Kia Sorento Test Drive Review

The Kia Sorento is a three-row SUV that looks upmarket, packs plenty of technology and, importantly for India, is being built locally. Priced from ₹27.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the Sorento enters a segment populated by established names such as the Toyota Fortuner and MG Gloster, but takes a somewhat different approach with the choice of a diesel or turbo-petrol hybrid powertrain.

Kia has also made several changes specifically for India, including suspension tuning and a choice of six- and seven-seat configurations. On paper, there is plenty to like. Behind the wheel, the Sorento comes across as a comfortable long-distance SUV with a smooth hybrid powertrain and a properly premium cabin.

However, there is one fairly obvious compromise: the third row. It is cramped enough that adults are unlikely to want to spend much time there, and even the available space for children is better suited to shorter journeys. So, does the Sorento make sense as a premium three-row SUV in India? After spending time with it, here is our detailed Kia Sorento Test Drive Review.

Exterior

The Sorento follows Kia’s latest global design language, although its front-end does have familiar elements that immediately connect it with the rest of the Kia family.

The front gets a redesigned bumper and LED lighting, while the overall proportions make it clear that this is a considerably larger SUV than Kia’s more compact offerings. In fact, the front-end does bear a resemblance to models such as the Sonet, particularly in the way the lighting and grille treatment establish the family connection. That said, it is the rear of the Sorento that stands out the most.

The design here is more distinctive and gives the SUV a properly substantial road presence. There is enough visual detailing to make the Sorento look interesting without relying entirely on oversized styling elements. Among the colour options, Imperial Blue stood out the most to us and suits the Sorento’s large proportions particularly well.

The SUV is available in eight exterior colours, with options including Imperial Blue, Aurora Black Pearl, Pewter Olive, Dark Gun Metal, Ivory Silver and Magma Red. Overall, the exterior is one of the stronger parts of the Sorento. The front makes it unmistakably a Kia, while the rear gives it enough character to stand apart.

Interior

Step inside the Sorento and the experience becomes noticeably premium.

The cabin has a posh, upmarket appearance, with two-tone interior options and a wide display dominating the dashboard. The design is modern without making the cabin feel unnecessarily complicated, and there are several practical touches that make the Sorento feel like a vehicle intended for long-distance use. The equipment list is generous. You get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster alongside a 12.3-inch infotainment display, while a heads-up display and digital IRVM add to the technology package.

The front seats are 10-way electrically adjustable, and both the first and second rows can be ventilated. The second row also gets slide and recline functionality, along with wing type headrests. That second-row flexibility is particularly useful because the Sorento is available in both six- and seven-seat configurations. Buyers who regularly carry fewer passengers may find the six-seat layout more accommodating, while the seven-seat version provides the flexibility expected from a three-row SUV.

There is plenty of equipment elsewhere in the cabin too. A 12-speaker Bose audio system, power tailgate with anti-pinch protection, adjustable tailgate opening height, wireless charging and Type-C charging ports are part of the package. The Sorento also gets a Smart Dash Cam with front and rear cameras, over-the-air software updates, personalised infotainment themes and an AI Assistant with Perplexity AI integration.

Some of these features are arguably more useful than others, but together they reinforce the Sorento’s premium positioning.

The Third Row Is The Weak Link

This is where the Sorento’s practicality story becomes less convincing. The third row is quite cramped, with limited knee room and very little under-thigh support. It is not the kind of space where an adult would want to sit for a longer journey.

The raised floor, particularly in the hybrid, also appears to have an impact on how much usable space is available. The battery packaging is a contributing factor, but the issue is not exclusive to the hybrid because the diesel version also suffers from limited third-row space. For children, the third row is more usable, particularly for shorter journeys. But even then, we would consider it better suited to trips of around 30 minutes or less rather than extended highway runs.

This is worth keeping in mind because the Sorento’s large exterior dimensions can create an expectation of a genuinely spacious three-row cabin. The first two rows largely deliver on that promise. The third does not.

Engine & Performance

The Kia Sorento is available with two powertrain options in India: a 1.6-litre Smartstream turbo-petrol hybrid and a 2.2-litre Smartstream diesel – shared with the Carnival.

The hybrid combines a 180 PS petrol engine producing 265 NM with a 65 PS electric motor producing 264 NM. Power is sent through a six-speed automatic transmission, with Eco, Sport and Smart drive modes.

The diesel, meanwhile, produces 193 PS and 442 NM and is paired with an eight-speed DCT. It is available in both six- and seven-seat configurations.

1.6-litre Turbo-Petrol Hybrid

The hybrid is perhaps the more interesting of the two from behind the wheel.

It accelerates from a standstill with very little drama. The power delivery is remarkably linear, so you don’t necessarily feel like you’re sitting in a particularly powerful SUV. Yet look at the speedometer and the numbers tell a different story, the Sorento gathers pace quickly. That linearity is actually one of its strengths. There is minimum to almost no noticeable turbo lag, and the electric motor helps smooth out the initial response. Instead of a sudden surge followed by a drop-off, the acceleration feels consistent and predictable.

