To be positioned above the Soul.
Kia’s version of the Hyundai ix25 compact SUV has been spotted testing in South Korea wearing heavy disguise. The B-segment crossover is likely to be positioned between the Soul and Sportage.
The front and rear fascias of the Kia version will be redesigned.
While the test mule doesn’t reveal a lot, the silhouette of the car remains true to that of the ix25 and it goes without saying that Kia will rehash the car’s fascias and interior to give it the family look.
The Kia compact SUV is expected to have a premium positioning compared to the Hyundai. Earlier media reports suggest that the Kia model will benefit from a sophisticated multi-link independent rear suspension as against the ix25’s torsion beam setup.
Other premium features come in the form of rear disc brakes, LED daytime running lights and projector headlamps. Dimensionally, the Kia is expected to stay close to its Hyundai counterpart which is 4,270 mm long, 1,780 mm wide, 1,630 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,590 mm.
The Kia SUV will command a premium over the ix25.
The Kia crossover is expected to borrow the range topping 2.0-litre petrol engine from the ix25 which sends power to all the four wheels via a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. The motor develops 158 bhp and 192 Nm of torque. The model is expected to be unveiled sometime next year.
Also read: Hyundai ix25 commences tests in India
Competitors: Honda HR-V, Suzuki Vitara, Nissan Juke
Hyundai ix25 (pre-production version) – Image Gallery
[Spy images from The Korean Car Blog]
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