Just wait a little! Kia is going to launch its first hybrid car in India

Just wait a little! Kia is going to launch its first hybrid car in India

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Kia will launch Sorento Hybrid in India by the end of the year, which is likely to have a 1.6-litre turbo engine, PMSM motor, premium interior and a 7-seater variant. This will be the company's first hybrid car in India. Brands like Maruti and Tata have already launched many hybrid models in India.

New Delhi. After expanding its electric vehicle product portfolio with Syros EV, Kia is now going to launch its first hybrid car in India, from which the company is expected to generate higher sales. The company is planning to launch its first hybrid car in the Indian market by the end of this year. Just as the company adopted a top-down approach with BEV, it may launch the Sorento Hybrid in India first. This vehicle belongs to the global D-segment, in which Hyundai had earlier sold Santa Fe. Sorento Hybrid is being sold in the international market since 2020 and its facelift version came in 2023.

'Refined Boldness' Theme

Built on the theme of 'Refined Boldness', the exterior of Kia Sorento Hybrid looks confident and mature, which exudes strength as well as elegance. It gets Kia EV9 inspired vertical headlights with star map DRLs, high bonnet, large radiator grille with 3D mesh pattern, 20-inch alloy wheels, high roof rails and star map graphics with vertical tail lamps, which give the vehicle a powerful look.

premium interior

Its premium interior matches the sophisticated character of the Kia Sorento Hybrid. It has a horizontal dashboard, which houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system on a curved panel. It also has two vertical and two horizontal air vents, and a dual-function capacitive touch screen for multimedia and climate settings. The three-spoke steering wheel with squarish center pad and wood grain/metal inserts in the dashboard and door trims are also design highlights. Kia offers Sorento Hybrid in 6 and seven seat variants in the international market and it is believed that at least the seven seat variant will come to India.

Engine, Power and Performance

It has a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 132.4 kW (177 hp) power and 265 Nm torque. It is accompanied by a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) with 47.7 kW (64 hp) and 250 Nm torque, which runs on a 1.49 kWh battery pack. It has a 6-speed automatic transmission as standard, while an all-wheel drive system is optional. With a total of 176 kW (236 hp) power and 380 Nm torque, the Sorento Hybrid accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds (2WD)/9.0 seconds (AWD). Its top speed is 196 km/h, while in electric mode it can go up to 120 km/h. According to Europe's WLTP, this hybrid SUV gives a mileage of 15.2 km/liter (2WD)/14.3 km/liter (AWD).

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Just wait a little! Kia is going to launch its first hybrid car in India

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Kia Sorento is coming to compete with Fortuner, testing has started, Toyota's price increased!

Kia Sorento is coming to compete with Fortuner, testing has started, Toyota's price increased!

New Delhi. The new Kia Sorento 3-row SUV has been caught on camera for the first time testing in India. It will be one of the first hybrid models from the South Korean automaker and is expected to arrive next year. If launched, the 2026 Kia Sorento will be positioned above the Seltos, whose generation change is due in early 2026. After its launch, it will compete directly with Toyota Fortuner in India, which has been the leader of its segment for a long time.

What was shown in the spy image?
The test mule seen was heavily camouflaged; However, its signature boxy and upright stance was clearly visible. The SUV features Kia's tiger nose grille, T-shaped LED DRLs, raised bonnet, square wheel arches, 19-inch alloy wheels shod with 235/55 R19 tyres, flat tailgate and connected taillamps. The length of the global-spec Sorento is 4.8 meters and its wheelbase is 2,800mm.

Awaiting official details
Although official interior details and features have not been revealed yet, the India-spec version is likely to have similar features to the global-spec model. Expected highlights include panoramic curved screen setup, dual zone automatic climate control, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless charging pad, 12-speaker Bose sound system, UD, hill start assist, ESC, 360 degree camera, multiple airbags and more. A glimpse of the rotary dial gear selector inside the cabin confirms that this is a hybrid variant.

2026 Kia Sorento hybrid powertrain
The new Sorento is available with multiple engine options, including 1.6L turbo petrol-hybrid, 1.6L plug-in hybrid, 2.5L petrol and 2.5L turbo petrol. Kia India is likely to hybridize its tried and tested 1.5L petrol engine for the upcoming new-generation Kia Seltos and 2026 Kia Sorento. The hybrid Seltos is expected to arrive in 2027, while the Sorento is likely to become the brand's first hybrid model in India.

potential price
The price of 2026 Kia Sorento in India is expected to start from around Rs 35 lakh. When launched, it will compete with SUVs like Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota Fortuner and MG Gloster.

Waiting for updated Kia Seltoll
The Kia Seltos may have a 7-speed transmission, but this depends on the model year and engine. Some current petrol variants feature a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT), and the upcoming new generation diesel models are expected to feature a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Petrol Turbocharged Engine: Some Seltos models, which are equipped with the 1.5L turbo petrol engine, can be mated to a 7-speed DCT, as seen in the CarWale listing of a used model and HTX (O) specs.

Upcoming Diesel Engines: The new version of Seltos is rumored to offer a 7-speed automatic transmission for the 1.5L diesel engine, which will replace the current 6-speed automatic. This will be the first in its segment.

Other Transmission: The Seltos is also available with other gearboxes, including 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic and CVT, depending on the engine and trim level.

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