capable of driving short distances in pure EV mode before seamlessly switching to the petrol engine when additional power is required. The powertrain is likely to be paired with an e-CVT transmission.
The Kia Sorento will compete with rivals such as the Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq, and Jeep Meridian. The SUV is expected to be launched in India in the coming months.
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