The new Kia Sorento SUV is now even more real. On July 29, Kia India released a teaser featuring a picture of the coastal town of Sorrento, Italy, a subtle hint that the brand’s next major SUV will be called Sorento in India. It puts to rest months of speculation about what Kia would name its flagship vehicle.
The more important news is what’s already going on at showrooms. Several dealerships have already begun to take unofficial bookings, even before the official word from Kia. The amount of tokens is not predetermined. It is subject to the discretion of the dealer and can range from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000. If you’re eager to get in early, it’s best to contact your local Kia dealer directly as there is no universal process at this time.
Where the Sorento fits in Kia’s lineup
Kia’s biggest SUV in India right now is the Carens. The Sorento does that. It will be a full-size, three-row SUV that will sit above the Seltos and Carens, and is expected to be Kia’s flagship petrol-hybrid SUV in the country. It measures around 4.8 metres in length and 1.9 metres in width which is a significant increase in size compared to the cars Kia offers here today, more like a Skoda Kodiaq or Toyota Fortuner.
The power will be generated by a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid engine and electric motor which combine to produce nearly 227 hp and 350 Nm of torque, via a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Globally, Kia offers the Sorento in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive. India is likely to get both.
Expected price and launch date
Kia has not revealed the price of the car yet, but the estimates are in the range of Rs 40 lakh to Rs 45 lakh with the highest-spec model possibly going up to Rs 50 lakh ex-showroom. That puts the Sorento up against the Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tayron and MG Gloster.
Dealer sources are not entirely in accord on timing. Some say it will be launched in August-September 2026 while others suggest October-November, which is the best time to sell large SUVs in India. The name teaser is out and bookings have quietly started. An official announcement from Kia is not far behind.
Should you book the upcoming Kia Sorento SUV now?
If you’re really interested in this one, don’t hesitate to ask your dealer what the token amount is, it’s not a big deal at this point and it will just get your name on the list. However, the price, variants and the actual launch date remain unconfirmed, so it’s best to wait for Kia’s official announcement before making a decision.
