5 New Hybrid Cars From Kia For India: Sorento To Carnival
The South Korean automotive giant Kia is working on the development of not one, not two, but a total of five new hybrid cars for the Indian market. These hybrid cars are being developed to ensure that the company has a worthy replacement for the diesel-powered models that it currently has on sale. Now, if you are someone who likes hybrid cars and wants to know which new hybrid Kia cars are coming, then make sure to read till the end.
The most premium 7-seater SUV offering from Kia with a hybrid powertrain will be the Sorento. It has been reported that the Sorento hybrid will be making its debut in India by this year's festive season. This SUV will sit above the Seltos and the Carens and below the Carnival in the Kia lineup. As for the rivals, it will be taking on the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid, even though they will offer two different types of hybrid systems.
Kia will be offering the India-spec Sorento hybrid with a 1.5-litre strong hybrid powertrain consisting of an electric motor and a small battery pack. Internationally, this SUV is offered with a 1.6-litre strong hybrid powertrain. Transmission options of the Indian Sorento could include e-CVT or a DCT gearbox, and it could also get an AWD system as well. Once launched in India, the Sorento is expected to start with a price tag of around Rs 30 lakh.
Currently, the latest generation Kia Seltos is very popular in the mid-size SUV segment. However, to make it more popular, the company is planning to launch a new hybrid version of this SUV in India. As per the reports, the Seltos hybrid will be making its debut around 2027 and will be launched in the price range of Rs 18-25 lakh.
Its primary rivals will be the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Grand Vitara, and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. The next-generation Hyundai Creta will also be offered with the same hybrid powertrain as the Seltos and thus will also rival it. Speaking of the powertrain, the Seltos hybrid is expected to offer the same 1.5-litre strong hybrid powertrain as the Sorento. It will consist of an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, and a small battery pack. The exact power figures have not been revealed as of yet.
Recently, it has been confirmed by Kia that apart from the premium models, the affordable sub-4m SUV Sonet will also be getting a hybrid powertrain. The next generation of the Sonet, which will be launched in 2027, will get a hybrid version. It has to be noted that the hybrid-powered variant will be launched by 2028-29.
The main highlight of this SUV, which will be its powertrain, could either be the same 1.5-litre strong hybrid setup as the Seltos, or it could be possible that the company may develop a new 1.2-litre hybrid powertrain. More details on this front will be revealed in the coming period. As for the other changes, being a new-generation model, we can expect it to feature a brand-new design on both the outside as well as the inside. Pricing of the Sonet hybrid will be around Rs 12-18 lakh.
Another affordable Kia hybrid on the launch cards is the Carens Clavis hybrid. The company recently confirmed that by 2029, the Carens Clavis hybrid will be launched in India. This hybrid MPV will take on the Toyota Innova Hycross and the Maruti Suzuki Invicto in India. As per the reports, it will be priced in the range of Rs 22 to Rs 30 lakh.
Most likely, it will offer the same 1.5-litre strong hybrid petrol powertrain as the Seltos. Once launched, the Carens Clavis will offer all powertrain options in India, including petrol, diesel, electric, and strong hybrid. It could be possible that the hybrid version will boast a revised exterior as well as interior but will continue to offer 6- and 7-seater layouts.
Last on the list is the Kia Carnival hybrid. Currently, the Carnival is being offered with a diesel engine. However, by 2030, the company is planning to launch the Carnival hybrid in India. At the moment, the Carnival in the international markets is sold with a 1.6-litre strong hybrid powertrain, which makes 272 bhp and 367 Nm of torque.
Now, whether the company will launch the same model in India or offer a localised hybrid powertrain has not been confirmed. This MPV will undercut the price of the Toyota Vellfire, which is one of the most popular luxury MPVs in India. It is believed that the pricing of the Carnival hybrid will be around Rs 60-70 lakh