\Automobile Desk: South Korean automaker Kia is rapidly working on a strategy to strengthen its dominance in the Indian automobile market. After the Kia Cyros EV, the company is now going to launch its new flagship 7-seater SUV Kia Sorento in the country. Unofficial bookings for this premium SUV, which will be officially launched on September 4, 2026, have already started at dealerships across the country. In the Indian market, this new car will compete directly with already established vehicles like Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq, Jeep Meridian and Volkswagen Tayron.
The company hasn’t announced official pricing for the Sorento yet, but auto experts estimate its ex-showroom price could be in the range of ₹3.5 million to ₹4 million. To gain a leading position in its segment, Kia plans to launch the car with two powerful engine options—hybrid and diesel. Similar to the globally available model, the Indian variant is expected to feature a 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol hybrid engine, producing 238 bhp and 380 Nm of torque. Diesel-savvy buyers will be offered with a 2.2-liter engine, producing 202 horsepower and 441 Nm of torque. The SUV is expected to come with both manual and automatic transmission options, though it’s likely to be offered primarily with a front-wheel drive (FWD) setup in India.
In terms of design and dimensions, the 4,815 mm long Kia Sorento will have a muscular and modern look similar to the international model. The company will offer it in both 6-seater and 7-seater seating configurations. The 7-seater model will have a 60:40 split bench seat in the second row, while the third row will have a 50:50 split option. One-touch slide-and-fold technology has been provided for easy entry and exit in the third row. Apart from this, the premium-feeling 6-seater variant will have captain seats in the second row, which may be mainly available in the hybrid model.
Inside the cabin, this SUV will be equipped with many high-tech and modern features. It features dual 12.3-inch large display screens, one for infotainment and the other as a digital driver console. Furthermore, several luxury features such as a central console with a touch-capacitive panel, a four-spoke steering wheel, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, an electronic parking brake, a head-up display (HUD), dual-zone climate control, and ventilated powered seats make the cabin of this SUV extremely exclusive and comfortable.
