Kia India has officially revealed its flagship 3-row SUV Kia Sorento in the Indian market. The company has started its mass production at Anantapur plant in Andhra Pradesh. The automaker has confirmed that this premium SUV will be officially launched in the Indian market on September 4, 2026, which will be Kia’s first strong-hybrid SUV in India.
Bold design and modern architecture
The brand’s signature design can be seen in the Kia Sorento coming to India. Its front has a wide tiger nose grille with vertical LED headlights and T-shaped DRLs. This 4.8 meter long SUV gets 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, roof rails, silver skid plates and vertical tail-lamps. With a wheelbase of 2,815 mm, this SUV will be launched in the market in 6-seater (captain seats) and 7-seater options.
Segment-first AI and powerful engine
Inside the cabin, a twin 12.3-inch dual curved panoramic screen is provided, which serves as driver instrumentation and infotainment. This will be the first Kia vehicle in India to have Live Generative AI (Live Gen AI) voice assistant. Apart from this, the cabin includes features like panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, level-2 ADAS, ventilated seats and Bose sound system.
For performance, it is being offered with two powerful engine options:
- 1.6-litre Turbo Petrol Strong-Hybrid: This engine generates 238 bhp power and 380 Nm torque. It will have the option of all-wheel drive (AWD) with 6-speed automatic gearbox.
- 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine: This engine generates 202 bhp power and 441 Nm torque, which comes with 8-speed automatic transmission.
Voices from the Ground / Official Statements
“A legacy that transcends boundaries. The start of Sorento production at the Anantapur plant is a big milestone for us. We are bringing together strong-hybrid technology, AWD capability and live generative AI features for Indian customers.”
— Official Spokesperson, Kia India
market impact
Pre-booking for Kia Sorento has been started at dealerships and online portals. It is expected to be priced between ₹38 lakh to ₹40 lakh (ex-showroom) due to local assembly in Anantapur. After its launch on September 4, it will directly compete with 3-row SUVs like Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq and Jeep Meridian in the Indian market.