Kia Sorento Bodyshell Spotted In India: 7-Seater SUV Launching Soon?

Kia seems to be preparing for a big expansion in India's premium SUV segment. The upcoming Kia Sorento has been spotted once again in India, but this time, the bodyshell of the SUV was seen being transported on a flatbed truck. The latest sighting has increased speculation that the Kia Sorento could launch in India in the coming months. The Kia Sorento is expected to become Kia's flagship ICE SUV in India and will likely sit above the Kia Seltos in the brand's lineup.

Kia Sorento Could Arrive Via CKD Route

The spotted Kia Sorento bodyshell hints that Kia may bring the SUV to India through the CKD (Completely Knocked Down) route. This means the Kia Sorento could be assembled locally instead of arriving as a fully imported model.

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The bodyshell seen on the truck was still in its Body-In-White (BIW) stage, which includes the main structure along with the doors, bonnet, and tailgate attached to the frame. Interestingly, the overall shape and side profile of the Kia Sorento looked very similar to the global-spec version sold overseas. Spy shots of the Kia Sorento test mule have been surfacing regularly over the last few months, suggesting that the company is actively testing the SUV for Indian conditions.

Kia Sorento: Design, Features, And Cabin

Globally, the Kia Sorento is known for its bold SUV styling and premium cabin. The India-spec Kia Sorento is also expected to get sharp LED DRLs, vertically stacked LED tail-lamps, roof rails, and large alloy wheels.

Photo Credit: teambhp

Inside, the Kia Sorento is likely to offer a three-row seating layout along with a feature-loaded cabin. Expected features include dual 12.3-inch displays, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof, Bose audio system, wireless charging, dual-zone climate control, and a 360-degree camera. The Kia Sorento could also get Level-2 ADAS features, powered seats, and connected car technology.

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Kia Sorento: Engine Options

The Kia Sorento for India is expected to come with a hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain. Internationally, the Kia Sorento gets a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid setup producing around 261 bhp. Some markets also get a 2.2-litre diesel engine.

Once launched, the Kia Sorento will rival premium SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner, Jeep Meridian, Skoda Kodiaq, and Volkswagen Tayron. The Kia Sorento is expected to launch in India sometime by late 2026 or early 2027, with prices likely to fall in the Rs 35 lakh to Rs 45 lakh range.