Kia Sorento launched at Rs 27.99 lakh

Kia has launched the Sorento SUV in India with prices starting at Rs 27.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Manufactured at Kia’s Anantapur facility in Andhra Pradesh, the 3-row SUV is the facelifted fourth-generation (MQ4) Sorento, which debuted internationally in 2023. The brand is offering the Sorento in six major trims: HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK(A), HTX and HTX(A), with the option of a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong hybrid or a 2.2-litre diesel powertrain. The higher-spec HTX and HTX(A) feature all-wheel-drive (AWD).

1. 1.6L turbo-petrol strong hybrid: 180hp, 265Nm engine + 65hp, 264Nm e-motor
2. The 2.2L diesel produces 193hp and 442Nm
3. 6-seat and 7-seat layouts offered

2026 Kia Sorento prices

Introductory prices range from Rs 27.99 lakh to Rs 40.19 lakh, ex-showroom

2026 Kia Sorento powertrain details

All variants get 4 drive modes; AWD versions get 3 terrain modes

The 2026 Kia Sorento is offered with two powertrain options. In the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong hybrid version, the engine produces 180hp and 265Nm and an electric motor produces an additional 65hp and 264Nm. A 6-speed torque-converter automatic transmission (AT) sends power to the front wheels (FWD) or all four wheels (AWD), depending on the trim. It is India’s only strong hybrid offering to utilise a turbo-petrol engine, as the others get a naturally aspirated petrol mill.

The diesel variants get a 2.2-litre engine that produces 193hp and 442Nm, mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). Like the strong hybrid version, the diesel is also offered with an FWD or AWD setup.

Four drive modes – Normal, Eco, Sport and Smart – are standard, whereas the AWD variants also offer three terrain modes: Snow, Sand and Mud. 

2026 Kia Sorento exterior design

Tiger-nose grille and vertically stacked LED headlights

The Sorento features Kia’s signature Tiger-nose grille with a honeycomb mesh pattern for the air inlets and a chrome surround. It gets vertically stacked LED headlights with distinct Y-shaped LED daytime running lamps (DRLs). The bumper features wide air inlets at the centre, dual LED fog lamps on each side and a faux silver skid plate.   

Dual-tone alloy wheels and black cladding on the lower edges

The profile highlights the Sorento’s upright stance. The SUV rides on 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels and has a thin black wheel-arch cladding that runs along the lower edge of the body. Other highlights include roof rails, a satin trim on the front fenders, and chrome window surrounds.

L-shaped wraparound LED tail-lights and dual exhaust tips

At the rear, the Kia Sorento features wraparound tail-lights and a clean tailgate design with the Kia wordmark in the centre. It gets a rear wiper and washer and a roof-mounted spoiler too. The rear bumper has dual exhaust tips and a faux silver skid plate.  

Given below are the dimensions of the India-spec Kia Sorento:

2026 Kia Sorento interior and features

Dual 12.3-inch screens with customisable themes from Marvel, Disney and Pixar

Inside, the 2026 Kia Sorento is offered with two dual-tone cabin themes: grey-and-black or brown-and-black. The dashboard features dual 12.3-inch displays – one for instrumentation and the other for infotainment – the same as the Seltos and Syros, but it misses out on the 5-inch climate control touchscreen in the centre. The infotainment and instrument cluster UI can be personalised with nine themes from Marvel, Pixar and Disney, a first for any Kia car in India.

Beneath the infotainment screen is a touch-enabled panel with scrollers for infotainment and climate control settings and a button to switch between the two. The 4-spoke steering wheel with an offset Kia logo, too, houses physical controls and scrollers. The centre console features a rotary drive selector dial with a premium knurled finish, a wireless phone charger, cup holders, a push-button start/stop and other buttons. It extends to the centre armrest, which has storage space underneath it.

Only one in its segment to offer a choice between 6 and 7 seats

The Sorento is the only SUV in its segment to offer a choice between 6 and 7 seats. The 6-seater version gets captain chairs in the middle row, replaced by a bench seat in the 7-seater version. All seats have tan leatherette upholstery. The front seats are ventilated, have 10-way power adjustability and offer adjustable lumbar support. The co-driver’s seat has a boss mode to extend the middle-row space. The middle-row seats can be electronically folded, and the 6-seater version further offers middle-row seat ventilation.

Other features include a 12-speaker Bose sound system, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, a head-up display (HUD) and a powered tailgate. Real-time generative AI is a first for any Sorento available globally. Safety features include 10 airbags, a digital inside rearview mirror (IRVM), a 360-degree camera, auto parking assistance, front and rear dashcams, a tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and Level 2+ advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

The Kia Sorento rivals the Jeep Meridian, Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron in India. 

All prices are introductory ex-showroom, India.