The Kia Sorento is set to become the brand's flagship seven-seater in India, positioned above the Seltos and Carens and marking Kia's entry into the premium family-SUV space.

Test mules have been spotted in India under heavy camouflage, with a rotary gear selector visible inside the cabin, a strong indicator of the hybrid variant being prioritised for the Indian market.

On powertrain, the Sorento is expected to get a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with an electric motor. The petrol unit produces around 178PS and 265Nm, while the motor adds around 65PS, taking combined output to approximately 243PS through a 6-speed automatic.

Claimed efficiency stands at around 14.8 kmpl for the FWD variant and 13.8 kmpl for AWD. A plug-in hybrid is not expected for India at this stage.

Inside, the India-spec model is expected to feature dual 12.3-inch screens, a panoramic sunroof, powered and ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera, a Bose 12-speaker system, and Level 2 ADAS.

Pricing is expected to start around Rs 35 lakh ex-showroom, with the Skoda Kodiaq and Toyota Fortuner as its primary rivals.