Kia teased the launches of two new cars, an EV and an HEV, a couple of months ago, and it could finally be here. Here is what you should know about Kia’s latest 7-seater SUV. Attention Readers! Join us on the WhatsApp Community for daily auto news updates
Kia Sorento Bookings Open
According to our sources, Kia has started accepting bookings for the Kia Sorento with a token amount of Rs 50,000. With particular dealers unofficially accepting bookings, the launch is all but confirmed. We have also received information that the launch is set for around August-September.
The Sorento is a 7-seater SUV that would compete with the likes of the Fortuner, Kodiaq, Tayron and Majestor, which means it would be priced in the Rs 45-60 lakh bracket. Kia has lacked a 7-seater SUV in its lineup for quite some time (the EV9 seems too expensive for the general public). The Sorento will fill that hole for Kia. Kia had already announced that the Sorento will be launched as a hybrid, and we could see the hybrid powertrain being offered as standard.
Also Read: Upcoming Kia Sorento – Estimated Launch and Pricing
Powertrain
The global spec model is offered with a 1.6-litre petrol-hybrid that churns out 227bhp & 350Nm. The 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine is mated to a 6-speed AT and an AWD drivetrain. This setup has a claimed fuel consumption of 15.72kmpl (37 MPG). However, to avoid the hassle of the logistics involved in bringing a new engine to India, Kia could simply utilise its 1.5-litre NA petrol engine (from the Seltos) with the hybrid technology. If Kia can extract enough power to move such a large vehicle, this powertrain could deliver much better efficiency figures than the US-spec model.
Kia Sorento – Features
While the engine specifications may differ from the US-spec model, the feature list is expected to remain identical. Some of the expected features include –
12.3-inch infotainment screen
12.3-inch digital driver’s display
Panoramic sunroof
Ventilated and powered front seats
360-degree camera
Level-2 ADAS
12-speaker Bose system
Wireless Charging
Also Read: Kia Confirms 2 New SUVs For India