Kia India has officially expanded its premium lineup by introducing the long-awaited Kia Sorento full-size SUV. Assembled locally at Kia’s Anantapur plant in Andhra Pradesh, the Sorento enters the competitive three-row segment to take on established rivals like the Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq, and MG Gloster.
First Impressions & Exterior Design
First impressions reveal a bold, imposing silhouette that reflects Kia’s contemporary global design philosophy. Up front, the Sorento sports a large "Tiger Face" grille framed by textured chrome, flanked by vertically stacked LED headlights and distinctive Y-shaped daytime running lights. Standard 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, functional roof rails, and sharp L-shaped LED tail-lamps give the vehicle an athletic stance that appeals to family buyers wanting a modern, high-riding SUV.
Premium Interior Features & Safety
Inside, the Sorento offers flexibility with both 6-seater (captain chairs) and 7-seater (bench seat) configurations. The cabin features a twin 12.3-inch curved screen setup—one acting as the digital driver’s display and the other for infotainment. Key feature highlights include:
A 12-speaker Bose premium audio system.
Ventilated front and middle-row seats.
Panoramic sunroof and head-up display (HUD).
Level 2+ ADAS suite, 10 airbags, and a 360-degree camera system.
Integrated generative AI voice assistant for natural passenger interactions.
Engine Options & Performance
Kia provides two strong powertrain choices for the Indian market:
1.6-litre Turbo-Petrol Strong-Hybrid: Combines a turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver smooth efficiency, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
2.2-litre Turbo-Diesel: Generates 193 bhp and 442 Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Both engine setups offer optional All-Wheel Drive (AWD) featuring dedicated terrain modes (Snow, Sand, Mud) alongside regular drive modes.
Pricing & Expected On-Road Costs
The ex-showroom prices for the Kia Sorento range between ₹27.99 lakh for the base variant and ₹40.39 lakh for the top-tier trim.
Due to state road tax (RTO) and insurance variations, actual on-road prices vary by location:
Delhi: Estimated on-road price ranges from ₹33.18 lakh to ₹46.72 lakh.
Mumbai / Pune: Estimated on-road price ranges from ₹33.92 lakh to ₹47.26 lakh.
Bengaluru: Estimated on-road price ranges from ₹35.24 lakh to ₹50.29 lakh.
The inclusion of strong-hybrid efficiency combined with local assembly pricing makes the Sorento a compelling alternative in India's premium SUV market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the starting ex-showroom price of the Kia Sorento in India?
The Kia Sorento starts at an introductory ex-showroom price of ₹27.99 lakh for the base diesel variant and goes up to ₹40.39 lakh for the top-spec hybrid AWD variant.
Q2: Is the Kia Sorento available in a strong-hybrid engine option?
Yes, the Sorento features a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong-hybrid engine alongside a 2.2-litre diesel engine option.
Q3: Does the Kia Sorento come with All-Wheel Drive (AWD)?
Yes, both the strong-hybrid petrol and diesel engine options offer selectable All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with dedicated terrain modes.
Q4: What seating layouts are offered on the Sorento?
Kia offers the Sorento in both 6-seater (with middle-row captain seats) and 7-seater (with a bench seat) layouts.