Khyati Sharma 2026-09-04
Kia India has officially launched the new Sorento three-row premium SUV in the Indian market, with prices starting at ₹27.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Positioned as Kia's new flagship ICE SUV in India, the Sorento brings a combination of premium styling, spacious interiors, advanced technology and multiple powertrain choices.
The SUV is available with diesel and strong-hybrid powertrains, along with six- and seven-seat configurations. AWD is also offered, giving the Sorento a broader appeal among buyers looking for a premium family SUV with additional all-weather capability. The top-end variant is priced at ₹40.39 lakh (ex-showroom).
The Sorento is locally manufactured at Kia's Anantapur facility in Andhra Pradesh, highlighting the company's focus on local production for the Indian market.
| Variant | Powertrain | Drive | Seating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HTE | Diesel | FWD | 7-Seater | ₹27.99 Lakh |
| HTE(O) | Diesel | FWD | 7-Seater | ₹29.49 Lakh |
| HTE | Strong Hybrid | FWD | 7-Seater | ₹29.49 Lakh |
| HTK | Diesel | FWD | 7-Seater | ₹32.49 Lakh |
| HTK | Diesel | FWD | 6-Seater | ₹32.69 Lakh |
| HTK | Strong Hybrid | FWD | 7-Seater | ₹33.99 Lakh |
| HTK | Strong Hybrid | FWD | 6-Seater | ₹34.19 Lakh |
| HTX | Diesel | AWD | 7-Seater | ₹37.49 Lakh |
| HTX | Diesel | AWD | 6-Seater | ₹37.69 Lakh |
| HTX | Strong Hybrid | AWD | 7-Seater | ₹38.99 Lakh |
| HTX | Strong Hybrid | AWD | 6-Seater | ₹39.19 Lakh |
| HTX(A) Black Line | Strong Hybrid | AWD | 6-Seater | ₹40.39 Lakh |
Prices are ex-showroom and may vary depending on variant and configuration.
The biggest highlight of the new Sorento is its choice of powertrains. Kia offers the SUV with a 2.2-litre diesel engine as well as a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong-hybrid powertrain.
The diesel engine develops 202 PS and 441 Nm, and is paired with an 8-speed DCT automatic transmission. Buyers can choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive depending on the variant.
The hybrid setup combines a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 180 PS and 265 Nm with an electric motor producing 65 PS and 264 Nm. The system is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and is available with FWD and AWD configurations.
| Specification | 2.2L Diesel | 1.6L Turbo Strong Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.2-litre Diesel | 1.6-litre Turbo Petrol |
| Engine Power | 202 PS | 180 PS |
| Electric Motor | — | 65 PS |
| Engine Torque | 441 Nm | 265 Nm |
| Electric Motor Torque | — | 264 Nm |
| Transmission | 8-Speed DCT | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Drive Options | FWD / AWD | FWD / AWD |
The Kia Sorento gets a bold and upright SUV design that gives it a strong road presence. At the front, it features Kia's signature Tiger Nose grille, vertically positioned LED lighting elements and distinctive LED daytime running lights.
The side profile features a long bonnet, large glass area, prominent wheel arches and roof rails. The SUV also gets large alloy wheels, while the rear design is distinguished by vertically positioned LED tail lamps and a clean tailgate design.
Kia is also offering a Black Line Edition, which adds darker exterior styling elements for buyers looking for a sportier appearance.
Inside, the Sorento focuses heavily on comfort and technology. The SUV is available in six- and seven-seat configurations, allowing buyers to choose between a more spacious second-row layout or additional seating capacity.
The dashboard features a large digital display setup, while premium variants get features such as a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also available.
Other notable equipment includes:
Kia has equipped the Sorento with an extensive safety package. Depending on the variant, the SUV gets up to 10 airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, hill-hold assist, tyre-pressure monitoring and ISOFIX child-seat mounts.
The SUV also features a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors and Level 2 ADAS, adding advanced driver assistance capabilities to the premium three-row SUV.
The new Sorento measures more than 4.8 metres in length and features a wheelbase of around 2.8 metres. Its large dimensions contribute to a spacious cabin and commanding road presence.
The availability of both six- and seven-seat layouts makes the Sorento suitable for buyers with different family requirements. The six-seat version focuses more on second-row comfort, while the seven-seat configuration provides additional passenger capacity.
With the Sorento, Kia is targeting buyers looking for a larger and more premium SUV without moving directly into the luxury-car segment. Its combination of diesel power, strong-hybrid technology, AWD capability, three-row seating and premium equipment gives it a distinctive position in the market.
The starting price of ₹27.99 lakh puts the Sorento into competition with several premium three-row SUVs, while the strong-hybrid option gives Kia an additional advantage for customers prioritising fuel efficiency and electrified driving.
With local manufacturing, multiple variants and a wide choice of powertrain and seating configurations, the Kia Sorento marks an important expansion of Kia's premium SUV portfolio in India
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