3 Global Kia and Hyundai SUVs Likely To Be Launched in India
For people not in the know, Hyundai is the parent company of the Kia Motors. Hyundai Motor Company is currently India’s second largest carmaker, while the Kia Motors is growing fast and set to become the country’s third largest carmaker. The Korean automaker is ready to enter in the sub-4 meter SUV segment with the Sonet compact SUV. On the other hand, Hyundai is readying the 7-seater Creta SUV. The 7-seater model will join the new-gen Creta, which was launched in March 2020.
Kia Motors and Hyundai have huge cars and SUVs line-up globally. In fact, some of the global Hyundai cars are manufactured in India and exported to some select international markets. Both brands are eyeing to enter into new segments and already have multiple products in their global line-up that could be launched in our market. Here are 3 new SUVs that could be introduced in our market in the next couple of years –
Hyundai Palisade
Korean automaker, Hyundai is seriously considering the Palisade full-size SUV for the Indian market. The company has already started doing feasibility study to bring the Palisade 7-seater SUV in India. It could serve as a brand’s flagship model and will be positioned slightly premium over the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour. It will take on the likes of the Skoda Kodiaq and the upcoming MG Gloster.
In terms of position, the Palisade is 4,980mm in length, 1,975mm in width and 1,750mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,900mm. The diesel version is powered by a 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that is capable of producing 200bhp of power and 441Nm of torque. Delivering power to the wheels is an 8-speed automatic gearbox with a multi-plate torque converter. The SUV comes with both two-wheel-drive (2WD) and HTRAC four-wheel-drive (4WD) options.
Kia Sorento
Korean automaker, Kia has recently revealed the new-gen Sorento SUV in the global markets. The new model is longer and wider than the previous model and is measuring around 4.8 meters in length. It is based on the new generation N3 platform, which will also underpin the next-gen Kia Carnival. Kia has already started testing the next generation Carnival on foreign land.
If launched in India, the new Kia Sorento will take on the likes of the Volkswagen Tiguan AllSpace, Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour. The SUV will be powered by a 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, which also powers the Carnival. This engine is capable of producing 198bhp of power and 440Nm of torque. Instead of the 8-speed torque convertor, the Sorento gets an 8-speed wet-plate DCT.
Kia Telluride
Few media reports claim that Kia Motors is also considering the Telluride full-size SUV for the Indian market; however, the company will have to make huge investments before considering this model for for our market. The Telluride is only available in left-hand-drive version and Kia has no immediate plan to introduce the right-hand-drive version in any of the market. The rising popularity and huge success of the LHD model could prompt Kia Motors to start working on the RHD model.
The Kia Telluride shares its platform with the equally big Hyundai Palisade SUV. The new Kia Telluride is powered by a 3.8-litre V6 GDI petrol engine that is capable of producing 292bhp of power and 355Nm of torque. It is paired to an electronically controlled eight-speed automatic gearbox. Front-wheel-drive layout comes as standard, while all-wheel-drive system is available as optional. The SUV also offer six driving modes – Smart, Eco, Sport, Comfort, Snow, AWD lock. If launched in India, the SUV will receive the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine that also powers the Hyundai Palisade. The SUV will directly rival the MG Gloster.
