Kia has officially confirmed that the Sorento will be coming to India, following our earlier report that the SUV had unofficially opened for bookings. Expected to be locally assembled, the Sorento will sit above the Seltos as Kia India’s flagship ICE SUV and is also set to become the brand’s first hybrid model for the Indian market. While official specifications are yet to be revealed, spy shots, dealer inputs and details of the global-spec model provide a good idea of what to expect. Here’s everything we know so far.
1. When will the Kia Sorento launch in India
Expected to debut later this year, with launch likely in October
Kia has unofficially begun accepting pre-bookings for the Sorento through select dealerships for a token amount of Rs 25,000. According to dealer sources, the SUV is expected to launch by October 2026, although Kia is yet to officially confirm the timeline.
2. What will the Kia Sorento look like?
Upright SUV styling with Kia’s familiar design elements
The Sorento features a more upright design than the Seltos, with vertically stacked LED headlamps, slim daytime running lamps, a wide grille and a sculpted bumper. Test mules spotted in India have also revealed chrome window surrounds, black roof rails and dual-tone alloy wheels. At the rear, the SUV gets vertically oriented LED tail-lamps integrated into a clean tailgate design and a roof spoiler.
3. How big is the Kia Sorento?
Larger footprint than the Seltos
The global-spec Kia Sorento measures 4,815mm in length, 1,900mm in width and 1,700mm in height, while its wheelbase measures 2,815mm. This makes it 54mm longer than the Skoda Kodiaq and 23mm longer than the Volkswagen Tayron, while its wheelbase is 26mm longer than both SUVs.
4. What will the Kia Sorento’s interior and features be like?
Premium cabin with three seating layouts expected
Globally, the Kia Sorento is available in 5-, 6- and 7-seat configurations. However, the India-spec model is expected to feature a three-row layout, likely with 6- and 7-seat options, which would make it the only model in its segment with three seating options if introduced in India.
Based on the global model and Indian test mules, expected features include dual 12.3-inch displays for the infotainment system and instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a powered driver’s seat, a 360-degree camera, head-up display and Level 2 ADAS. Spy shots have also revealed a rotary gear selector and electronic parking brake on the centre console.
5. Which engine will power the Kia Sorento?
Hybrid powertrain expected for India
internationally the Sorento gets petrol, diesel and also hybrid engine options, but the India-spec model is expected to get a strong-hybrid powertrain. Dealer sources suggest it could use a 1.6-litre direct injection turbo-petrol hybrid engine, although final specifications have not been confirmed.
The UK-spec Sorento uses a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong-hybrid producing 238hp and 380Nm, paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Depending on the market, the Sorento is offered in FWD or AWD configurations globally.
6. How much will the Kia Sorento cost in India
Expected price: around Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom)
The Kia Sorento is expected to be locally assembled in India and is likely to be priced around Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom).
7. Which SUVs will rival the Kia Sorento?
The Kia Sorento is expected to rival premium three-row SUVs such as the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron.