- The Kia Sorento SUV was launched in India in diesel and strong-hybrid engine options at a starting price of ₹27.99 lakh.
- This premium SUV offers an all-wheel drive option with 6 and 7-seater layouts.
- The car includes advanced features based on 10 airbags, level 2+ ADAS technology and generative AI.
Kia India has created a stir in the luxury SUV segment by officially launching its much awaited and premium 3-row SUV 'Kia Sorento' in India. The car is positioned as the company's new flagship SUV in the Indian market, with a starting ex-showroom price of ₹27.99 lakh. Considering the different needs of the customers, the company has made this car available in both diesel and strong-hybrid engine options. Also offered in both 6-seater and 7-seater seating configurations, its top-end 'Black Line' variant is priced at ₹40.39 lakh.
Price, Variants and seating layout information
The range of variants of this SUV has been kept very wide, allowing the buyers to choose the right model according to their preferences. In the diesel segment the 7-seater HTE variant is the base model with prices starting at ₹27.99 lakh and going up to ₹38.69 lakh for the top HTX(A) variant. The 6-seater variant in diesel starts at ₹32.69 lakh and goes up to ₹38.89 lakh. On the other hand, for customers looking for advanced hybrid technology, the 7-seater hybrid starts at ₹29.49 lakh (top model ₹40.19 lakh), while the 6-seater hybrid is priced at ₹34.19 lakh (top model ₹40.39 lakh). The price difference between the base diesel and the base hybrid model is only ₹1.50 lakh, which is likely to increase consumer inclination towards the hybrid option.
Kia Sorento India: Hybrid, Diesel and AWD! Kia Sorento makes strong entry in India; It got 5 stars in safety, it will compete with Fortuner
Powerful powertrain, Engine capacity and transmission
Kia Sorento is offered with two powerful engine options. The first variant gets the 2.2-litre SmartStream diesel engine, which generates a maximum power of 193 PS and a massive torque of 442 Nm; The engine is mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Another option is the advanced 1.6-litre T-GDi turbo-petrol hybrid engine, where the petrol engine produces 180 PS of power and 265 Nm of torque, while the electric motor adds an additional 65 PS of power and 264 Nm of torque. This hybrid engine comes mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Notably, the higher HTX and above variants in both the diesel and hybrid ranges offer the option of All-Wheel Drive (AWD), making the car extremely capable on rough roads and off-roading.
Modern technology, Cabin features and artificial intelligence
The interior of this SUV is equipped with premium and hi-tech digital features. The cabin features a 12.3-inch HD navigation display and a dial-type 'shift-by-wire' selector for gear changes. The company has included special 'Relaxation Seats' in it for a comfortable experience on long journeys. In addition, Kia has taken a step forward in terms of technology with 'Kia AI Assistant' based on Generative AI. The technology of 'Perplexity AI' and 'SoundHound' has been used to make this voice system and intelligence layer more advanced, making it easier and faster for the driver to use various features of the car.
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Safety features
In terms of safety, Kia Sorento has followed international safety norms. The SUV comes with 10 airbags, 24 standard safety features and over 30 autonomous safety features, including Level 2+ ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System). This advanced safety system provides real-time alerts and driving assistance to the driver to avoid road accidents. The car will directly challenge the already popular premium SUVs like Toyota Fortuner, MG Gloster and Skoda Kodiaq in the Indian market. With a hybrid engine option, modern AI features and an attractive price tag, the Kia Sorento is expected to pose a strong challenge in this segment.