Kia Sorento Diesel Spied Ahead Of Launch

The new Kia Sorento will launch in India on September 4. Ahead of that date, undisguised units have now arrived at dealer yards, with images from Auto Helper Marathi providing the clearest look yet at the India-spec model.

Its road presence is evident in the latest sightings. The Sorento has been photographed alongside SUVs like the Hyundai Creta and Toyota Fortuner, offering perspective on its size. This particular unit appears to be a variant positioned below a fully-loaded version seen earlier.

Powertrain Details Confirmed

One of the biggest details visible in the new images is the DCT badge on the tailgate. This points to the 2.2-litre diesel powertrain, which produces around 202 PS and 441 Nm of torque and is paired with an 8-speed DCT gearbox. This is the same engine that currently powers the Kia Carnival in India.

The spotted Sorento is finished in white and rides on 19-inch alloy wheels. It features an upright front fascia, a large grille, vertically stacked lighting elements, prominent roof rails, and a relatively boxy rear profile. The latest unit also reveals a light-coloured interior theme, contrasting with the brown cabin shown in Kia's official TVC, suggesting multiple interior colour options may be offered.

Seven-Seat Cabin And Features

This Sorento gets a three-row, seven-seat configuration. The second row is a 60:40 split bench that can slide and recline. Rear passengers get dedicated AC vents and Type-C charging ports, with retractable sunshades on the rear doors.

Up front, the cabin is dominated by Kia's curved panoramic display, which incorporates the touchscreen infotainment system and digital instrument cluster. Other visible equipment includes leather upholstery, powered and ventilated front seats, a Bose audio system, soft-touch materials on the dashboard and doors, and a multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The centre console houses a rotary gear selector alongside controls for drive modes, the electronic parking brake, and auto hold. Storage is plentiful, with cupholders, a felt-lined armrest compartment, and a sliding section for phone storage and wireless charging. Type-C fast-charging ports and a 360-degree camera are also visible.

Third-Row Amenities And Flexibility

Kia appears to have paid particular attention to third-row usability. The latest images reveal dedicated AC vents, cupholders, a Type-C charging port, and a 12V socket for third-row passengers.

The third-row seats can be folded from the luggage compartment by pulling straps. Buttons located in the boot can electrically release and fold the second-row seats, making it easier to expand the cargo area. Even with all three rows in use, the available luggage space appears reasonably usable. A powered tailgate is also present.

This particular vehicle does not represent the highest Sorento specification coming to India. Earlier sightings revealed equipment such as second-row captain seats, ventilated second-row seats, and a brown interior. Kia could therefore offer the Sorento with both six- and seven-seat configurations across multiple equipment levels.