Kia Sorento enters India at ₹27.99 lakh with AI assistant: What does the company’s first hybrid offering bring?
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Kia India on Friday launched the Sorento premium three-row SUV at an introductory price of ₹27.99 lakh for the diesel version and ₹29.49 lakh for the hybrid variant, marking the South Korean automaker’s entry into India’s premium three-row SUV segment.
The SUV will be locally produced at Kia India’s Anantapur facility in Andhra Pradesh, with deliveries beginning nationwide from today.
Kia’s first hybrid offering in India
The Sorento also marks Kia’s first hybrid offering in India and the global debut of the company’s Kia AI Assistant with real-time generative AI capabilities.
“The arrival of the Kia Sorento represents a defining milestone in Kia India’s journey as we enter the premium three-row SUV for the first time,” Gwanggu Lee, Managing Director and CEO of Kia India, said.
“We are doing so with one of Kia’s most successful global nameplates, bringing Indian customers the most advanced Sorento yet,” Lee said, adding that the launch brings “two important firsts for Kia India — our first Hybrid offering and the global debut of Kia AI Assistant with Real-Time Generative AI capabilities with the India-spec Sorento.”
What does Kia’s first hybrid offering bring to India?
The Sorento will be offered with two powertrain options, including a Smartstream 1.6-litre turbo GDI hybrid and a 2.2-litre diesel engine. The hybrid combines a 180 PS petrol engine with a 65 PS electric motor, while the diesel engine produces 193 PS and 442 Nm of torque.
Both powertrains are available with all-wheel drive, with the Sorento becoming the first vehicle in its segment to offer a hybrid powertrain with AWD, according to the company.
Built on Kia’s global N3 platform, the SUV measures 4,815 mm in length and 1,900 mm in width, and will be available in six- and seven-seat configurations.
The India-spec Sorento comes equipped with 30 Level 2+ advanced driver-assistance system features and up to 10 airbags. Other features include second-row ventilated seats, remote smart parking assist, a 360-degree camera, a panoramic curved display and over 85 connected car features.
How does Kia AI Assistant set the Sorento apart?
The Kia AI Assistant, meanwhile, is designed to provide real-time information through natural conversations and can respond to follow-up questions. It can also access vehicle-specific information through integration with the owner’s manual and control select functions such as air-conditioning and windows.
“More than expanding our portfolio, Sorento reflects our commitment to bringing globally proven products and future-ready technologies to meet the evolving aspirations of Indian customers,” Lee said.
The Sorento nameplate has been sold for more than 24 years across four generations and has over 4.8 million customers in 132 countries, according to Kia.
Kia India currently operates an annual production capacity of 4 lakh units at its Anantapur facility. The company has completed nearly 1.9 million vehicle dispatches from the plant, including more than 1.5 million domestic sales and over 3.67 lakh exports.