Kia had launched the new Seltos facelift in mid-2023 in the Indian market. Equipped with several segment-leading features, the new Kia Seltos has received an overwhelming response from car buyers. In order to further strengthen its market position, Kia is ready to introduce at least 3 new SUVs in the country in 2024 –
Kia Sonet Facelift
The Korean automaker will launch the heavily revised Sonet SUV in the country in the first quarter of 2024. The sub-4 meter SUV has been caught testing numerous times on the Indian road. It will receive significantly revised styling with inspiration from the new Seltos. The SUV is expected to receive advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) tech with around 7-8 features instead of 17 autonomous features available in the Seltos.
Similar to other Kia cars, the new model will retain 6 airbags, VSM, ABS with EBD, ESC and HSM as standard safety features. The SUV will also receive a TPMS & front and rear parking sensors. The SUV will have a new dashboard layout with dual-screen setup (one for infotainment & other for the digital instrumentation). It is also expected to receive dashboard camera and 360 degree camera system. The SUV is most likely to retain the existing engine lineup that includes a 1.2L NA petrol, a 1.0L turbo petrol & a 1.5L diesel.
New Kia Carnival
Kia had showcased the new Carnival MPV at the 2023 Auto Expo. The fourth-gen Carnival will soon receive a mid-life facelift and the same model is expected to be launched in our market. The new model will receive significantly revised front fascia with a new chrome studded grille and a cleaner bumper with smaller air intake and a faux brushed aluminium skid plate. The recreational vehicle will have new L-shaped headlamps & taillamps with connected LED light bar.
The fourth-gen Carnival will receive a dual sunroof setup and ADAS tech with features like collision avoidance assist, blind spot monitoring, lane assist, high beam assist, adaptive cruise control and others. Based on the new-gen N3 platform, the new Kia Carnival gets a 2.2-litre Smartstream turbo diesel engine that produces 199bhp and 440Nm of torque.
Kia EV9 Electric SUV
Kia India will launch the EV9 flagship electric SUV in 2024. The company had showcased the concept model at the 2023 Auto Expo. It will be the brand’s most expensive and the largest electric SUV. This 3-row SUV comes with multiple seating layout, depending on the variant. The model underpins the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and comes with Kia’s fourth-generation battery technology.
In the global markets, the EV9 is available with 3 powertrain options. There are two battery options – a 76.1kWh and a 99.8kWh. While the former is offered with RWD standard version, the latter is available with both RWD long-range and AWD variants. The RWD long range model with rear axle mounted electric motor is rated at 150kW & 350Nm. There is a more powerful 160kW/350Nm, single electric motor option. The AWD version has two electric motors that offer 283kW & 600Nm. It is claimed to offer a certified range of 541km on a single charge.
