- Kia India to showcase three models at the 2023 Auto Expo.
- New-Gen Carnival, Sorento SUV and Seltos Facelift to be unveiled at the upcoming motor show.
- Everything you need to know about Kia India's 2023 Auto Expo plans.
Kia has been quite active in the Indian market since its debut with the launch of Seltos mid-size SUV in the year 2019. With the assistance of its sister company Hyundai, the Korean brand has somehow managed to establish a name for itself in such a short run. Now as we are approaching the 2023 Auto Expo, let's give you a glimpse of what Kia has in store for use at the 2023 Auto Expo.
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2023 Next-Gen Kia Carnival MPV
Kia is currently selling the 3rd generation model of the Carnival MPV in India while the latest 4th gen model was introduced globally in the year 2020. The Korean brand will unveil the new-gen model in the country at the 2023 Auto Expo. The new MPV gets significant changes inside out along with the introduction of new tech features. To begin with, the four-wheeler will be based on an all-new N3 platform making its wheelbase longer by 30mm, thus leveraging more space inside the cabin. Apart from this, the new SUV-inspired styling coupled with the 'Tiger Nose' front grille and a set of sleek headlamps works well to give it a much-required refreshed appeal.
Inside the cabin, an all-new dashboard layout and two 12.3 inch displays that work as driver's instrument cluster and infotainment system coupled with a revised centre console differentiates the new-gen Carnival from the outgoing model. The four-wheeler will likely get 7, 9 and 11-seater configurations, much like the global spec model. Under the hood, the familiar 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine which is good enough for 201 bhp and 440 Nm of peak torque will likely be retained.
Kia Sorento SUV
The second product from Kia which is slated for a unveil at the 2023 Auto Expo is the Sorento SUV. Kia's counterpart for the Hyundai Santa Fe, the 7-seater SUV is sold globally in its 4th gen iteration. Taking some inspiration from its older sibling Telluride, the four-wheeler has taken the lead in adopting the brand's latest design direction with a 'Tiger Nose' front grille, chiselled bonnet line, flared wheel arches and a prominent headlight setup.
The interiors of the 7-seater SUV look quite fresh with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 12.3-inch driver's display and a broad centre console housing a slew of physical controls as well as storage compartments. In terms of powertrain, Kia offers the Sorento with quite a few engine options like a 201 bhp 2.2-litre diesel, a 1.6-litre petrol hybrid unit putting out 230 bhp and a 2.5 litre naturally aspirated petrol. The four-wheeler will likely get the option of a 4WD system. The price range of Sorento will be in the Rs. 20-30 lakh bracket, this rivalling the likes of SUVs like Tata Safari, Hyundai Tucson and XUV700 among others.
Kia Seltos Facelift
Globally unveiled in July 2022, the Seltos Facelift will most likely be showcased at the 2023 Auto Expo. With a lot of buzz around its India launch, the updated mid-size SUV will feature a host of changes to its exterior design and some major feature additions. An updated front fascia, a new set of alloy wheels and a fresh set of features like ADAS, panoramic sunroof etc. will make it stand out from the current model. The new model will see a minor price hike and the powertrain option will remain more or less the same, however, a new 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine could likely replace the current 1.4-litre unit.
Also Read: 2023 KIA Seltos SUV To Get More Powerful Engine & New Features
Verdict: As we have already seen earlier, Kia has always been inclined towards SUVs. Its fleet for the 2023 Auto Expo speaks a similar story and that seems quite good considering the ever-growing SUV segment in the country. The final launch timeline and pricing of the vehicles will likely be revealed at the Auto Expo and that will set the pace right for the calendar year 2023.
