Don’t rush to buy a new SUV. South Korean car company Kia is developing a premium three-row hybrid SUV for India, which will be based on the Kia Sorento. The model is codenamed MQ4i and is expected to launch later this year. Earlier it was said that Kia’s 7-seater hybrid SUV will be launched in India as CBU (Completely Built Vehicle), but now according to a new report, the SUV will come as CKD (Completely Different Component). This means that all its parts and components can be assembled without outsourcing and then assembled in a local factory in India.

The report also says that the company is eyeing more localization, so that costs can be controlled. If all goes according to plan, the upcoming Kia Sorento SUV will be completely made in India. Kia’s plant at Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh will be the manufacturing hub for the hybrid SUV. If the plan succeeds, the Made-for-India model may see changes both internally and externally.

The engine will be powerful and hybrid.

Full details of Kia’s hybrid engine for India are yet to be revealed, but the company is gearing up to hybridise its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which puts out 115bhp. In the global market, the Kia Sorento Hybrid comes with a 1.6 liter turbo petrol engine, coupled with a 59 bhp electric motor. Together, this set-up produces power ranging from 230 bhp to 238 bhp, which varies by market. The SUV gets a 6-speed automatic gearbox and is offered with both FWD and AWD options depending on the market.

‘This’ SUV will be long and wide

Kia Sorento measures 4,815 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width and 1,700 mm in height, while the wheelbase is 2,815 mm. In terms of dimensions, it is bigger than Mahindra XUV7XO (4695mm x 1890mm x 1755mm) and Tata Safari (4668mm x 1922mm x 1795mm). This car will be longer and wider than the Toyota Fortuner. Being a premium SUV, the Sorento Hybrid will get many advanced features like Level 2 ADAS, panoramic dual display, dual-zone climate control, ventilated and heated seats and a panoramic sunroof.