With the launch of the Sorento, Kia India has forayed into the premium three-row SUV section. It sits on Kia’s N3 platform and sits above the Seltos within the model’s portfolio in India. On this article, we examine the Sorento’s on-paper specs and worth towards rivals together with the Jeep Meridian, Volkswagen Tayron, and the Skoda Kodiaq.
Kia Sorento vs rivals: Dimensions
Sorento’s dimensions are the very best in its class
By a good margin, the Kia Sorento is the biggest SUV in its class in each dimension. Moreover, it is the one SUV right here to return with each 18 and 19-inch wheels; the Tayron comes with 19-inch wheels as commonplace, however the Kodiaq and Meridian include smaller 18-inch rims.
Kia Sorento vs rivals: Powertrain choices
Solely the Sorento will get petrol and diesel engines
*E-motor unique to Sorento strong-hybrid
The Kia Sorento is the one SUV within the section to supply a strong-hybrid petrol engine alongside a diesel engine. However, the remainder of the fashions listed here are powered by both a petroleum or a diesel engine. Secondly, relying on the variant, the Sorento will get both an FWD or an AWD format; the Kodiaq and Tayron get AWD as commonplace, and the Meridian gives a segment-only 4WD format aside from an FWD possibility.
Evaluating petrol-powered fashions, the Sorento, Kodiaq, and the Tayron utilise a direct-injection turbo-petrol mill. However solely the Sorento’s unit is paired with a strong-hybrid system right here. Till Kia confirms the mixed energy output figures of the Sorento hybrid, it is the Kodiaq and Tayron with the very best energy output, and so they’re each powered by the identical engine.
Taking diesel energy into consideration, the Sorento’s barely bigger unit delivers a lot larger output figures compared to the Meridian. In the meantime, the Meridian is the one SUV right here to supply a guide gearbox, whereas the remainder of the SUVs right here come solely with an automated gearbox.
Kia Sorento vs rivals: Costs
Sorento is the second most inexpensive in its class
The Sorento’s Rs 27.99 lakh beginning worth makes it the second most inexpensive SUV after the Jeep Meridian. Just like the Meridian, the Sorento is closely localised, serving to its worth vary be on par with rivals right here. However, the CKD-built Kodiaq and Tayron start at the next worth level, with the latter’s top-end variant being the most costly right here.
Notably, a core distinction between the SUVs is the seating configurations on supply. Relying on the variant chosen, the Meridian, Kodiaq, and Tayron include both a 5- or a 7-seat configuration. However the Sorento will get a 7-and 6-seater configuration, with segment-only captain chairs for the latter possibility.
All costs are ex-showroom, India