New Delhi: Kia has introduced the Sorento in India at a starting price of Rs 22.79 lakh (ex-showroom). The three-row SUV is the facelifted version of the fourth-generation
MQ4 Sorento, which made its global debut in 2023. It has been quite a popular choice outside India, with the USA market having positive reviews for the big SUV.
For the Indian market, Kia is offering the SUV with two powertrain choices: a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong hybrid and a 2.2-litre diesel. Production takes place locally at Kia’s manufacturing plant in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.
2026 Kia Sorento Powertrain Details
The Sorento has two powertrains on offer. The highlight is the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol strong-hybrid setup, which combines an engine making 180 hp and 265 Nm with an electric motor rated at 65 hp and 264 Nm. It has a 6-speed automatic gearbox that handles transmission duties, and buyers have an option to choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD).
The Sorento is the only strong-hybrid vehicle in India to pair a turbo-petrol engine with its hybrid system. The second option is a 2.2-litre diesel engine, producing 193hp and 442Nm. It is mated with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Just like the hybrid, it can be specified with either FWD or AWD.
Kia offers four driving modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport and Smart. It also has three terrain settings, which are Snow, Sand and Mud.
2026 Kia Sorento Exterior Design
Kia Sorento gets a very upright stance
The Sorento carries Kia’s signature Tiger-nose grille, featuring honeycomb-patterned air inlets surrounded by chrome. At the front, it has vertically arranged LED headlights accompanied by distinctive Y-shaped LED DRLs. The bumper integrates broad central air openings, dual LED fog lamps and a faux-silver skid plate, giving the SUV a more rugged appearance.
The side profile retains the SUV’s upright proportions and gets 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels. Slim black cladding runs around the lower sections of the wheel arches and body. Other styling elements include roof rails, chrome detailing on the front fenders and chrome-finished window surrounds.
At the back, the Sorento gets distinctive L-shaped wraparound LED tail-lights, while the Kia wordmark sits prominently in the centre of the tailgate. A roof spoiler, rear wiper and washer are also included. The bumper at the back also houses dual exhaust outlets and another faux-silver skid plate, continuing the SUV’s rugged design theme.
2026 Kia Sorento Interior And Features
Kia Sorento interiors
Kia offers the Sorento’s cabin in grey-and-black or beige-and-black colour setups. The dashboard houses two 12.3-inch screens, with one serving as the digital instrument cluster and the other as the infotainment display. Unlike the Seltos and Syros, the Sorento does not get the separate 5-inch climate-control touchscreen.
Instead, climate functions are accessed via a dedicated touch-sensitive panel placed below the infotainment screen. Scrollers and a physical button allow users to switch between climate and infotainment controls. The infotainment and instrument display can be customised with nine themes inspired by Marvel, Disney and Pixar. That makes the Sorento the first Kia model in India to offer this feature.
The cabin also has a four-spoke steering wheel with physical controls and rotary scroll wheels. The centre console comes with a knurled rotary gear selector, wireless charging pad, cupholders and push-button start/stop controls, with storage provided beneath the central armrest.
The Sorento offers buyers a choice between six- and seven-seat layouts, making it a unique seating configuration within its segment. The six-seat version gets two captain’s chairs in the second row. The seven-seat model uses a conventional bench. All seats are finished in tan leatherette upholstery.
Up front, the seats feature 10-way power adjustment, ventilation and adjustable lumbar support. A powered co-driver seat with a boss mode can be used to create additional space for passengers in the second row. The second-row seats can also be folded electronically, while the six-seat version gets ventilation for its middle-row captain chairs.
In terms of features, it has a 12-speaker Bose audio system, panoramic sunroof, head-up display and powered tailgate. Kia has also equipped the Sorento with real-time generative AI, described as a first for a Sorento sold anywhere in the world. Safety equipment includes 10 airbags, a digital inside rear-view mirror, automated parking assistance and front and rear dashcams. The SUV also gets Level 2+ ADAS, adding a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies to its safety package.
It sure looks amazing and sturdy like a big SUV should be. On paper, with the features it comes with, it might be giving some tough competition in its segment. It will be competing with the Jeep Meridian, Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron.
