Kia is one of the strongest brands in terms of value in India. With solid offering already in the stable, the brand wants to expand, and at the 2023 Auto Expo in Delhi, showed its future intentions today with two grand unveils. The first was the Kia Concept EV9, an electric SUV concept that we have seen before at the LA Auto Show back in 2021. It will form the basis of a future large electric SUV from Kia, and be even bigger than the Telluride that is on sale in the US.
Kia did not reveal any technical details for the Concept EV9, but showcased what the brand wants the future to look like. The exterior is a butch, edgy and modern take on the ubiquitous SUV, and looks like a good basis for future Kia EVs. Based on the elements, the Concept EV9 has a huge greenhouse that makes it seem like an open space. This is exaggerated by the suicide doors on the rear which open up the entire side of the car. The interior is dominated by a 27-inch display as well as eco-friendly materials all round. There are also solar panels on the roof of the SUV.
On the other side, the Kia KA4 is basically the Carnival that is sold globally (we have the previous generation in India). Kia has not confirmed whether the KA4 will be coming to India or not, but one can hazard a guess seeing how prominently it was displayed at the Expo. The KA4 (Carnival) globally is available with a 3.5-litre V6 engine that produces 290bhp and 355Nm of torque. It has two 12.3-inch displays acting as the digital cluster and infotainment system, allied to a Bose surround sound system. The minivan rides on 19-inch wheels and has a tri-zone climate control system, as well as sliding seats. With the rise of the Toyota Innova Hycross, it would be very interesting if Kia brought the KA4 officially to India.