The Kia Sorento seven-seat SUV will gain new technology in Australia when an updated model arrives in local showrooms by Christmas, potentially coinciding with an expansion to its ‘plug-less’ petrol-electric hybrid line-up.
An update for the 2026 Kia Sorento seven-seat SUV has been confirmed to launch in Australia later this year.
New features include a different four-spoke steering wheel design identical to the EV9 electric SUV with an off-centre Kia logo and grip detection, enhanced lane following assist, and ambient lighting in the front door map pockets – all likely to be added to the Australian version.
An X-Line trim has been added with black exterior styling in Korea – but no off-road enhancements – with Kia currently offering off-road-focused X-Line and X-Pro grades in the Tasman ute in Australia, while other models have sports-look GT-Line or GT flagship variants, including the Sorento.
MORE: 2024 Kia Sorento GT-Line Hybrid review
There is also a new 19-inch alloy wheel design for the Sorento Hybrid in Korea, along with digital key functionality and ‘touch-type’ door handle controls for the keyless entry on some variants.
“MY26 Sorento PE will be arriving locally during Q4 [October to December 2025],” a Kia Australia spokesperson said. “Any potential feature upgrades will be confirmed in due course.”
No changes are expected to its powertrain line-up, which currently includes a front-wheel-drive 200kW/332Nm 3.5-litre petrol V6, all-wheel-drive 148kW/440Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, front- or all-wheel-drive 169kW 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid, and 195kW plug-in hybrid AWD.
The launch of more-affordable versions of the ‘plug-less’ petrol-electric hybrid Sorento in Australia could coincide with the update, with the electrified powertrain currently limited to the top-of-the-range GT-Line.
MORE: 2025 Kia Tasman drive-away pricing, genuine accessories confirmed
Kia Australia has already launched more-affordable editions of the Carnival Hybrid in base S and mid-spec Sport+ variants to join the existing GT-Line – mainly in response to the Federal Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) – which could be mirrored in the Sorento.
VFACTS sales data shows the Kia Sorento is Australia’s most-popular car-based large SUV in Australia with 5165 deliveries year-to-date, ahead of the Subaru Outback (4771), Toyota Kluger (4611), Hyundai Santa Fe (3212), Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace (2092), and Mazda CX-80 (2065).
However, the ‘under $80,000’ segment remains dominated by ute-based four-wheel-drive models, including the Toyota LandCruiser Prado (15,583), Ford Everest (12,294) and Isuzu MU-X (7818).
More details on the 2026 Kia Sorento – including pricing and specifications – will be shared closer to its Australian launch later this year.
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