Kia EV6
65.97 Lakh*
2026-08-05
Kia has confirmed it. The Kia Sorento will launch in India on September 4, 2026, and it's already the most important SUV on Kia's calendar this year. Pre-bookings are open right now, and this SUV marks Kia's first step into the hybrid SUV space in India.
If you're short on time, here's the gist: it's a three-row SUV, it'll come with a strong-hybrid petrol engine and a diesel option, and it's expected to be priced somewhere between ₹40 lakh and ₹50 lakh (ex-showroom). Everything else below fills in the details.
The Sorento isn't just another SUV. It's about to become Kia's flagship ICE model in India, sitting above the Seltos and slotting in neatly between the Seltos and the Carnival in the brand's lineup. Kia has been talking about an ambitious 2030 plan too. The company wants to grow annual sales in India to around 4.10 lakh vehicles and push its market share to roughly 7.6%, with eight electrified vehicles on offer by then. The Sorento HEV is one of the models Kia has specifically named as part of that push.
So this launch is really a test run. If Indian buyers take to the strong-hybrid tech, expect Kia to lean harder into electrification across its India lineup in the coming years.
Kia is offering two engines for the Sorento, and that alone sets it apart from most rivals in this segment.
The hybrid setup uses a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine paired with an electric motor, and reports peg combined output at somewhere between 238 PS and 241 PS, with 380 Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic. There's also talk of a 44.2kWh electric motor working with a small 1.5kWh battery pack, though Kia hasn't nailed down the exact India-spec numbers yet.
The diesel motor is a 2.2-litre unit, likely shared with the Carnival, making around 202 PS and a healthy 441 Nm. Some reports suggest it could be paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Honestly, the diesel is the smarter move on Kia's part. Big three-row SUV buyers still lean diesel, especially anyone who drives long highway stretches often. Keeping that option alive while adding a hybrid gives Kia two very different types of buyers to chase with one product.
Whether Kia offers all-wheel drive on the India-spec Sorento is still unconfirmed. The global model gets both FWD and AWD, so we'll know more closer to launch.
At close to 4.8 metres long, the Sorento is a proper full-size SUV, and it's actually bigger than its closest monocoque rivals.
| Dimension | Kia Sorento | Skoda Kodiaq | VW Tayron |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4815mm | 4758mm | 4792mm |
| Width | 1900mm | 1864mm | 1866mm |
| Height | 1700mm | 1679mm | 1665mm |
| Wheelbase | 2815mm | 2791mm | 2789mm |
That extra wheelbase should translate into real legroom across all three rows, not just marketing talk.
Design-wise, it follows Kia's current SUV language: vertically stacked LED headlamps, a large tiger nose grille, sharp LED daytime running lights, and connected LED tail lamps at the back. Higher variants are expected to get 20-inch alloy wheels, and there's a roof-mounted spoiler that adds a bit of sportiness to what is otherwise a pretty upright, imposing shape.
Kia doesn't usually skimp on cabin tech, and the Sorento sounds like no exception.
Expect dual 12.3-inch displays (or a large curved unit combining the instrument cluster and infotainment, depending on which report you trust), a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a powered driver's seat, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting, a head-up display, and a Bose premium sound system. There's also mention of a 360-degree camera and an electronic parking brake with auto hold.
Seating is where it gets interesting. Kia may offer both a 6-seat layout with second-row captain seats and a standard 7-seat version, letting buyers pick between lounge-like comfort and outright practicality. Boot space in the global model comes in at 179 litres with all three rows up, which jumps to close to 2,000 litres with the third row folded flat.
Level 2 ADAS looks confirmed for the higher variants. That typically covers adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking, on top of the usual multiple airbags and parking sensors front and rear. For a segment where the Fortuner and Kodiaq still lag a bit on driver-assist tech, this could genuinely be a differentiator for Kia.
Nobody's got the final number yet, but estimates range from around ₹40 lakh to ₹50 lakh ex-showroom, with most reports clustering closer to the ₹40-42 lakh mark for the base variant. Kia is expected to assemble the Sorento locally through the CKD route, which should help keep pricing more competitive than a fully imported SUV would allow.
At that price, it lands right in the middle of a genuinely tough fight: the Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tayron, MG Majestor, and Jeep Meridian. The Fortuner still has body-on-frame toughness and brand loyalty on its side. The Kodiaq and Tayron offer German road manners. The Sorento's pitch is different: cabin comfort, tech, and a hybrid powertrain none of its direct rivals currently offer.
Pre-bookings are already open through Kia dealerships and the company's website, and given how much interest this SUV has already generated, booking early isn't a bad call if you're seriously considering it. It doesn't lock you into buying, and it usually means an earlier delivery slot once prices go live.
If you want a deeper look at the hybrid variant specifically, including expected mileage figures, check out our detailed breakdown: Kia Sorento Hybrid India Launch 2026: Pre-Bookings Open, Price, Features & Expected Mileage.
Kia Cars in India have been on a bit of a tear this year, and the Sorento looks set to be the brand's most ambitious launch yet. September 4 isn't far off, so we won't be waiting long for the full picture on variants, exact features, and pricing.
All powertrain figures, dimensions and feature details in this article are based on early reports and the global-spec Sorento. Final India-spec specifications, features and pricing will be confirmed by Kia at launch.
