The Kia Sorento has entered production in India ahead of its September 4 launch with the first unit rolling out of Kia’s Anantapur plant. For Indian buyers, the bigger news is what sits under the bonnet: the Sorento will be Kia India’s first hybrid SUV with AWD. A diesel version will also be offered. Kia has now shown the first official pictures of the India-spec SUV to give prospective buers a better idea of what is coming. Pre-bookings have already started while prices and the full variant line-up are still to be announced.

The company has also released the first official images of the SUV ahead of its launch. Kia is bringing the Sorento into a premium three-row SUV segment. This will place it above the brand’s more mainstream family SUVs in terms of positioning. The company says the India-spec model is being built locally for Indian customers.

This local production also means the Sorento is not simply being brought into India as a finished imported vehicle. More details about its variants and pricing will be revealed closer to the launch.

Kia has not yet shared the complete India-spec technical figures. So, for now, details such as the hybrid system’s final output and fuel-efficiency figure remain unknown.

The diesel option is worth noting as well. Buyers who are not ready to move to a hybrid will still have a conventional diesel-powered version to consider. Kia has not announced the complete variant-wise breakdown yet.

The idea is different from a basic voice assistant. Kia says the system can have more conversational interactions and provide access to real-time as well as continuously updated information. Upon launch, the model will take on the likes of the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tayron and Jeep Meridian.

The Kia Sorento will launch in India on September 4, 2026 while bookings are already open through Kia dealerships and the company’s website. The price and detailed variant list are yet to be announced.