{"slug": "kia-sorento-hybrid-coming-to-india-with-awd-could-this-be-the-suv-to-watch", "title": "Kia Sorento Hybrid Coming To India With AWD: Could This Be The SUV To Watch?", "summary": "Kia India will launch the Sorento three-row SUV on September 4, featuring an all-wheel-drive system and the new Live Gen AI voice assistant, marking the AI assistant's debut in India. The Sorento will be the first Kia SUV in India with AWD, and is expected to be priced above Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom), with petrol-hybrid and diesel engine options anticipated.", "body_md": "Kia India is all set to launch its three-row SUV in the country, namely the Sorento, on September 4. Before the launch, the carmaker has released some teaser images on social media to confirm that the upcoming variant would be equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD) technology, apart from Kia’s new Live Gen AI car assistant.\n\n[Kia](/tech/89439/after-volkswagen-14-billion-tax-evasion-notice-india-accuses-south-korean-kia-of-evading-155-million) has stated that the Sorento will see the launch of the new Live Gen AI assistant in India, where this innovation is set to make its first appearance. The voice-controlled assistant will allow passengers to communicate with the SUV in natural language and thus help them obtain information as well as use certain functionalities without having to use menu-based commands much.\n\n## Kia Sorento: AWD Powertrain\n\nThe Sorento will be the first Kia SUV in India to offer an AWD setup, bringing a new drivetrain option to the brand’s primarily front-wheel-drive portfolio.\n\nThe AWD system is already available on the Sorento in global markets with various powertrain options including the hybrid version. This could make the three-row SUV more attractive to premium SUV buyers in India who are looking for better grip, extra stability, and stronger performance in varying road and weather conditions.\n\nKia Sorento Hybrid Teased Ahead Of India Launch – Pre-Bookings Now Open\n\n— RushLane (@rushlane)[https://t.co/mfvwZlQIcl][pic.twitter.com/Hnt4Bllr29][August 3, 2026]\n\n## Kia Sorento: Expected Engine Options\n\nThe Sorento should come in India with two different options – the petrol-hybrid or diesel powertrain. While it is yet to be known what engines the brand will offer in India, globally, the car comes with the 1.6-liter turbo petrol-hybrid engine producing 238 horsepower and 380 Nm of torque along with the 6-speed automatic transmission.\n\nThe diesel engine can probably take inspiration from the 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine on the Carnival, which generates 202 hp and 440 Nm of torque.\n\n## Kia Sorento: Expected India Price\n\nFor the Indian market, [Kia](/automobiles/112502/kia-sorento-india-launch-on-4-september-check-expected-price-features-and-more-here) is expected to introduce the Sorento in both six- and seven-seater layouts, with the six-seat version likely to get individual captain chairs for the second row. Its larger footprint and versatile cabin configuration should give the SUV a strong focus on passenger comfort and practicality.\n\nThe Sorento is also expected to sit above the rest of Kia’s SUV lineup in terms of pricing, with an estimated starting price of over Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom).\n\n**Also See: Royal Enfield Classic 350 Gorkha Edition: What’s New At INR 2.11 Lakh?**\n\n[automobile](/automobile)", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/kia-sorento-hybrid-coming-to-india-with-awd-could-this-be-the-suv-to-watch", "canonical_source": "https://in.mashable.com/kia/113023/kia-sorento-hybrid-coming-to-india-with-awd-could-this-be-the-suv-to-watch", "published_at": "2026-08-19 12:39:37+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-08-19 13:14:39.397645+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["artificial-intelligence", "autonomous-vehicles"], "entities": ["Kia India", "Kia Sorento", "Live Gen AI"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/kia-sorento-hybrid-coming-to-india-with-awd-could-this-be-the-suv-to-watch", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/kia-sorento-hybrid-coming-to-india-with-awd-could-this-be-the-suv-to-watch.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/kia-sorento-hybrid-coming-to-india-with-awd-could-this-be-the-suv-to-watch.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/kia-sorento-hybrid-coming-to-india-with-awd-could-this-be-the-suv-to-watch.jsonld"}}