Kia Sorento: India's New Tech-Savvy SUV King?

The Kia Sorento has made its debut in the Indian market, aiming to redefine the premium three-row SUV segment with aggressive pricing and advanced features. Starting at Rs 27.99 lakh and reaching up to Rs 40.39 lakh for the top hybrid AWD trim, it offers a sophisticated alternative to rugged SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner.

The Sorento's cabin is a technological showcase, described as 'Carnival-Lite' and significantly out-gadgeting rivals. It includes a panoramic sunroof, digital IRVM, remote smart parking, a unique AI assistant powered by generative AI, digital key 2.0, and an extensive Level 2+ ADAS suite. The hybrid variant, featuring a 1.49 kWh battery, can drive on electric power alone for a couple of kilometers, achieving impressive real-world fuel efficiency over 15 km/litre, even outperforming lower-segment hybrids.

On the road, both the 2.2-litre diesel and the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid powertrains perform commendably, offering good highway manners and refined NVH levels. However, accessing the third row is challenging, and the rearmost seats are best suited for children. Buyers opting for top trims are also compelled to take AWD, which might be unnecessary for city-focused drivers. While its ride is comfortable, it doesn't quite match European benchmarks like the Skoda Kodiaq in terms of body roll and steering feedback during aggressive maneuvers.