Kia has brought the Sorento to India as its new flagship ICE SUV, offering premium design, advanced technology, multiple powertrain options and three-row practicality. The global SUV has entered the Indian market with an introductory starting price of ₹27.99 lakh (ex-showroom), positioning it in the premium three-row SUV segment.
The Kia Sorento is available in six trim levels in India - HTE, HTE(O), HTK, HTK(A), HTX and HTX(A). The range includes diesel and strong hybrid engines, so customers can choose between six- and seven-seaters depending on the variant. Kia's official pricing ranges from ₹27.99 lakh for entry-level HTE diesel to ₹38.49 lakh for the HTX(A), while the Black Line-equipped top versions are a bit higher.
The strong hybrid powertrain is one of the main features of the new Sorento. The SUV uses a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine and electric motor with 180hp and 265Nm of power and 65hp and 264Nm of electric power. A 2.2-litre diesel engine with 193hp and 442Nm is also available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
AWD is reserved for the higher-end HTX and HTX(A) variants. These high-end versions also get terrain modes for snow, sand and mud, making the premium SUV package even more versatile.
Technology is another key feature of the Kia Sorento. The SUV has a panoramic curved display system that combines a 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Higher variants provide a 360-degree camera, blind-view monitor, Kia Connect 2.0 with over-the-air updates and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.
Safety equipment includes multiple airbags, advanced driver assistance systems and other active and passive safety features. Kia's specifications list a 26-feature standard safety package with seven airbags on all variants, while higher versions have a 10-airbag setup and Level 2 ADAS features.
The Sorento also focuses on the comfort of passengers. Depending on the variant, customers can expect powered front seats, ventilation for the first and second rows, premium relaxation seats, panoramic display, head-up display, and captain-seat configurations. The six-seat configuration is for buyers looking for a more premium second-row experience, and the seven-seat configuration is for those looking for more seats.
The SUV is manufactured locally at Kia's Anantapur facility in Andhra Pradesh. The company has positioned the Sorento above the Carens Clavis in its Indian portfolio and is targeting the premium three-row SUV segment where it faces models like the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tayron and Jeep Meridian.
With a turbo-petrol strong hybrid, diesel engine and AWD, three-row seating and high-end technology, the Kia Sorento is a strong addition to Kia's premium SUV range in India. The price of ₹27.99 lakh is a starting point for diesel; the entry-level diesel version is the entry level for the diesel, and the top-end hybrid AWD variants range up to ₹40 lakh depending on configuration and equipment.
Kia’s new SUV therefore combines the family-oriented three-row SUV with the technology and equipment of a premium SUV. The hybrid technology, AWD, and a broad range of comfort and safety features make the Sorento that can appeal to buyers seeking a more sophisticated option in India’s growing premium SUV market.
