The India-bound Kia QYI Compact SUV Has Been Spotted In South Korea

• The QYI’s silhouette resembles the bigger Seltos, which is a great first impression.
• It is likely to be underpinned by the Hyundai Venue’s chassis.
• It could get two petrol engines and one diesel powertrain.
• The QYI is likely to be launched in India in 2020.

Kia Motor India appears to have started testing the upcoming QYI SUV on our shores. It could be the third model that’s slated for the country after the successful Seltos mid-size SUV and the soon-to-be-launched Carnival MPV. The QYI SUV is likely to based on the Hyundai Venue compact SUV and will most probably have the same powertrains as well. While we got a fair idea of how the model will look in India, a test mule spied in South Korea reveals more details of the SUV.  

Despite the heavy camouflage on the test mule, we could make out certain key design elements like the honeycomb mesh grille that could have the ‘Tiger Nose’ design element. The grille merges onto the projector headlamps that will most likely feature LED DRLs. It also gets projector fog lamps, a feature seen in recent Hyundai cars and lower variants of the Seltos. In profile, the QYI resembles the bigger Seltos, making for a great first impression. The presence of steel wheels means this test mule could be a lower variant. At the rear, the SUV comes with LED tail lamps and an upright tail gate. 

The interior of the QYI SUV is still a mystery. However, we expect it to borrow plenty of bits from the Stonic compact SUV that’s sold overseas. Being a Kia, we expect it come packed with features like a touchscreen infotainment system, UVO connected car tech, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, climate control, sunroof, cruise control, ventilated seats, wireless phone charger as well as keyless entry with push button start.

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The QYi could borrow the Hyundai Venue’s 83PS 1.2-litre Kappa and 125PS 1.0-litre T-GDI petrol engines. The diesel engine is likely to be the Seltos’ BS6 1.5-litre CRDI engine in a detuned state as Hyundai will soon discontinue the 1.4-litre CRDI engine post BS6 emission norms. All three powertrains will be in compliance with the emission norms.

It’s likely that Kia will bring the QYI to India. We expect Kia to reveal reveal further information about the upcoming model at Auto Expo 2020. When launched, we expect Kia to price the QYI at a slight premium over the Venue, which currently retails from Rs 6.50 lakh and Rs 10.84 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The SUV will rival the Hyundai Venue, Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the Mahindra XUV300.

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