Kia has confirmed that the Sorento Hybrid is heading to Indian showrooms, releasing an official teaser of the three-row SUV and opening pre-bookings for it at the same time. This will be the automaker's first hybrid SUV in the country, and it is expected to sit above the Seltos as Kia India's new flagship model. The SUV could reportedly be assembled locally, which would help Kia price it more competitively against rivals.
Where It Slots In
At 4,815mm in length, the Sorento is bigger than both the Skoda Kodiaq and the Volkswagen Tayron, giving Kia a genuine full-size contender in the segment. The cabin is tipped to offer either a six-seat or seven-seat, three-row layout, aimed squarely at families who currently look at the Innova Hycross or similarly sized large SUVs.
A Loaded Cabin
Inside, buyers can expect a thoroughly premium, feature-heavy layout, with the following likely to make the cut
- Twin 12.3-inch display setup
- Panoramic sunroof
- Ventilated front seats and a powered driver's seat
- 360-degree camera and a head-up display
- Electronic parking brake paired with a rotary gear selector
On the safety front, Level 2 ADAS along with a range of other modern driver-assist systems is also expected to be offered.
Design Cues
On the outside, the Sorento's stance is set to be upright with bold overall proportions. Its lighting elements could be arranged in a vertically stacked pattern, while slim LED daytime running lights round off a look that echoes Kia's current global design language. Paired with the premium cabin, this styling should give the Sorento a clearly distinct identity from the smaller Seltos.
What's Under the Hood
Powering the SUV is expected to be a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong-hybrid setup that, in its global specification, produces 238 horsepower and 380 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Whether the India-spec model gets front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or a choice between the two is yet to be confirmed. Official mileage figures haven't been released either, though the hybrid setup is widely expected to deliver strong fuel efficiency for its class.
Price and Timeline
The Sorento Hybrid is expected to launch ahead of Diwali this year, with prices likely starting around Rs 40 lakh, ex-showroom. At that price, it will go up against the top-end variants of the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tayron and Toyota Innova Hycross. For Kia India, the launch marks a significant step toward deepening its presence in the premium SUV space.
