2021 Kia Sorento SUV Might Launch in India to Rival Toyota Fortuner
Buoyed by excellent response for Seltos and Carnival, Kia Motors is now aiming to further enhance its UV range in the Indian market. The company is planning to launch a wide range of SUVs in the Indian market in the next couple of years. The 2021 Kia Sorento is one such product, which could be launched in our market. The SUV will rival the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Honda CR-V, VW Taigun, Ford Endeavour and the Mahindra Alturas G4.
Previous media reports claim that Kia is considering the Sorento and the Telluride SUVs for the Indian market. However, the Telluride is designed and developed for Left-hand-drive markets. The company will have to make some investment to make the right-hand-drive Telluride. On the flip-side, the Sorento is available in both RHD and LHD markets. Also See – Kia Carnival Review – Positives & Negatives
Korean automaker, Kia has recently unveiled the new-gen 2021 Kia Sorento SUV. The new model comes with significant design changes and all-new interior. It is based on the new generation N3 platform, which will also underpin the next-gen Kia Carnival. Kia has already started testing the next generation Carnival on foreign land.
The new Sorento is likely to be the Kia’s flagship model in India. In terms of dimensions, the new 2021 Kia Sorento rides on 35mm longer wheelbase and the length has been raised by 10mm. The increase in wheelbase will result in increase in interior space for rear occupants.
The 2021 Kia Sorento now has family design, which we have already seen on the latest Kia products including the Seltos. Upfront is a prominent signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille with integrated full-LED headlamps, aggressive bumper and silver treatment all around the front. The SUV gets floating roof, diamond-cut alloys and dual-tone wing mirrors. At the back, the 2021 Kia Sorento gets all LED tail-lamps, roof integrated spoiler and dual-tone bumper.
Inside the cabin, the 2021 Kia Sorento gets 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, voice command, navigation and others. It also gets the brand’s UVO Connect connected car applications. The new Sorento has an advanced 12.3-inch digital instrument console, 12–speaker Bose surround audio, ambient lighting, Nappa leather and heated seats. The Sorento also gets blind-spot warning via camera and multi-collision brake system.
The India-spec Kia Sorento is likely to receive a 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, which also powers the Carnival. This engine is capable of producing 198bhp of power and 440Nm of torque. Instead of the 8-speed torque convertor, the Sorento gets an 8-speed wet-plate DCT. The global model also gets hybrid engine option.
Video – Kia Carnival Review
