Top News

Kia will launch the Sorento premium SUV in India on September 4, 2026. When launched, it will compete with models like Volkswagen Tiguan, Skoda Kodiaq and even some variants of the Toyota Fortuner. The comparison with Fortuner stands particularly important, as the Toyota enjoys strong acceptance here. It would be interesting to see how the Sorento holds up against it.

For a vehicle to be successful in this segment, it has to have a strong road presence. The Fortuner needs no introduction. It has been around for long, and we know just how massive it looks and the sheer road presence it comes with. The Sorento is a completely fresh face in India. So, it is important to look at the actual dimensions and get a better picture of the relative size difference between the two.

The Sorento measures 4,815 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width and has a height of 1700mm. The wheelbase in its case is 2815 mm. We lack clarity on the actual ground clearance of this vehicle.

Some versions sold internationally have 175mm while others claim up to 208mm. The Indian version is likely to come with a high ground clearance, to suit our needs better.

Now, the Fortuner. It is 4,795 mm long, 1,855 mm wide and 1,835 mm tall. This SUV has a wheelbase of 2745 mm. The ground clearance in this case is 225mm. Comparing the two, we find that the Sorento is 20mm longer, wider and has a 70mm longer wheelbase. This is likely to translate into more cabin room, particularly in the third row. The Fortuner, however, is 135mm taller than the Kia.

For you to understand this difference better, we have placed the Sorento and Fortuner side by side in these images. You can see the difference in size and design. It is the most visible in the side view.

The wheel sizes are different as well. The Fortuner uses 17-inch and 18-inch wheels depending on variants. On the other hand, the Sorento’s top-spec has been confirmed to feature 19-inch wheels in India.

Overall, the Sorento seems to have comparable road presence. Being longer and wider, it will likely offer a more spacious, comfortable cabin than the Toyota. Plus, the Sorento seems to look more modern and sophisticated than the Fortuner. It has a large Tiger-Nose grille, full LED lighting and more.

Kia Sorento will come with a dual-tone interior that will look modern and pleasant. There will be a generous use of premium trims and finishes. The dashboard will have vertically positioned air-conditioning vents at both ends, there will be a chunky four-spoke steering wheel, and a large dual-screen cluster (12.3-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch instrument cluster).

Other features will include the likes of powered tailgate, a large panoramic sunroof, rear AC vents, ventilated front seats, powered driver’s seat, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto and more. The central screen will come with a new AI Assistant powered by Live Generative AI. This SUV will be available in the five-, six- and seven-seater forms.

The Fortuner has a more rugged cabin design. It is not as feature-heavy as the Kia. There are some glaring omissions like the panoramic sunroof.

Kia will offer two engine options on the Sorento- 2.2L turbocharged diesel and a 1.6L strong hybrid turbo-petrol. The hybrid powertrain combines a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and battery pack and will make around 238hp and 380Nm. The diesel engine is shared with the Carnival and will likely make around 190hp and 440Nm. All-wheel-drive (AWD) technology will also be offered on the new SUV.

The Fortuner on the other hand, comes with larger engines- 2.7L naturally aspirated petrol and 2.8L turbocharged diesel. The diesel remains the more popular of these.

Kia has already started producing the Sorento at its manufacturing facility in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. This vehicle will likely get an aggressive pricing in India. Pre-bookings are already open and customers can reserve the SUV through Kia dealerships as well as the company’s official India website.