KIA Sportage

In recent times, we have witnessed the rising demand for SUVs among first-time car buyers in India. Due to the rising economy, customers are now ready to shed extra to drive home a new SUV instead of a hatchback. In fact, reports reveal that one third of first time car buyers in India now opt for SUVs. The compact SUVs are a hot favorite among 1st time car buyers, as these models are now designed and developed to suit city driving. In the next 1 year, a total of 4 new cars in the compact SUV segment will be launched in the country.  Upcoming Small SUVs Model Name Launch Date Mahindra XUV 3XO April 29, 2024 Nissan Magnite Facelift Late 2024 Kia Clavis Early 2025 Skoda Compact SUV March 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO The homegrown UV maker, Mahindra, will introduce the heavily updated version of the XUV300 compact SUV on April 29, 2024. It will be called the new Mahindra XUV 3XO and will be positioned against the likes of the Maruti Brezza, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue and the Kia Sonet. With updates, Mahindra will make the compact SUV more desirable as it will be loaded with several segment-leading features. The SUV will come with a panoramic sunroof, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, a 10.25-inch digital driver's display, dual-zone climate control, powered driver's seat, ventilated front seats and many more. The SUV could also receive an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) with features like autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and others. It will be offered with 3 engine options - a 110bhp, 1.2L turbo petrol, a 130bhp, 1.2-litre direct injection turbo petrol and a 117bhp, 1.5L turbo diesel. The direct injection turbo-petrol engine will also receive an Aisin-sourced 6-speed torque convertor automatic.  Nissan Magnite Facelift The next model in our list of upcoming small SUVs is the Magnite facelift, which is expected to be launched by the end of this year or in the first quarter of 2025. The Magnite has been one of the most affordable SUVs in its category, making it a good choice among the first time car buyers. The updated model will receive design changes and an upgraded cabin along with more features. It will have a new front design, new alloys and updated bumpers. The SUV will receive an electric sunroof, 6 airbags, hill start assist, ESC, traction control, and an updated infotainment unit. Nissan engineers are likely to tune the engines (1.0L 3-cylinder naturally-aspirated & turbocharged) to extract more power and torque.  Kia Clavis The Korean automaker will launch an all-new compact SUV, which will be positioned between the Sonet and the Seltos. Rumoured to be called the Kia Clavis, the new SUV is scheduled to be launched in early 2025. It will be marketed as a lifestyle SUV and will come with a boxy & rugged styling. The small SUV will be offered with both ICE and electric powertrain options. The ICE version is expected to receive a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine that produces 118bhp and 172Nm of torque. The electric version is rumoured to be called the Kia EV2 and is expected to offer a range of up to 400km on a single charge. It will be equipped with several segment-leading features like a panoramic sunroof, front parking sensors, advanced driver assistance system, ventilated front seats and others.  Skoda Compact SUV Skoda has officially announced that it will enter the crowded sub-4 meter SUV category in the first quarter of 2024. This Skoda compact SUV will rival the likes of the Maruti Brezza, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and the Mahindra XUV300. It is likely to make its global debut at the 2025 BHarat Mobility Show, which is scheduled to happen in January. The small SUV is also likely to be exported to select international markets including South America, Africa and South-East Asia. It will be based on the VW Group's MQB AO IN platform, which underpins the Kushaq and the Slavia. It will ride on a 2,566mm wheelbase, which is 85mm shorter than the Kushaq's wheelbase. The small SUV will be powered by a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine that produces 115bhp and 178Nm of torque. Transmission choices will include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque convertor automatic. FAQ Which is the most selling small SUV? In the last financial year (FY24), Tata Nexon was the top-selling small SUV in the Indian market. The Punch micro SUV was the second-best selling model, followed by Maruti Suzuki Brezza.  What is the most reliable small SUV of all time? Maruti Suzuki Brezza is the most reliable small SUV on sale in the Indian market. Since its launch, the small SUV was known for low maintenance cost and its reliability.  Also See - Top 4 Upcoming Coupe SUVs In India

