Kia Sorento Pre-Bookings Open - Teased Again Ahead Of India Launch

South Korean carmaker Kia has officially teased the all-new Sorento once again ahead of its India debut and has also opened official pre-bookings for the hybrid SUV. The Sorento will be Kia's first hybrid SUV for the Indian market and will be the firm's flagship SUV that is not a BEV.

Interested customers can pre-book the all-new Sorento through authorised Kia dealerships or via the brand's official website. Kia India has confirmed that further details, including specifications, variant lineup and pricing, will be announced closer to the Sorento's official launch.

Select Kia dealerships had already started accepting unofficial bookings for a token amount of Rs. 50,000 last month. Reports at that time had pointed to a launch window towards the end of August or early September, though Kia is yet to confirm an official date.

The new teaser (the 2nd official one from the marque) for the Sorento previews a tall, upright silhouette with a pronounced shoulder line and a wide stance built for road presence. At the front, an illuminated lighting graphic cuts an angular path across the hood, paired with a secondary lighting cluster lower on the bumper, pointing to a two-tier LED signature for the India-spec Kia Sorento.

With the Sorento, Kia will have an SUV that can act as a direct rival to the Toyota Fortuner. However, unlike the Fortuner's ladder-frame construction, the Sorento is built on a monocoque platform, aimed at delivering a more car-like driving experience without sacrificing practicality, and it is set to become Kia's new flagship (ICE) SUV in India.

Power for the Kia Sorento will come from a strong-hybrid setup that pairs a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 230bhp. Kia is also likely to offer an all-wheel-drive system, making the Sorento one of the few hybrid SUVs in its segment with AWD.

Inside, the Sorento sports dual 12.3-inch displays, a panoramic sunroof, and ventilated, powered front seats. Other features expected to come with the Kia Sorento for India include a Bose sound system, dual-zone climate control, wireless smartphone connectivity, and a comprehensive Level 2 ADAS suite.

The Sorento is set to be brought into India in CKD (Completely Knocked Down) form and assembled locally, a move that should help Kia price it more aggressively. We expect the Kia Sorento to be priced around or under Rs. 45 lakh, ex-showroom.

At that price point, the Sorento would offer a strong-hybrid alternative to the diesel-powered Fortuner while also taking on the MG Majestor, Jeep Meridian, Skoda Kodiaq and the recently launched Honda ZR-V hybrid in the premium SUV space.

Globally, the Sorento nameplate dates back to 2002 and Kia has sold over 4.8 million units of the SUV across 132 countries through four generations. It has ranked among Kia's top three best-selling models worldwide in both 2024 and 2025. The Kia Sorento has also picked up international recognition, including the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and a 5-Star NHTSA safety rating.