In order to further strengthen its market position, Kia India is planning to add more SUVs to its product portfolio. Before the end of this year, the Korean automaker will introduce 3 new products including the new-gen Carnival, EV9 electric SUV and an all-new compact SUV in the country. While the new Carnival and EV9 will target a limited set of buyers, the new compact SUV (rumoured to be called the Kia Clavis) will target the masses.
Kia Clavis Positioning
It was speculated that the Clavis will be the brand's entry in the micro SUV category, which is dominated by Hyundai Exter and Tata Punch. However, the spy images confirm that the new SUV will be larger and will sit somewhere between the Sonet and the Seltos. It will be marketed as a lifestyle SUV and will target a different set of buyers looking for a rugged SUV. The SUV is expected to measure around 4 meters in length, which will allow Kia to avail GST benefits on cars under 4 meters in length & engine capacity less than 1.2-Litre.
Design & Interior
The new Kia Clavis has been spotted testing multiple times in India as well as in South Korea. The spy images reveal a more boxy and rugged styling compared to the Sonet. The design seems inspired from the Telluride, featuring a flatter nose and a flat roof with integrated roof rails. It has big window glass areas, flush-type door handles and dual-tone alloys. The front fascia has the signature Kia grille and a rugged bumper that houses broader air dam and LED headlamps, and front parking sensors. The small SUV will also come with a 360-degree surround-view camera. The rear has a large glass area, and vertically-stacked L-shaped LED tail-lights.
The cabin of the new Kia Clavis will have a dual-tone scheme. The dashboard will be dominated by a Creta-like single screen for infotainment and instrument console. The SUV will have dual-tone leatherette seats with ventilated functions, a panoramic sunroof, automatic AC, multi-functional steering wheel and others. The bench-type seat in the rear has adjustable headrests for the side occupants, and an armrest. It comes with rear AC vents, phone charging sockets and 3-point seatbelts for all three occupants.
Specifications - Both ICE and Electric
The electric SUV will be offered with both ICE and electric powertrain options. If reports are to be believed, the Kia Clavis could be the brand's first model to feature a hybrid powertrain. The ICE version is expected to share the powertrain options with the Sonet, which includes a 1.2L NA petrol and a 1.0L turbo petrol. Both manual and automatic gearbox options will be on offer. The rugged SUV will only be offered as a front-wheel-drive model. The electric model is likely to be equipped with a battery pack of around 30-35kWh with a front-axle-mounted electric motor. The electric SUV is expected to offer a range of around 350km to 400km on a single charge.
Kia Clavis Launch Timeline & Expected Price
Likely to be unveiled in India before the end of this year, the new Kia Clavis could be launched in our market in early 2025. The SUV could make its public debut at the 2025 Bharat Mobility Show in January. The ICE version will target the Maruti Brezza, Tata Nexon and entry-level variants of the VW Taigun & Skoda Kushaq. It is likely to be priced somewhere between Rs 9 lakh and Rs 16 lakh.
