Kia India commences the manufacture of the India-spec Sorento at its Anantapur plant in Andhra Pradesh. The premium three-row SUV is scheduled to go on sale in the country on September 4, 2026, and it is expected to emerge as the marque’s flagship internal-combustion engine SUV in the Indian market. It will be launched above the Seltos and will usher in Kia’s first strong-hybrid powertrain in India.
Local manufacture of the Sorento marks a significant milestone for Kia India, which until now has concentrated on producing cars in the compact and midsize SUV categories. The launch of Sorento represents the marque’s move into the segment of premium large SUVs with a car offering features like three-row seating, cutting-edge technology, all-wheel drive capability and multiple powertrains.
Kia’s New Flagship SUV
The Sorento is set to become Kia India’s flagship SUV. It will be positioned above the Seltos and will be the brand’s first three-row SUV in India.
Three-row SUVs have become popular among buyers in India, especially in the premium segment. The buyers in this segment are usually interested in spacious interiors, commanding driving experience, comfort, luxury and highway driving ability. Sorento is designed to fulfil these requirements and offers Kia’s unique style and features.
The SUV will compete in the segment which includes the offerings of premium three-row SUVs from brands such as Toyota, Jeep and Volkswagen Group based on its final pricing and positioning. Local manufacture of the SUV will help Kia India offer this model at a competitive price compared to the import of the car.
India-Spec Exterior Design
Kia has revealed the images of India-spec Sorento as manufacture of the car starts. The SUV has a bold front end design with a large grille, vertically aligned headlamps and prominent fog-light elements.
Presence of a radar sensor in the front reveals that the SUV will come with advanced driver assistance systems. Features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking are likely to feature in these systems although the list of features has not been officially confirmed yet.
It seems that the exterior is painted in matte black and could stand for X-Line trim. The India version of the SUV differs from the Sorento produced in North America while it looks like the design of the latter resembles the one of the versions available in the ASEAN region.
From the side, the SUV features rounded wheel arches, huge dual-tone alloy wheels, chrome window surrounds and silver garnish on the fenders and doors. Roof rails add up to the SUV character of the car and could provide extra functionality to the model used in long journeys.
At this moment, Kia hasn’t unveiled the rear part of the SUV. But it seems that the Sorento will have conventional LED lights instead of a connected lighting across the rear part of the vehicle. Muscular rear bumper could be also expected due to its big and powerful design.
Premium Cabin with Twin Screens
The company has partly revealed the Sorento’s interior design. In terms of the dashboard design, it features the two screens. One of the screens is a 12.3-inch infotainment system and the second screen could be a digital instrument cluster of the same size – 12.3 inches.
Unlike some new models of Kia, the Sorento does not seem to get the additional 5-inch screen used to control climate functions. The SUV will get a smart dial and a digital access panel. The system allows to change controls between the infotainment functions and climate controls by pressing a button.
The dashboard has a layered design featuring black upper part and beige bottom part. These colors are likely to bring to the cabin premium and spacious feel.
Also, the instrument cluster could include AI-based functions which could even include the function of the generative artificial intelligence. These functions could allow more natural interactions between the driver and the vehicle but the functions will be probably revealed closer to the launch.
As a three-row SUV, the Sorento is expected to get the flexible seating arrangement and practical cabin. Details regarding boot capacity with all three rows installed, second row adjustments and third row comfort are yet to be revealed.
Read this- Exicom Begins Manufacturing Liquid-Cooled EV Charger Modules in India
Powertrains in Hybrid and Diesel Variants
Another key feature of the India-specific Kia Sorento would be its strong hybrid powertrain. This feature will enable the SUV to become the first Kia hybrid and occupy a unique niche within the segment.
A strong hybrid powertrain is expected to consist of a petrol engine, electric motor and battery pack. Unlike a mild hybrid system, it allows providing the additional electric support and even running on pure electric energy under appropriate circumstances.
Moreover, a hybrid powertrain will be accompanied by the availability of all-wheel drive (AWD) variant. Such a combination of technologies is rather rare in India, especially for a premium SUV. It provides an opportunity to achieve better efficiency, increased performance and improved traction on tough road conditions.
In addition to hybrid technology, the SUV will also come with the turbocharged diesel engine. The possibility of choosing a diesel powertrain will be attractive for those customers who are planning to drive their vehicles over longer distances or value high low end torque that diesel SUVs have.
The availability of both hybrid and diesel powertrain options will give Kia the chance to satisfy needs of different clients. Those who seek high efficiency may opt for hybrid variant, and those who care about long distance touring and heavy load carrying ability may go for diesel version.
Indian Manufacturing Supports the Company’s Aspirations
The production of Sorento at the facility located in Anantapur demonstrates the significance of Indian manufacturing facilities for Kia. Manufacturing of vehicles locally enables the company to control their prices, better react to changes in market demands and manage their supply.
Moreover, it shows the confidence of Kia in the Indian market of premium SUVs. The brand has already made itself well known in India thanks to such models as Seltos, Sonet, Carens and Syros. Sorento will help Kia to enter the next segment and get a more premium flagship model.
The Kia Sorento is set to launch in India on September 4, 2026. More information about the pricing of Sorento, its variants, specifications and features will be provided in the near future before the launch of the vehicle.
Thanks to its three-row seats, strong-hybrid powertrain, possible availability of diesel engine, AWD option and locally manufactured structure, the Sorento may become one of the most important Kia India new products.
Watch this-
