Upcoming Cars from Kia Motors in India in 2021-22
Kia Motors set its foot in the Indian market in August 2019 with the Seltos mid-size SUV. The SUV, within the first few months of its launch, proved how capable Kia Motors is and it also helped the brand set a benchmark and a product standard for itself. The Kia Seltos soon became the most popular mid-size SUV in the country even outshining its sibling, the Hyundai Creta, which was, at that time, due for an update.
Next for the Kia Motors was the Carnival, which was launched earlier this year at the Auto Expo 2020 in Greater Noida. It is, for those unaware, a massive size MPV just a bit dearer than the Toyota Innova Crysta, which is its closest rival in the Indian market. However, unlike the Seltos, the Carnival from Kia Motors has been a niche product.
Followed by the Carnival, Kia Motors launched the sub-4m compact SUV, the Sonet and disrupted the segment yet again. The Sonet follows Seltos’ footsteps and has been proven to be an amazing product with very high demand this year. It even won our hearts when we tested it for our anniversary tests at the Buddh International Circuit and, therefore, it was also awarded our Best of 2020.
Moving on, Kia Motors is hoping to disrupt more segments by bringing some amazing value for money products in the future. So, here’s a list of all the cars that are soon coming to a Kia dealership near us.
1. Kia Rio
Hyundai has recently launched the third-generation of the i20 and it pushes the boundaries of what a premium hatchback can do. The Kia Rio is a Hyundai i20 in Kia clothing, so it’s a premium hatchback that measures just under 4 metres in length. Moreover, despite sharing its underpinnings with the i20, the Rio is a completely different product and is definitely going to appeal to a vast majority of premium hatchback buyers. On the mechanical front, expect the Rio to carry forward the same engine and gearbox combinations as the new i20, comprising of a 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol, a 1.5-litre diesel, and a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with gasoline direct injection. There’s word on the street that the Rio is coming late last year.
2. Kia Picanto
The Kia Picanto is to the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios what the Rio is to the i20. So, it is a mid-size hatchback, which could very well be the entry-level ticket to the Kia experience in the future, when it arrives late next year. The Picanto is already on sale in the international markets, but in the Indian market, expect it to be underpinned by the same platform as the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios – which, then, is the same platform underpinning the Rio and i20 – and powered by the same engines as well. Therefore, a 1.0-litre T-GDI unit, along with a 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol and a 1.2-litre diesel are expected to propel under the hood of the Picanto. Expect the features and equipment list to be a tad bit longer than its outright sibling.
3. Kia Stinger
Where all the Kia cars products discussed above shall target the mainstream Indian buyers, the Stinger would carry a different approach. You see, it is a premium sedan, which is expected to go up against the likes of the Skoda Superb and Toyota Camry, that is in the executive sedan segment. The Kia Stinger is an extremely desirable sedan and it definitely has the oomph to boost the ailing segment. Moreover, it turns heads wherever it goes, as we found out while driving it last year. It comes powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, good for 247bhp and mated to a ZF sourced 8-speed automatic gearbox.
4. Kia Sportage
The last in this list is Kia’s full-size SUV, the Sportage, which is expected to go up against the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and Jeep Compass, as it falls under the monocoque frame category. It is, of course, not an SUV that would be able to conquer all terrains, but it’s definitely meant to ooze style and comfort on the urban roads. We’ve tested the Sportage last year, and our test car was powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine mated to a torque converter auto box. It is expected to arrive in the Indian market by late 2021 or early 2022. Also, grab the latest info on the new cars, only at autoX.
