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Kia seems to be moving ahead with its plans for India’s hybrid car market. A fresh image shared online now shows what is said to be the bodyshell of the upcoming Kia Sorento SUV. The image has surfaced at a time when test mules of the SUV have already been spotted on Indian roads.

Image courtesy Aditya on X

The Sorento will be a major product for Kia India. This is because it is expected to become the brand’s first strong-hybrid offering for our market.

The SUV is likely to use a newly developed 1.5-litre petrol-hybrid powertrain. The set-up will combine a petrol engine with an electric motor. The aim will be to offer stronger fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance. This powertrain will make it to multiple Kia and Hyundai cars such as the Seltos, the Hyundai Creta and the Alcazar.

Power and torque numbers of the Kia Sorento Hybrid remain under wraps for now but knowing Kia, it would be safe to expect peppy performance with strong emission control and fuel efficiency.

The move also signals Kia’s changing strategy for India. Until now, the company has largely focused on petrol, diesel and pure EV models.

Hybrids could help Kia target buyers who want better fuel economy but are not ready to move to a fully electric vehicle.

The Sorento will sit well above the Seltos in Kia’s line-up. Expect it to occupy a space similar to the Hyundai Tucson. However, the Kia is likely to offer three rows of seats and a more family-focused approach.

Pricing is expected to fall in the Rs 25-30 lakh range. That places it in a premium section of the market. It could attract buyers looking at SUVs such as the Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass and top-end versions of three-row SUVs.

The SUV itself is expected to be large. It will have a seven-seat layout. International versions of the Sorento already feature a strong road presence, sharp styling and a premium cabin.

Kia appears to be preparing for a launch later this year. Test mules have already been seen in India. The latest bodyshell sighting suggests development work is moving ahead quickly.

The bigger story, however, is not the SUV itself. It is the powertrain under the bonnet. Hybrid technology is seeing renewed interest in India. Maruti Suzuki, Toyota and Honda have already seen strong demand for their hybrid offerings. Kia now seems ready to join that fight.

Over the next one year, there will be a slew of strong hybrid cars launched across segments. These cars will primarily be SUVs, spanning the 10-15 lakh category with the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx and Toyota Taisor to much more expensive cars such as the Kia Sorento and Kia Seltos. Hybridization will be a way that the petrol engine will survive in the Indian market. along with compatibility for fuel fuel.