2026-08-03
Kia cars has officially unveiled the teaser of the all-new Sorento, confirming the arrival of its premium three-row SUV in the Indian market. The teaser marks a significant milestone for the company as the Kia Sorento will become the brand’s first hybrid SUV in India. Along with the teaser release, Kia has also opened official pre-bookings for the upcoming model ahead of its launch.
While Kia has not yet disclosed the complete specifications of the India-spec Sorento, the SUV is expected to be positioned as the company’s flagship ICE-powered model in the Indian lineup, placed above the Kia Seltos. The Sorento is also expected to be locally assembled in India, which could help Kia offer competitive pricing in the premium three-row SUV segment.
The first teaser provides a glimpse of the Sorento’s bold and premium design language. The SUV features an upright stance, muscular proportions, and Kia’s latest global design elements. The front profile showcases vertically stacked LED lighting units along with sleek LED daytime running lights that extend towards the centre, creating a modern and distinctive appearance.
The teaser also highlights the SUV’s wide stance, strong shoulder lines, and premium road presence. Kia has not revealed technical details yet but has confirmed that more information will be shared closer to the official launch.
Although India-specific specifications are yet to be announced, the global-spec Sorento and test models spotted in India provide an idea of what buyers can expect. The SUV measures around 4,815 mm in length, making it larger than competitors such as the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron.
The India-spec Kia Sorento is expected to feature a spacious three-row cabin with six-seat and seven-seat configurations. The premium interior could include features such as dual 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, powered driver seat, 360-degree camera, head-up display, electronic parking brake, rotary gear selector, and Level 2 ADAS technology.
The biggest highlight of the Sorento will be its hybrid powertrain, making it Kia India’s first hybrid SUV. Internationally, the SUV is offered with a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong hybrid engine that produces around 238 hp of power and 380 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Kia is expected to reveal whether the India-spec version will be available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive closer to launch.
With pre-bookings now open, the Kia Sorento is expected to launch in India before the Diwali festive season. The SUV is likely to be priced around Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom), although official pricing will be announced at the time of launch.
Once introduced, the Kia Sorento Hybrid will compete with premium three-row SUVs including the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron. It is also expected to attract buyers considering the top variants of the Toyota Innova Hycross.
The arrival of the Kia Sorento will strengthen the brand’s premium SUV portfolio in India. After establishing a strong presence with models such as Seltos, Sonet, Syros, and Carens Clavis, Kia is now preparing to enter the premium hybrid SUV segment with one of its globally successful nameplates.
The Sorento’s launch is expected to further expand Kia’s presence in the Indian SUV market and contribute to stronger sales growth in the premium vehicle segment.
