Kia Sorento subtly updated for 2026

UPDATE, 19/01/2025: Unsurprisingly, the 2026 Kia Sorento has been handed a subtle price increase for the new model year and its new equipment, with the range now starting from $54,630 plus on-road costs for the entry-level S CRDi.

That's an increase of just $250 over the 2025 version (applicable across the board), however the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine has been axed from the line-up and inflicted a subsequent $3380 entry price increase.

The extra cash nets buyers lane following assist and a new four-spoke steering wheel with hands-on detection on all variants and an extended ambient lighting package (onto the doors) for the flagship GT-Line.

Australia has missed out on Digital Key functionality for unexplained reasons.

How much does the 2026 Kia Sorento cost?
S CRDi AWD – $54,630 (+$250)
S HEV FWD – $56,630 (+$250)
Sport CRDi AWD – $57,250 (+$250)
Sport HEV FWD – $59,250 (+$250)
S HEV AWD – $59,630 (+$250)
Sport+ CRDi AWD – $62,180 (+$250)
Sport HEV AWD – $62,250 (+$250)
Sport+ HEV FWD – $64,180 (+$250)
Sport+ HEV AWD – $67,180 (+$250)
GT-Line CRDi AWD – $69,540 (+$250)
S PHEV AWD – $71,130 (+$250)
GT-Line HEV FWD – $71,540 (+$250)
Sport PHEV AWD – $73,750 (+$250)
GT-Line HEV AWD – $74,540 (+$250)
Sport+ PHEV AWD – $78,680 (+$250)
GT-Line PHEV AWD – $86,040 (-$750)
* Prices exclude on-road costs

ORIGINAL, 24/07/2025: The 2026 Kia Sorento has debuted in Korea ahead of its local introduction later this year, with the new model set to offer a more safety features, more convenience tech and some very mild design tweaks.

Full Australian pricing and spec details will be announced closer to launch, however we do know all MY26 Sorentos will come with the Hyundai Group’s latest ‘Lane Following Assist 2’ system as well as steering wheel grip detection to ensure drivers maintain control at all times.

Mid-range grades (Sport and up) will also seemingly score digital key compatibility and touch-type exterior door handles.

The cosmetic enhancements meantime will only extend to a new four-spoke steering wheel, expanded ambient lighting suite for the flagship GT-line and a new 19-inch alloy wheel design for select hybrid variants.

No changes have been made to any of the established petrol (3.5L V6), diesel (2.2L turbo), hybrid (1.6L turbo) or plug-in hybrid (1.6L turbo) powertrains, however we should finally see some more affordable hybrids added to the mix.

Odds are the new cut-price plugless variants will be offered on the entry-level S and Sport trim levels if the mechanically-related Carnival is anything to go by, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the penultimate Sport+ got an electrified offering too/instead.

Expect prices to increase subtly over the current range which starts from $50,880 plus on-road costs (S petrol) and tops out at $84,660 (GT-Line PHEV).

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