Kia currently has four UVs (utility vehicles) in its Indian product portfolio, including the Sonet, Seltos, Carens, and EV6. The South Korean automaker has an aggressive business plan to expand its product range and sales network, and to increase production this year. Talking about the upcoming Kia offerings, the company will introduce a new SUV in the sub-four-meter category to challenge the Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter. The model, rumored to be named ‘Kia Clavis’ or ‘Kia Syros,’ is likely to debut towards the end of 2024, with a market launch potentially in 2025.
The new Kia subcompact SUV will sit above the Sonet and come with features such as a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera, ADAS tech, and more. The Syros/Clavis could be offered with a 1.0L turbo petrol engine borrowed from the Sonet. There will also be a diesel engine available. Kia India will also bring in an electric version within six months of its market arrival. The electric Syros/Clavis will be built on the E-GMP platform and will feature a few EV-specific elements inside and out.
Kia’s flagship electric SUV, the EV9, will also hit the roads towards the end of 2024. Based on the E-GMP architecture, the model lineup will be offered with two battery packs: a 76.1 kWh with a single motor and a 99.8 kWh with a dual motor setup. While the former will deliver a range of 358 km, the latter will promise a range of 541 km.
The new-generation Kia Carnival will also make its way to the market in October. The luxury MPV will receive comprehensive cosmetic changes and feature upgrades, and it is estimated to be priced around Rs 30 lakh. The updated Kia Carens three-row MPV will be launched in the first quarter of 2025. It will come with some noticeable changes, while the engine setup will remain intact.
Kia will further expand its product lineup with an electric offering, the Carens EV, which is reported to debut by June 2025. The Kia EV6 facelift, which recently made its global debut, is likely to launch in India in 2026. The electric SUV will come with a bigger battery pack along with revamped exterior and interior features.
