Updated on 21.08.2026 – Kia has officially showcased the images of its upcoming 7-seat premium SUV for the Indian market, the Sorento. With this announcement, the Korean auto giant also confirmed the commencement of production of the Sorento at the Anantapur plant in Andhra Pradesh. The primary aspects of the large SUV include its bold and progressive design language and the commanding stance for an imposing road presence. It clearly oozes that premium vibe. Kia has also mentioned that it will be available with hybrid AWD and diesel powertrain options. Hence, the needs of all sorts of buyers can be met.
Even on the inside, the new Kia Sorento will be loaded with all the tech and convenience amenities to the brim. The materials used for the cabin are premium and the connectivity tech is quite impressive. In fact, the carmaker will debut the Kia AI Assistant, powered by Generative AI, with the Sorento for the first time globally. This enables dynamic, conversational interactions while providing real-time and continuously updated information. We know that Kia cars are among the most feature-laden in their respective segments and that will continue to be the case even with the Sorento. More details will emerge in the coming days.
Updated on 05.08.2026 – The upcoming Kia Sorento hybrid SUV is slated to launch on September 4, 2026, in India. Note that it will go up against the mighty Toyota Fortuner as Kia’s flagship ICE product. Sorento has already been a famed moniker in Kia’s global portfolio for over 2 decades. It will come with hybrid and diesel powertrains. The premium 3-row SUV will focus on offering an extensive list of the latest tech, convenience and connectivity amenities in addition to active and passive safety equipment.
In fact, that has been Kia’s strength regardless of the segment it operates in. Its models are among the most feature-packed cars in their respective categories. I believe this will be a huge advantage of the Sorento over SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner. The other prominent models in this class include MG Gloster, Skoda Kodiaq, VW Tayron and Jeep Meridian. Hence, the space is competitive, but the Korean auto giant would like to grab some market share away from the Fortuner, which is by far the strongest-selling SUV. More details will emerge in the coming days.
Updated on 03.08.2026 – The much-awaited Kia Sorento hybrid SUV has been officially teased for the Indian market. For the uninitiated, the Sorento moniker has been a popular product across international markets since 2002. With over two decades of global success, the Sorento is finally making its way to our shores. In fact, it will be the first hybrid SUV from the Korean auto giant in India. In its portfolio, the Sorento will most likely be positioned above the existing Seltos.
Even though a lot of details have not been announced yet, the teaser showcases a broad silhouette of the premium SUV. Going by the international model, it will carry the latest global design language from Kia. In fact, we could see some elements from the Seltos. On the inside, the list of features will be rather expansive. That is something Kia already excels at. Finally, the most pertinent information in the press release is the availability of a pure hybrid powertrain. It will be aimed at maximizing fuel efficiency, albeit the cost is something we will need to keep an eye out for. More details will surface in the coming weeks.
Originally published on 25.11.2025 – The Kia Sorento 3-row SUV has been spotted in India for the very first time. Sorento is a popular model from the Korean auto giant in many international markets. These include North America, Latin America, the Middle East and Europe. Hence, the Sorento moniker is known to many even in India. Still, Kia had no intentions of bringing it to our shores until now. With the premium mid-size 3-row SUV segment expanding rapidly, we might even get yet another new product in this space. For now, let us delve into the details of the test mule.
The images of the heavily camouflaged SUV have been circulating on the internet. We see an SUV with a large footprint, which indicates a long wheelbase. Additionally, the 19-inch elegant dual-tone alloy wheels are clearly visible in these images. Apart from that, it looks like the SUV is carrying the latest design philosophy from Kia with prominent LED DRLs at the front, along with LED headlamps and a sporty bumper. A few news reports even claim that a brief glimpse on the inside revealed a dual 12.3-inch display setup – one for the infotainment system and one for the driver’s instrument cluster. Being a Kia, it goes without saying that the cabin will be loaded with features to the brim.
This is where things get a bit exciting. In the international markets, there are multiple powertrains under the bonnet of the Kia Sorento. This includes a 1.6-litre turbo petrol hybrid and a 1.6-litre turbo petrol with a plug-in hybrid setup generating 238 hp and 288 hp of peak power, respectively. However, the Indian-spec version could borrow the engines from the upcoming new-gen Seltos. This could mean that the 1.5-litre NA petrol engine with a hybrid configuration and a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with manual and automatic transmissions. In any case, it is too early to know anything for sure.
Kia is one of the most successful foreign carmakers in the country ever. Its products have represented affordable luxury, which has been their USP since the beginning. With the Sorento, Kia could once again aim to achieve something truly remarkable by offering multiple vehicles in the same segment, as it already sells the Carens Clavis siblings. Let us keep an eye out for more details as and when they emerge.
Also Read: 6 New SUVs Coming to India in 3 Months – Mahindra XEV 9S to Kia Seltos