Published : 15 January 2024
Read Time : 5 min
Author: Nikil Jonathan
The upcoming Kia Clavis SUV was spied undergoing tests in South Korea for the first time. Kia trademarked the Clavis name in India in mid-December 2023 and reports suggested it could be Kia’s equivalent of the Hyundai Exter B1-segment SUV. The latest spy shot shows a tall and boxy looking small SUV with a similar silhouette as the Exter. Here’s what we know about the Kia Clavis so far.
Kia Clavis Spied – Reveals Boxy Design
The sole spy shot of the Kia Clavis showcases the side profile of the upcoming SUV. Although the SUV was covered in camouflage, we can make out design details such as the upright nose, clamshell bonnet, blacked-out A- and C-pillars, ORVMs with integrated turn indicators, thick body cladding, roof rails, and aero-optimised 6-spoke alloy wheels. Other interesting design details include slight kinks on the front and rear windowline, which reminds us of the discontinued Skoda Yeti. Based on this image, we expect the Clavis to have a similar wheelbase as the Hyundai Exter. Like the Exter, the test mule has minimal rear overhang, suggesting it will fit well under 4 metres in length. For perspective, the Hyundai Exter measures 3815mm long, 1710mm wide, 1631mm tall with a wheelbase of 2450mm.
The boxy design of the Kia Clavis is likely to attract several car buyers as evidenced by the popularity of small SUVs like the Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter. The Tata Punch currently boasts an average monthly sales figure of 13,000 units while Hyundai dispatch upwards of 8,000 units of the Exter every month. The Kia Clavis could eat into the sales of both small SUVs and help Kia India grow even further in the Indian market.
Kia Clavis Expected Powertrain Specifications
The Kia Clavis is likely to feature the same powertrain options as the Hyundai Exter. Currently, the Exter is offered with a 1.2-litre normal petrol engine that puts out 83PS of power and 114Nm of torque. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and automated manual transmission. It also gets a 1.2-litre CNG fuel option with the manual transmission. The Clavis from Kia could also get a more powerful 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine from the Kia Sonet facelift that puts out 120PS of power and 172Nm of peak torque. The Tata Punch, on the other hand, features 1.2-litre normal petrol and CNG engine options that put out 88PS/115Nm and 74PS/103Nm, respectively.
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Kia Clavis Expected Price
The Kia Clavis is likely to make its debut by late 2024 and go on sale in early 2025. Since it is expected to take on the Hyundai Exter and Tata Punch, expect a similar price tag as these small SUVs. Currently, the Hyundai Exter is priced from Rs. 6.0 lakh to Rs. 10.15 lakh, while the Tata Punch is priced similarly, from Rs. 6.0 lakh to Rs. 10.10 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom). The Kia Clavis could be priced at a small premium over the Hyundai Exter as it is expected to offer more premium features as standard.
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