Kia has officially launched the all-new Sorento in India, taking on the three-row premium SUV segment with strong-hybrid and diesel powertrains, AWD and a host of other features. Priced from ₹27.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the Sorento offers options from a 7-seater diesel to a 6-seater hybrid with AWD, with the top-spec diesel and hybrid AWD variants priced at around ₹40 lakh. The Sorento is assembled at Kia’s Anantapur plant in Andhra Pradesh and will be the brand’s new flagship ICE SUV in India.
Strong-hybrid and diesel powertrains and AWD on offer: India’s only turbo-petrol SUV with AWD
The 2026 Kia Sorento is available with two engine options, both of which can be had with FWD and AWD:
1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong hybrid
Petrol engine: 180 hp / 265 Nm
Electric motor: 65 hp / 264 Nm
Combined: 245 hp / 380 Nm
6-speed automatic transmission
FWD or AWD
The Sorento is India’s only strong-hybrid SUV with a turbo-petrol engine, electric motor and AWD. This combination delivers a blend of performance, comfort and efficiency not available in standard petrol SUVs.
2.2-litre turbo-diesel
Power: 193-202 hp (442 Nm)
8-speed DCT
FWD or AWD
The diesel engine is sure to tempt buyers after traditional SUVs, offering ample power and torque, combined with comfort. All engine variants come with four drive modes (Normal/Eco/Sport/Smart) and three terrain modes (Snow/Sand/Mud).
Design: Bold tiger-nose + vertical LED signature
The India-spec Sorento is the MQ4 fourth-gen model that’s been launched globally in 2023, with minor updates. It features Kia’s latest design language inspired by the tiger’s nose and includes the following highlights:
Tiger-nose grille with black honeycomb pattern and chrome border
Vertical LED projector headlamps with Y-shaped LED DRLs
Large central air intake, twin LED fog lamps and faux silver skid plate at the front bumper
19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels with narrow black wheel-arch trimmings
Roof rails, chrome inserts on the front fenders, and chrome window surrounds
L-shaped wraparound LED tail lamps, roof-mounted spoiler, and dual exhaust tips
The Sorento has a bold, upright design language that makes it look more like a premium family SUV rather than a crossover.
Interior, tech and comfort: Dual 12.3-inch displays + Marvel/Disney theming
The Sorento features a modernised interior with a 12.3-inch display for the instrument cluster and another one for the infotainment system. The displays are part of the dual-tone grey-black or beige-black interior and offer the following highlights:
Theme engine: Nine UI themes from Marvel, Disney, and Pixar – the first time for any Kia in India
Touch climate control panel below the infotainment system with scrollers and a button to toggle between climate and infotainment
4-spoke steering wheel with physical buttons and scrollers, offset Kia logo
Rotary gear selector with knurled finish, wireless phone charging, cup holders, and push-start button
Centre console with a storage compartment under the armrest
Higher trims get a panoramic sunroof, head-up display (HUD), powered tailgate, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. The Sorento also features real-time generative AI for voice assistants, making it unique in the segment.
6-seater and 7-seater options: Only SUV in the segment with such flexibility
The Kia Sorento is the only three-row SUV in the segment offering a choice between 6 and 7 seats.
7-seater: Spacious bench seat in the second row
6-seater: Captive seats in the second row
The Sorento’s seats are covered in tan-coloured leatherette. The front seats feature ventilation, 10-way power adjustments, and lumbar support, while the co-driver’s seat has a “boss mode” it slides forward to provide more room in the middle row. The middle-row seats are also 10-way power adjustable and can be electronically folded. The 6-seater variation also features ventilation in the captain’s seats.
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Safety and ADAS: 10 airbags, Level 2+ suite, dashcams
The Sorento is loaded with standard and optional safety features, including the following:
10 airbags
ABS with EBD, electronic stability program, hill-hold, and hill-descent
ISOFIX child-seat mounts and TPMS
360-degree camera with blind-view monitor on higher trims
Digital inside rearview mirror (IRVM)
Front and rear dashcams
Level 2+ ADAS with 30+ autonomous driving features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance, lane-keeping, blind-spot collision-avoidance, cross-traffic alert, and more
Remote smart parking assist and multi-collision braking on top trims
The Sorento is one of the safest cars in its segment, with the standard 10 airbags, advanced active safety systems, and a suite of driver-assistance features.
Variants and pricing
The Sorento is available in three core trims: HTE, HTK, and HTX. Each has different levels of equipment, with the following designations:
(O): Convenience Pack
(A): ADAS Pack
Black Line: Styling pack with blacked-out exterior and interior details
The base HTE trim is exclusively 7-seater and comes with a diesel engine only, while HTK and HTX are available in 6- and 7-seater and with hybrid and diesel engines. Hybrid 7-seater variants start from around ₹29.49 lakh, while the top AWD variants’ prices approach ₹40 lakh. Actual prices may vary depending on the city due to taxes, but overall, the entry-level diesel 7-seater will be priced below ₹28 lakh, and the fully loaded variants will approach ₹40 lakh.
Competitors and position in the market
In terms of competitors, the Kia Sorento faces the Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq, VW Tayron, and MG Gloster. Its main advantages over them are the strong-hybrid powertrain with AWD, the option to choose between 6- and 7-seater, a rich set of standard equipment (dual 12.3-inch displays, Marvel/Disney theming, Bose sound system, panoramic sunroof), and a comprehensive set of ADAS and safety features (Level 2+ with 30+ functions, 10 airbags). Thus, the Kia Sorento is currently the most premium and well-equipped Kia in India, just below the forthcoming electric models.
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