Kia Sorento: The SUV That Defined Kia's Premium Global Journey – Now Set to Enter India This Festive Season - Team Autopunditz - 19 hours ago - 5 min read After more than two decades of global success, the Kia Sorento is finally poised to make its long-awaited India debut. Recent test mule sightings and Kia's social media page indicate that Kia is preparing to launch the Sorento Hybrid during the 2026 festive season (August–October), positioning it as its flagship three-row SUV below the Carnival while taking on rivals like the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen Tayron, Toyota Fortuner and Jeep Meridian. Kia has also teased upcoming hybrid models for India, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its electrified portfolio. The Sorento is expected to become Kia India's first strong-hybrid SUV, marking an important milestone in the company's premium and electrification strategy. Introduction Few SUVs have transformed a brand's global image as dramatically as the Kia Sorento. When it debuted in 2002, Kia was primarily known as a budget-oriented automaker with a limited presence outside Korea. Fast forward to 2026, and the Sorento has become one of Kia's most successful global SUVs, helping the company establish itself as a premium, technology-driven automotive brand. Now in its fourth generation, the Sorento has sold well over 3.5 million units globally, consistently ranking among Kia's top-selling models. Today it is offered with petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains across more than 80 countries. For India, the Sorento represents far more than another premium SUV—it is a statement of Kia's long-term ambitions in one of the world's fastest-growing automotive markets. 1. History & Evolution of Kia Sorento First Generation (BL) | 2002–2009 The original Sorento was developed as a traditional body-on-frame SUV. Key Highlights - Kia's first global SUV - Ladder-frame chassis - Rear-wheel-drive architecture -