2026 Kia Sorento Launched At Rs 27.99 Onwards! Gets Hybrid, AWD And Diesel With 7-Seats

Kia has finally launched the Sorento 7-seater SUV in India at a price of Rs 27.99 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards. The brand's new flagship SUV now takes on the likes of the Mahindra XUV 7XO, meaning it enters a premium segment of the mass market.

With the launch of the Sorento, Kia’s India lineup now spans from the sub-4 metre class to the full-sized luxury SUV being the EV9. Let’s explore what the Indian Sorento gets and if this is a worthy upgrade over the Kia Seltos.

2026 Kia Sorento: Price And Variants

The Sorento is priced at Rs 27.99 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards. Detailed pricing is as follows:

All prices are ex-showroom pan-India. *Black Line, ^Available in Black Line only

The Sorento is offered with a wise range of variants across a flexible powertrain, drivetrain and seating options. This makes it available for people with specific needs out of the SUV.

2026 Kia Sorento: Exterior

Straight up, the Sorento is a handsome-looking SUV. The traditionally styled SUV carries butch design elements, giving it a confident-looking stance.

Looking at the front profile, you are assured of the fact that this is a premium SUV. The large inverted L-shaped LED DRLs give it an expensive look like the Carnival. They are also a part of the vertically stacked LED projector headlamps, which sit on either side of Kia’s ‘Tiger Nose Grille’. 

Lower down, the sculpted bumper includes air vents on either corner, aiding better aero efficiency. Meanwhile, the LED fog lamps are neatly integrated into the lower air dam. Below this, the faux silver skid plate completes the Sorento’s fascia.

Moving over to the side profile, the Sorento boasts a commanding SUV silhouette. The long bonnet and large window lines, with the chunky roof rails, give the Sorento its SUV credentials. What adds to the classy look on the side profile are the chrome windowline inserts, contrast silver door cladding, and a design accent on the front door that extends to the front fender. Meanwhile, the 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels complement the proportions of the Sorento’s profile. 

The rear end of the new Sorento includes distinct design characteristics like square-shaped LED tail lamps. The scripted design continues on the tailgate, with the Kia logo in the centre and the number plate housing right below. Like at the front, the bumper also includes a chrome insert, which adds to the upmarket feel.

For India, the Sorento is being offered in 8 colour options: Glacier White Pearl, Pewter Olive, Gravity Grey, Imperial Blue, Magma Red, Ivory Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, and Dark Gun Metal.

2026 Kia Sorento: Interior

Step inside the new Sorento and you will indeed find it to be a lavish place to be in. In typical Kia fashion, the interior quality of materials and fit and finish are top-notch. Most of the touchpoints are finished in leatherette, including the seats and steering wheel. Meanwhile, the beige and black interior looks tastefully executed. 

The dual-screen setup on the low-set dashboard gives it the familiar Kia feel. Overall interior space is on par with the premium SUVs in the class, if not even more. The Sorento comes in 6- and 7-seater configurations depending on the variants you choose.

While the second-row space is generous and feature-packed, the third row is typical of a large SUV. That means it is best suited for children or shorter adults for short journeys. 

The overall interior experience of the Sorento feels well-put together and spacious, which is also thanks to the large panoramic sunroof.

2026 Kia Sorento: Features And Safety

The Sorento, being a Kia, expectedly packs in a long list of features. Infotainment duties are handled by a 12.3-inch touchscreen system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, paired with a 12-speaker Bose sound system as well. Meanwhile, the driver also gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Other feature highlights include powered and ventilated front seats, ventilation for the second row seats, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, connected car technology, smart key with push-button start, powered tailgate, wireless phone charger, powered tailgate and a cabin air purifier.

The safety package includes 10 airbags, ABS with EBD, hill-hold control, ISOFIX child seat mounts, electronic stability program, tyre pressure monitoring system,360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, and Level-2 ADAS features. 

2026 Kia Sorento: Powertrain

One of Sorento’s unique propositions is its powertrain. This is the only car in the segment to offer a strong hybrid powertrain with a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine. The Sorento is also available with a 2.2-litre diesel engine with an 8-speed DCT automatic transmission. Interestingly, both powertrains are available with all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrain options. 

Powertrain options are as follows:

DCT - Dual-Clutch Transmission (Automatic), eCVT - Continuously Variable Transmission (automatic) / AWD - All-Wheel Drive

The Sorento also includes a 220V outlet in the hybrid variant, which includes a three-pin power outlet to power the electronics you need when travelling.

2026 Kia Sorento: Rivals

The Kia Sorento will compete against the likes of the Mahindra XUV 7XO, MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV, the Tata Safari and the Jeep Meridian.

ZigSays…

The Sorento is a typical Kia offering in the segment. Disrupt the given segment with a larger and feature-rich car, which makes it too tempting not to ignore or perhaps put your money down, with hardly any comparison. This was pretty much the story with the launch of the first and second generation Seltos. Showing a premium-looking car with an interior which pampers you like no other in the segment is Kia’s secret to their recent success.

With the launch of the new Sorento, people looking to upgrade from their Seltos now need not look further than its bigger brother.

What do you think of the new Sorento? Let us know in the comments.