This makes the hybrid Sorento particularly well suited to covering large distances, but might feel less engaging if you’re looking for that sporty off the bat acceleration. However, it isn’t trying to feel like a sports SUV, and that is perfectly fine. For a vehicle of this size, the smooth delivery makes more sense than an overly aggressive throttle response. The hybrid powertrain feels composed when you simply want to build speed and settle into a cruise.

The available Eco, Sport and Smart modes allow the character of the powertrain to be adjusted depending on how the driver wants to use the SUV.

2.2-litre Diesel

The diesel produces considerably more torque on paper, with 442 NM available from its 2.2-litre engine. It uses an 8-speed Wet DCT and is available with both seating configurations.

The diesel should appeal to buyers who prefer the characteristics of a conventional long-distance SUV powertrain, and want a more engaging acceleration and drive feel. Having both options also gives the Sorento a broader appeal in a segment where buyers still have very different expectations from their SUVs.

Ride & Handling

The Sorento gets India-specific suspension tuning, which is an important change for a vehicle being brought into our market.

The overall character is more suited to long-distance driving than chasing corners. The SUV feels like a mile muncher, and that is where its strengths become most apparent. The hybrid powertrain complements this character particularly well. Because the acceleration is linear and there is very little turbo lag, the Sorento feels easy to drive over longer distances. You can build speed without the powertrain constantly demanding your attention.

The large SUV dimensions are also something you need to get accustomed to, particularly in tighter spaces and city driving. But the Sorento’s equipment list does help, with features such as parking sensors, a 360-degree camera and a blind-view monitor. It is important to remember that this is a three-row “premium” SUV rather than a performance-focused machine. Its appeal lies more in covering distance comfortably than in trying to convince you that it is a sports car wearing an SUV body.

Safety

Safety is one of the areas where Kia has packed the Sorento with equipment. The SUV gets 10 airbags and a 26-feature standard safety package, along with a Level 2+ ADAS system offering 30 functions.

There are also 12 parking sensors, Hill Descent Control, a 360-degree camera and a Blind View Monitor. Other safety-related hardware includes all-wheel disc brakes, electronic parking brake, brake-by-wire technology and an intelligent electronic brake booster. Driver attention system and individual tyre-pressure monitoring are also included.

The combination of active and passive safety equipment makes the Sorento feel appropriately equipped. For buyers who spend considerable time on highways, the ADAS package is particularly relevant. However, as with any ADAS-equipped vehicle, these systems should be viewed as driver assistance rather than a replacement for the person behind the wheel and should be used carefully in India.

Technology & Practical Features

The Sorento’s technology package is extensive enough to deserve its own mention.

The dual 12.3-inch displays give the dashboard a modern appearance, while the Bose 12-speaker audio system adds to the premium ambience. There is also Dolby Atmos support, over-the-air software updates, wireless smartphone connectivity and 5G connectivity.

Kia has also included built-in applications for OTT, social media, news and shopping, along with Amazon Alexa integration. Some of these features will appeal strongly to technology-focused buyers, while others may simply be features that owners rarely use after the novelty wears off. Still, the Sorento doesn’t feel short-changed when it comes to equipment.

Price In India

The Kia Sorento is locally manufactured in India, and that has a direct impact on its positioning.

The Kia Sorento price in India starts at ₹27.99 lakh, making the SUV considerably more accessible than it would have been as a fully imported product.

Here is how the range is positioned: (all prices are ex-showroom)

The combination of local production, two powertrain choices and six- and seven-seat configurations gives the Sorento considerable flexibility. It also helps explain why the SUV can be positioned at these prices against established three-row SUVs such as the Toyota Fortuner and MG Gloster.

Verdict

The Kia Sorento Test Drive Review ultimately comes down to understanding what this SUV does well, and where Kia has compromised. The good stuff is genuinely good. The exterior has plenty of presence, with the rear design being the standout element. The Imperial Blue colour, in particular, suits the Sorento extremely well. Inside, things get even better. The cabin looks properly premium, the equipment list is extensive and there are plenty of practical touches that make sense for a family SUV.

The hybrid powertrain is another highlight. It is quick without feeling unnecessarily aggressive. Acceleration is very linear, turbo lag is almost non-existent and the electric motor helps make the power delivery smooth. You don’t get the sensation that you’re driving something ferociously powerful, but the Sorento can certainly pick up speed when you ask it to. That makes it a particularly good mile muncher.

In practical terms, we would treat the third row as a short-journey solution rather than a genuinely comfortable long-distance seating area. Despite that compromise, the Sorento makes a strong overall case because of its pricing. Being locally manufactured means Kia can offer a large SUV with a choice of diesel and hybrid powertrains without pushing it into the pricing territory of a fully imported product. And that may ultimately be the Sorento’s biggest strength.

It isn’t perfect, and the third row is a clear weakness. But if your priority is a posh, comfortable and feature-packed SUV for long-distance driving, with six- or seven-seat flexibility and the choice of a smooth hybrid or conventional diesel, the Sorento has plenty going for it. At ₹27.99 lakh to ₹35.19 lakh, it looks like a well-rounded package for the money. Just don’t expect all three rows to be equally comfortable.