Kia India has increased its product aggression in the Indian market. Starting with the launch of the second generation Kia Seltos, the company is expected to launch the Sciros EV, Seltos Hybrid and Sorento SUV soon. When launched, the Sorento SUV is likely to be positioned above the Seltos as the brand’s flagship ICE SUV.
Testing of the Sorento has started quite some time ago and this suggests that Kia India is aiming for some kind of local production. Recently, the body shell of the upcoming Kia Sorento has been spotted atop a flatbed truck, spotted by Twitter user Aditya, suggesting that it may take the CKD route instead of full local production. let’s take a closer look.
New Kia Sorento bodyshell spied
Currently, Kia’s ICE SUV lineup is topped with the Seltos and the company is working on a new ICE flagship SUV. When launched, it will take on the likes of the VW Teron R Line, Skoda Kodiaq, Jeep Meridian and other similar premium monocoque SUVs. Price wise, it will compete with ladder frame SUVs like Toyota Fortuner and MG Magister.
Test mules of the Kia Sorento have been spotted and most recently, we could see the Sorento bodyshell being carried on a flatbed truck. This suggests the possibility that this is a CKD model that was brought to India as a knock down kit and assembled here. We can see doors tied to pillars so that they do not open during transportation.
In this structure the tailgate, doors, bonnet and other elements are welded onto the exoskeleton. Which is usually done in the early stages of production. This structure is still in BIW stage (body in white). This reveals the side profile of the upcoming Kia Sorento, which looks almost identical to the global model.
what to expect?
Dimension-wise, the Kia Sorento measures 4,815 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, 1,700 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,815 mm long. The wheel size goes up to 20 inches and the ground clearance goes up to 208 mm. Inside, it will have three rows of seating along with a premium cabin with a host of features and equipment.
Dual 12.3-inch screens with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, second-row sliding and reclining seats, ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof, Kia Connect telematics, 360-degree camera, level-2 ADAS suite, all LED lighting, Bose premium audio system, wireless charging pad, Type-C charger, dual-zone climate control, powered driver’s key with lumbar and thigh adjustments Features like seats, powered tailgate and more.
In terms of powertrain, the Kia Sorento for India is expected to come with a PHEV setup (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) with a 1.6L petrol engine. This setup gives a combined output of 261 bhp and the 13.8 kWh battery pack ensures a pure electric range of around 55 km. More details about the India-spec Kia Sorento will be revealed later and it is expected to be launched by the end of 2026 or in 2027.