In order to further strengthen its market position, Kia India is now readying 3 all-new products for the Indian market. The company will introduce the new-gen Carnival and the EV9 electric SUV in our market before the end of this year. Early next year, the Korean brand will introduce an all-new compact SUV - rumoured to be called the Kia Clavis. The small SUV has been caught testing numerous times on the Indian roads, revealing some interesting details. In this article, we listed a few of the top features to be offered on the upcoming Kia Clavis. Kia Clavis Top Features 1. Panoramic Sunroof The new Clavis SUV will be positioned between the Sonet and Seltos in Kia India line-up. The spy images reveal that the new sub-4 meter SUV will be equipped with a panoramic sunroof, which will give it a competitive advantage. Most of the compact SUVs (below sub-4 meter SUV category) are equipped with single-pane sunroof. In fact, the VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and the Honda Elevate are offered with a single-pane sunroof. 2. ADAS Tech The spy images show the addition of a radar module at the front, which confirms that the Kia Clavis will be equipped with ADAS tech. It is likely to offer features like autonomous emergency braking, lane assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and others. 3. More Safety Features The new Kia Clavis will be offered with a wide range of safety and security features such as six airbags, ABS with EBD, a 360-degree surround view camera, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), front parking sensors and rear disc brakes. 4. Ventilated & powered front seats Previous spy images reveal that the new Clavis will be equipped with ventilated front seats. The button for the ventilated seat is placed right next to the interior door handles. Adding to it, the SUV will also receive a powered driver's seat. 5. Both ICE & Electric Powertrains The Kia Clavis compact SUV will come with both ICE and electric powertrain options. The ICE version is likely to arrive in early 2025, followed by EV in late next year. The Clavis could also be the brand's first model to feature a hybrid powertrain in India. It is expected to be powered by a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine that produces 120PS and 200Nm of torque. Both manual and automatic gearbox options are likely to be on offer. The EV is expected to be fitted with a battery pack of around 40-45kWh with a front-axle mounted electric motor. We expect the new model to offer a range of around 350km to 400km on a single charge. Also See - Kia Clavis Compact SUV - What To Expect?

The Kia Carens has received a 3-star crash test rating by Global NCAP under its #safercarforindia campaign. For people not in the know, the Carens was tested by Global NCAP in 2022. This time, the MPV has been tested under the new protocols which were introduced sometime in 2022. What's interesting is that the Kia Carens was tested twice under the new safety norms, and it scored zero starts for adult occupant protection in one of the tests. Kia Carens Adult Protection Test Result The Carens manufactured between May 2, 2023 and December 11, 2023 was tested by GNCAP. This model scored zero-star rating for adult occupancy protection (AOP). The GNCAP stated that the driver's neck showed poor protection. The MPV offered marginal protection to the driver's chest, and knees of both front occupants.  Kia has improved the restraint systems, and the Carens made after December 11, 2023 showed a remarkable improvement in adult occupancy protection. The MPV scored 3-star crash test rating with a score of 22.07 points out of a max 34. However, Global NCAP was not satisfied with the performance of the Carens, as it offers six airbags as standard. GNCAP report stated that the bodyshell integrity in the front impacts was found unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings. The MPV was not tested for side pole impact due to the 3-star rating. The MPV comes with seatbelt reminders for all three rows. Carens Child Occupancy Protection Test In the first round of the test, the Carens MPV scored a 4-star safety rating in the crash test. It scored 40.92 points out of a maximum 49 in the child occupancy protection test. In the second test, due to an improved restraint system, the MPV showed improved protection for the three-year old dummy. The MPV scored a total of 41 out a maximum 49 points, scoring a total of 5-star child occupancy protection rating.  The Kia Carens is equipped with six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, three-point seat belts for all seats, rear disc brakes, and ISOFIX anchors. Also See - Mahindra Bolero Neo Scores One Star In Global NCAP Crash Test

Kia Motors is preparing to bring several affordable EV models in its global lineup. After unveiling the EV3, EV4, and EV5, the South Korean manufacturer is said to be working on a small and affordable electric SUV, named EV2. Recently, a video shared by 'Shorts Car' surfaced online, where a new Kia Clavis electric SUV or EV2 was spotted testing. Kia Clavis EV: Design and Features Based on the video, the upcoming EV has a boxy appearance. Upfront, it features vertically positioned LED DRLs. The side profile has cladding, black-coloured ORVMs, bold alloy wheels, and roof rails. The cabin of the small SUV is likely to receive a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, ventilated front seats, USB charging ports, rear AC vents, and a foldable central armrest. Safety features might comprise 6 airbags, a 360-degree camera, 12 parking sensors, a Level 1 ADAS suite, and four-wheel disc brakes. Battery Details The specifications for the upcoming Kia EV2 are still under wraps. However, the brand will soon share the battery details. Apart from its electric variant, Kia will also offer an Internal Combustion Engine model. This ICE variant is expected to come equipped with a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, producing a maximum power of 118 bhp with 172 Nm of peak torque. Transmission duties will be handled by a 6-speed iMT or a 7-speed DCT gearbox. Expected Price The upcoming Kia EV2 will be marked as the brand's most affordable EV with an expected price of $14,500 (Rs 12.51 lakh). Its production will start sometime in 2025. Also Read: 2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire to Offer More Features than Swift