The 2026 Kia Sorento gets Carnival-inspired headlights and will launch with hybrid and diesel powertrains in India.
Kia has officially revealed the local-market version of the Sorento hybrid SUV, although the automaker won't announce final pricing until September 4. Preorders opened earlier this month, and Kia has now confirmed that production is underway, with the first production vehicle already rolling off the assembly line.
Notably, the Sorento will be Kia's first hybrid SUV with all-wheel drive in the Indian market, making the new model a significant addition to the brand's local lineup.
The Sorento's front-end design borrows heavily from the Kia Carnival minivan. The headlights feature four projector modules arranged within each main lamp assembly, giving the SUV a lighting signature similar to the Carnival's. The front end also gets a redesigned grille with a chrome surround, paired LED fog lights positioned at the edges of the lower air intake, and contrasting protective trim and active air shutters in the front bumper.
The SUV's exterior also features two-tone alloy wheels, a brushed-aluminum accent that extends from the front fender onto the front doors, chrome trim around the side moldings and window surrounds, black roof rails, and full-width LED taillights at the rear. A roof spoiler, shark-fin antenna, and body-color door handles round out the design.
Inside, the 2026 Sorento will come with a surround-view camera, panoramic sunroof, and a new four-spoke steering wheel with multifunction controls. The dashboard uses a curved dual-screen layout, while the cabin combines beige and black trim.
The equipment list also includes a suite of driver-assistance systems, a rotary drive-mode selector on the center console, a power liftgate, and power-adjustable front seats with ventilation. Second-row passengers get window shades and more comfortable headrests, while a separate center armrest is provided up front.
Kia has also combined the climate controls and infotainment functions into a single area on the center console, with physical buttons and a display working together.
Kia has confirmed that the Indian-market Sorento will be offered with both hybrid and diesel powertrains, but the automaker has not yet released detailed specifications. One thing is certain: the SUV will come with all-wheel drive.