The next launch from Kia India is going to be big and special- the Sorento! It will become the first Kia to offer a strong hybrid petrol engine in India. With the India entry confirmed for September 4, 2026, here is what to expect from the Sorento.
Fact be told, the Sorento is coming really late to India. The version expected here is the facelifted fourth-generation model. Globally, the fourth-generation Sorento was first introduced in 2020. It received a major facelift in 2023 that brought significant updates to the SUV. Interestingly, the next-generation is expected to debut around 2027. This makes the India entry feel oddly timed.
The India-spec Sorento is expected to stay identical to the global model in terms of design. It will have butch SUV looks and a tall stance. The global model measures 4,815 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 1,700 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2815 mm. The India-specific model will likely have the same. These will place the Sorento firmly in the large SUV territory.
The design may seem to not adhere to Kia’s latest SUV design direction. This is due to the generation-mismatch mentioned above. It will have Kia’s famous ‘Tiger Nose’ grille, sleek LED headlamps, LED DRLs, and more. The global model comes with 19-inch alloy wheels. It remains to be seen if these will be carried over in the Indian version as well.
A recent set of spy shots had revealed the interior of the India-spec Sorento. It will have a modern design and will be tech-heavy. Upright air vents placed at the edges of the dashboard and the use of high-quality materials will remain some of the key highlights.
The SUV will also have a long list of features. Expect the likes of two 12.3-inch screens (central touchscreen and instrument cluster), a large panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, Level 2 ADAS, a 360-degree camera, electronic parking brake, powered front seats with electric boss mode for the front passenger seat, and more. The steering wheel will have a chunky design and will house a lot of controls.
It has also been confirmed that the Sorento will be offered in three seating configurations- five, six and seven. The six-seater variant will have captain seats in the middle-row. This will probably be the most comfortable seating configuration of the three. Flexible seating is becoming increasingly common in this segment.
The Sorento has for long, been talked about as a hybrid SUV. While it is one, the strong hybrid powertrain will not be the only option on offer. Kia will offer the SUV with two engine options- 1.6L turbocharged petrol strong hybrid and a 2.2L turbocharged diesel engine.
The former will use a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine as its base. It will be mated to a 60 hp electric motor and a 1.49 kWh battery pack. The combination will be capable of producing around 238 hp and 380 Nm. The strong hybrid version will come with a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Depending on the market, both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options are available, although it is not yet clear which of these will come to India.
The diesel engine is familiar to the Indian audience. This 2.2L turbo-diesel comes from the Carnival MPV. It will likely make around 202 hp and 440 Nm. The Sorento is set to enter a segment in which having a strong diesel engine would work in its favour. The demand for diesel engines remains strong in this segment.
Talking of the segment, the Sorento will compete with the likes of Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tiguan R Line and the MG Majestor. Of these, the Fortuner remains the most popular choice and has a reliable diesel engine. Even the Majestor is diesel-powered. Having a proven diesel engine will thus help the Sorento gain acceptance.
Kia is expected to assemble the Sorento in India. This will allow it to keep the prices competitive. According to speculations, the Sorento could be priced between Rs 40 lakh and Rs 50 lakh, ex-showroom.