Kia’s planning to bring its first hybrid model to India by late 2026, and it looks like the Sorento Hybrid is leading the charge. After building out a four-strong EV lineup that’ll soon include the Syros EV, the Korean brand is betting hybrids will unlock higher volumes in a market that’s still warming up to full electrification. Makes sense, really. Not everyone’s ready to commit to plugging in, but plenty of buyers want better fuel economy without the range anxiety.
The Sorento Hybrid isn’t exactly new globally. It’s been on sale since 2020 and got freshened up in 2023, so India’s getting a proven product rather than an experiment. More importantly, Kia plans to assemble it locally, which should help keep pricing competitive enough to take on the Skoda Kodiaq and the upcoming VW Tayron. That’s the play here: a three-row hybrid SUV that doesn’t cost luxury-brand money.
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What It Looks Like
Kia’s calling the design theme “refined boldness,” which is marketing speak for tough but polished. The Sorento pulls off that balance pretty well. You get vertical headlights inspired by the EV9, star map DRLs that’ve become a Kia signature, and a big 3D mesh grille up front. Twenty-inch wheels, raised roof rails, and matching vertical tail lamps round out the exterior. It’s confident without trying too hard, which feels right for a family hauler that costs real money.
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Inside, things tilt upscale. The dashboard runs horizontal with a dual 12.3-inch curved display setup handling both instrumentation and infotainment. Below that sits a second touchscreen for climate and media controls, which sounds like it could get busy but at least keeps physical buttons in play. Three-spoke steering wheel, wood grain or metal trim inserts, vertical and horizontal air vents. The usual premium touches, basically.
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Kia offers six- and seven-seat versions internationally. India will almost certainly get the seven-seater, because that’s what moves volume here. Three-row SUVs are big business, and if you’re not offering that third row, you’re leaving sales on the table.
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The Powertrain Setup
Here’s where it gets interesting. The Sorento Hybrid pairs a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine making 177 hp and 265 Nm with a 64 hp electric motor good for another 250 Nm. Combined output lands at 236 hp and 380 Nm of torque, routed through a six-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is optional, though expect front-wheel drive to be the standard setup in India to keep costs down.
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The battery pack is tiny at just 1.49 kWh. This isn’t a plug-in, so you’re not charging it overnight or getting any meaningful electric-only range. Think of it more like a fuel-saver that uses the motor to assist acceleration and recapture energy under braking. Top speed hits 196 km/h, or 120 km/h in pure electric mode for brief stretches.
Performance is adequate rather than exciting. Zero to 100 km/h takes 8.8 seconds with two-wheel drive, 9.0 seconds with AWD. That’s competitive for the segment but nobody’s buying this to carve canyon roads.
| Specification | 2WD | AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Power | 177 hp | 177 hp |
| Motor Power | 64 hp | 64 hp |
| Combined Power | 236 hp | 236 hp |
| Combined Torque | 380 Nm | 380 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | 9.0 seconds |
| Fuel Economy (WLTP) | 15.2 km/l | 14.3 km/l |
Fuel economy, though? That’s the real story. WLTP figures show 15.2 km/l for the 2WD version, 14.3 km/l with AWD. Real-world numbers will come in lower, especially in city traffic, but even 12-13 km/l from a three-row SUV would be solid.
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What It Means for Buyers
Kia’s timing makes sense. The Kodiaq has carved out a niche for buyers who want European flavor without a luxury badge, and VW’s bringing the Tayron to expand that fight. The Sorento Hybrid slots right into that space, but adds electrification as a differentiator. If local assembly keeps pricing in check, say somewhere between ₹35-40 lakh, this could appeal to families who want the efficiency story without committing to a full EV.
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Worth watching if you’re in the market for a practical three-row that won’t destroy your fuel budget. Just don’t expect plug-in flexibility or any meaningful electric driving range. This is a conventional hybrid through and through.
Monojit Paul is the founder and editor of techautohub.com. He covers India’s automotive industry, focusing on new launches, cars, bikes, and market trends.
