Kia India is gearing up to introduce a brand-new flagship to its local petrol-and-diesel lineup. The three-row Kia Sorento SUV is officially set to go on sale across India on 4 September 2026. Positioned comfortably above the popular Seltos, this incoming flagship marks a major milestone as the carmaker’s very first hybrid model for the Indian market. Motorists looking to secure one early will be pleased to know that official bookings for the Sorento have opened very recently.
Estimated Price and Key Competitors
Because the Sorento is anticipated to be locally assembled, industry expectations place its starting price at around Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom).
At this price point, Kia’s new three-row SUV will enter a competitive premium space, going head-to-head with established rivals such as the:
- Volkswagen Tayron
- MG Majestor
- Skoda Kodiaq
- Toyota Fortuner
- Jeep Meridian
Powertrain Options: Hybrid and Diesel
Kia will offer the Sorento in India with both hybrid and diesel engine choices. Looking at the international-spec version for clues, the India-bound model could feature a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol hybrid setup that generates 238hp and 380Nm of torque.
Alongside the hybrid, there will be a 2.2-litre diesel engine outputting 202hp and 441Nm—a powerplant already familiar to drivers from the Kia Carnival. Both Sorento engines are likely to be paired with automatic transmissions. While the global-spec Sorento can be had in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, it remains to be seen whether the AWD drive layout will be made available to Indian buyers.
Exterior Styling and Dimensions
Visually, the Sorento sports a subtly aggressive exterior design. Standout styling details include:
- Vertically oriented LED headlamps and matching tail-lamps
- T-shaped amber-coloured daytime running lights (DRLs)
- Kia’s signature wide ‘Tiger Nose’ grille
- Dual-tone alloy wheels
- Mildly flared wheel arches and muscular front and rear bumpers
In terms of physical footprint, the global-spec Sorento measures 4,815mm in length, 1,900mm in width, and 1,700mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,815mm. Should these exact measurements hold true for the India-spec SUV, the Sorento will stand larger than most of its direct competitors.
Interior Layout, Luggage Capacity, and Features
On the inside, the India-spec Sorento is expected to be offered in both 6-seat and 7-seat seating configurations. Practicality looks set to be a major selling point: boot space measures 179 litres with all three seating rows raised, expanding to a cavernous 1,996 litres with the rear seats folded down.
The premium-looking dashboard layout includes several notable elements:
- Dual 12.3-inch displays taking centre stage for instrumentation and infotainment
- A four-spoke steering wheel featuring an offset Kia logo
- Large vertical AC vents positioned at both extremities of the dash
- A touch-capacitive control panel on the centre console alongside a rotary drive selector
In terms of creature comforts and driver tech, the Sorento is expected to pack a rich suite of equipment, including:
- Ventilated front seats and a powered driver’s seat
- Dual-zone climate control
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Panoramic sunroof and ambient interior lighting
- Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)
- Heads-up display
- Electronic parking brake
- Wireless charging pad
