Kia India unveils Sorento SUV, starting local production ahead of September launch
Kia Sorento is the brand’s first hybrid to be launched in India, with the first units rolling of the production line today
Kia India has unveiled the Sorento, the brand's upcoming premium three-row SUV, and announced that the model has entered production at the company's Anantapur plant in Andhra Pradesh. The launch is scheduled for 4 September 2026, with pre-bookings already open through Kia dealerships and its official website.
The Sorento is Kia's first entry into the premium three-row SUV space in India. The Sorento will be Kia's first hybrid SUV in India and pairs the hybrid system with All-Wheel Drive (AWD).
Kia Sorento exterior
The KIA Sorento maintains an upright silhouette with wide haunches, a bold front fascia, and a tall roofline accommodating three rows of seating. The front end features Kia’s tiger nose grille although this one has horizontal slats and LED headlamps accompanied by vertical DRLs.
Kia Sorento interior
On the inside, the Kia Sorento features a dual display setup which looks similar to the global spec and a four-spoke steering wheel. It also gets a multi-function touch panel that can be switched between climate control and infotainment controls similar to the Karens Clavis. The other highlights include electrically adjustable and ventilated front seats, a Level 2 ADAS suite, a head-up display, and a panoramic sunroof. The Sorento also features a first of its kind generative AI assistant. The Indian spec Sorento will likely feature the same dual screen setup as the global spec
Kia Sorento powertrain
Kia is offering both hybrid-petrol and diesel powertrain options. The Sorento is powered by either a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid engine producing 234bhp and 380Nm and a 2.2-litre diesel engine that produces 199bhp and 441Nm.
Made in India
The first locally produced units rolled off the Anantapur line on Thursday. Kia's facility in the district has been operational since August 2019 and has an annual capacity of 400,000 units. The plant has dispatched close to 1.9 million vehicles to date.
What's next
The full reveal with the pricing and variant details, along with a live look of the final production car is scheduled for September 4 2026. The event will be streamed on Kia’s official YouTube channel. Interested buyers can register interest through Kia's dealership network or the KIA website here.
