Kia studying India to launch its Stonic and Grand Carnival

Kia Motors is getting ready to officially start its business in India in 2019.  The South Korean car maker, which is the sister concern of India’s second bestselling carmaker Hyundai, made its debut in India at the 2018 Auto Expo in February. As already known, the SP Concept SUV that made its world premiere at the 2018 Auto Expo will go onto make Kia’s first product in India. The SP Concept based SUV will be an India specific product, which will be followed by Kia’s version of the upcoming Hyundai Carlino subcompact SUV that is also slated to launch next year.

While the Kia SP Concept based SUV will be a rival to the likes of the Hyundai Creta in India, the upcoming Kia subcompact SUV will directly rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.

Kia also showcased an extensive range of products from its current lineup at the Auto Expo to study the interest of the Indian audience to plan its future Indian launch strategy. Now, as per the recent reports, some sources have revealed that the Indian audience showed most interest on the Stonic crossover as well as the Carnival MPV. Thus, Kia is now studying the feasibility to launch these two models in India. 

The Kia Stonic is the cousin of the popular Hyundai Kona crossover that is sold internationally. Kia is also considering the Stonic platform for India, as it could churn out other bodystyles in India in the future, as per the sources.

The Stonic is a very aggressively styled crossover with Kia’s new patent ‘tiger nose’ grille, bold angular headlights with LED DRLs. The bold style quotient is upped by a swooping roofline, flared wheel arches and large alloy wheels. The Stonic is also loaded with premium features on the inside.

The Kia Stonic is offered with a wide engine range globally - an 84hp, 1.2L litre petrol, a 1.0L 120hp turbocharged petrol and a 110hp 1.6L diesel motor choice, which is shared with the Hyundai Kona. There are 5 and 6 speed manual transmissions, and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission as well paired to only front-wheel drive system.

On the other hand, the Kia Grand Carnival (Sedona in U.S) premium MPV is a highly spacious five-door MPV that’s offered in 7, 8 and a unique 11-seat configuration choice.  It is longer and wider than the Innova Crysta. The Grand Carnival also gets power sliding doors for the second row, which will be unique in this segment in India an would be an attractive choice for the tourist vehicle segment.  

Kia Grand Carnival gets powered by a 200 hp, 2.2L diesel motor paired with a 6 speed automatic transmission. Being a premium MPV, its features list includes a dual sunroof, three-zone AC, front and curtain airbags, rear cross-traffic alert and much more. 

If the Kia Grand Carnival comes to India, it is likely to sit a notch higher than the highly successful Toyota Innova Crysta.

Kia is expected to bring in 5 models to the Indian car market by 2021.