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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.
