Kia Sorento vs rivals: Specifications and price compared

With the launch of the Sorento, Kia India has forayed into the premium three-row SUV segment. It sits on Kia’s N3 platform and sits above the Seltos in the brand’s portfolio in India. In this article, we compare the Sorento’s on-paper specifications and price against rivals including the Jeep Meridian, Volkswagen Tayron, and the Skoda Kodiaq.

Kia Sorento vs rivals: Dimensions

Sorento’s dimensions are the highest in its class

Kia Sorento vs rivals: Powertrain options
	Kia Sorento	Volkswagen Tayron	Skoda Kodiaq	Jeep Meridian
Length (mm)	4,815	4,792	4,758	4,769
Width (mm)	1,900	1,866	1,864	1,859
Height (mm)	1,785	1,665	1,679	1,698
Wheelbase (mm)	2,815	2,789	2,791	2,782
Ground clearance (mm)	TBC	TBC	192	214
Wheel size (inch)	18-19	19	18	18
Height (mm)	1,785	1,665	1,679	1,698

By a fair margin, the Kia Sorento is the largest SUV in its class in every dimension. Additionally, it’s the only SUV here to come with both 18 and 19-inch wheels; the Tayron comes with 19-inch wheels as standard, but the Kodiaq and Meridian come with smaller 18-inch rims.

Kia Sorento vs rivals: Powertrain options

Only the Sorento gets petrol and diesel engines

Kia Sorento vs rivals: Powertrain options
	Kia Sorento	Volkswagen Tayron	Skoda Kodiaq	Jeep Meridian
Engine	1.6 strong-hybrid \| 2.2 turbo-diesel	2.0 turbo-petrol	2.0 turbo-petrol	2.0 turbo-diesel
Engine power (hp)	180 \| 193	204	204	170
Torque (Nm)	265 \| 442	320	320	350
E-motor power (hp)*	65	–	–	–
E-motor torque (Nm)*	264	–	–	–
Transmission	6AT \| 8DCT	7DCT	7DCT	6MT / 9AT
Drive layout	FWD/AWD \| FWD/AWD	AWD	AWD	FWD / 4WD

*E-motor exclusive to Sorento strong-hybrid

The Kia Sorento is the only SUV in the segment to offer a strong-hybrid petrol engine alongside a diesel engine. On the other hand, the rest of the models here are powered by either a petrol or a diesel engine. Secondly, depending on the variant, the Sorento gets either an FWD or an AWD layout; the Kodiaq and Tayron get AWD as standard, and the Meridian offers a segment-only 4WD layout apart from an FWD option.

Comparing petrol-powered models, the Sorento, Kodiaq, and the Tayron utilise a direct-injection turbo-petrol mill. But only the Sorento’s unit is paired with a strong-hybrid system here. Until Kia confirms the combined power output figures of the Sorento hybrid, it’s the Kodiaq and Tayron with the highest power output, and they’re both powered by the same engine.

Taking diesel power into consideration, the Sorento’s slightly larger unit delivers much higher output figures in comparison to the Meridian. Meanwhile, the Meridian is the only SUV here to offer a manual gearbox, while the rest of the SUVs here come solely with an automatic gearbox.

Kia Sorento vs rivals: Prices

Sorento is the second most affordable in its class

Kia Sorento vs rivals: Prices
	Kia Sorento	Volkswagen Tayron	Skoda Kodiaq	Jeep Meridian
Price (Rs Lakh)	27.99 – 40.39	41.99 – 47.74	36.99 – 46.99	23.33-37.92

The Sorento’s Rs 27.99 lakh starting price makes it the second most affordable SUV after the Jeep Meridian. Like the Meridian, the Sorento is heavily localised, helping its price range be on par with rivals here. On the other hand, the CKD-built Kodiaq and Tayron begin at a higher price point, with the latter’s top-end variant being the most expensive here.

Notably, a core difference between the SUVs is the seating configurations on offer. Depending on the variant chosen, the Meridian, Kodiaq, and Tayron come with either a 5- or a 7-seat configuration. But the Sorento gets a 7-and 6-seater configuration, with segment-only captain chairs for the latter option.

All prices are ex-showroom, India