TL; DR
- Kia Sorento launches in India from ₹27.99 lakh, with diesel undercutting the hybrid at every trim.
- Offers 1.6L strong-hybrid and 2.2L diesel engines, both available with AWD and dual-clutch/automatic gearboxes.
- Gets dual 12.3-inch screens, Marvel/Pixar/Disney UI themes, 10 airbags, and Level 2+ ADAS as standard.
After months of rumors and anticipation, Kia has finally launched the Sorento in India. It sits above the new-generation Seltos in their lineup, right below the Kia Carnival. With the Sorento, Kia also debuts strong-hybrid technology in its Indian SUV lineup. Given its unique pricing, premium material quality, fit and finish, and the virtual absence of competitors in the segment, the Sorento clearly has an upper hand in the market.
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2026 Kia Sorento: Pricing & Availability
The Sorento starts at ₹27.99 lakh (ex-showroom), which is a little over the top-trim of the Seltos, and climbs all the way to ₹40.19 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top-spec variant (the on-road price is closer to ₹46 lakh), placing it directly against the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tayron, Jeep Meridian, and the Toyota Fortuner.
The relatively accessible starting price comes from Kia’s decision to assemble the car at its Anantapur facility in Andhra Pradesh, something the CBUs in the segment lack. Kia dealerships have already started accepting bookings for the Sorento for a refundable token of ₹25,000 (also payable via the company’s official website).
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Deliveries are expected to begin later this month, right in time for the festive season. What’s interesting is that the SUV is available in both seven-seater and six-seater options. Interestingly, the diesel undercuts the hybrid at every trim level, not the other way around.
| Variant | Diesel (7-Seater) | Hybrid (7-Seater) |
| HTE | ₹27.99 lakh | ₹29.49 lakh |
| HTE(O) | ₹29.49 lakh | ₹30.99 lakh |
| HTK | ₹32.49 lakh | ₹33.99 lakh |
| HTK(A) | ₹33.49 lakh | ₹34.99 lakh |
| HTK(A) Black Line | ₹33.69 lakh | ₹35.19 lakh |
| HTX AWD | ₹37.49 lakh | ₹38.99 lakh |
| HTX Black Line AWD | ₹37.69 lakh | ₹39.19 lakh |
| HTX(A) AWD | ₹38.49 lakh | ₹39.99 lakh |
| HTX(A) Black Line AWD | ₹38.69 lakh | ₹40.19 lakh |
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2026 Kia Sorento: Design
When it comes to design, the Sorento wears Kia’s signature Tiger-nose grille up front. Vertically aligned LED headlights, Y-shaped DRLs, wide air inlets, and dual fog lamps frame it, along with an upright, muscular face and strong character lines.
The side profile is dominated by 19-inch dual-tone alloys, relatively thin black cladding along the wheel arches, chrome window surrounds, and tall roof rails, giving the SUV an aggressive road presence. The rear closes things out with L-shaped wraparound taillights, a roof-mounted spoiler that hides the rear wiper, and dual exhaust tips.
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Step inside and the cabin is offered in two dual-tone themes: grey-and-black or beige-and-black. They’re anchored by dual 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment (with the latter tilted toward the driver), a 4-spoke steering wheel with plenty of tactile controls, and a rotary drive selector with a metal finish sitting on the center console.
Climate controls get their own dedicated touch panel (and not physical buttons that Kia beautifully executed on the Syros) below the main screen. Second-row captain seats come with ventilation and slide-and-recline functionality on the 6-seat layout (likely on the top trims), while the third row folds remotely at the touch of a button to increase boot space.
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2026 Kia Sorento: Key Features
Beyond the panoramic sunroof, 12-speaker Bose sound system, and head-up display, Kia has added a genuinely new touch to its latest Sorento. The infotainment and instrument cluster can be personalized with nine Marvel, Pixar, and Disney-themed UI skins. While I don’t see older buyers using the feature, it could surely appeal to young buyers.
The Sorento also debuts real-time generative AI (though it was quite slow in early video reviews), a first for Sorento globally. Front seats get 10-way power adjustment with lumbar support and ventilation. The co-driver seat also includes a boss mode for extending middle-row legroom. The powered tailgate comes with anti-pinch protection and adjustable opening speed.
2026 Kia Sorento: Powertrain Options
The Sorento is available with two powertrain options: a petrol engine paired with strong hybrid technology (first for the automaker’s lineup in the country) and a 2.2L diesel engine. The former is paired with a 6-speed automatic torque converter unit, while the larger diesel engine is mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Both will also be available with AWD.
| Spec | 1.6L Strong-Hybrid | 2.2L Diesel |
| Engine Power | 177bhp | 193bhp |
| Torque | 265Nm | 442Nm |
| Electric Motor | 64bhp additional | — |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | 8-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD / AWD | FWD / AWD |
| Drive Modes | Normal, Eco, Sport, Smart | Normal, Eco, Sport, Smart |
| Terrain Modes | Snow, Sand, Mud | Snow, Sand, Mud |
2026 Kia Sorento: Safety Features
The car’s overall safety kit is quite decent. It comes with 10 airbags as standard, Level 2+ ADAS (with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, etc.), a 360-degree camera system, hill descent control, and a digital inner rearview mirror.
Additional features like auto parking assistance and front and rear dashcams are also built into the factory package. However, not all features will be available on all trims.
Conclusion
Against the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tayron, Jeep Meridian, and even the Toyota Fortuner, the Sorento’s case is quite simple and intriguing at the same time. Nothing else in the segment offers both a strong-hybrid and a diesel engine, paired with genuine AWD, a flexible 6- or 7-seat layout, and a tech-loaded cabin.
I believe Kia has built a compelling SUV here. Everything from the pricing doesn’t punish entry-level buyers, and the feature list rewards top-trim drivers. If there’s a question mark, it’s whether Indian buyers are ready to pay Fortuner-adjacent money for a Kia badge.
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