Kia’s New 7-seater Offering To Have A Fairly Digital Cabin

• Key findings include a Hyundai i20-like digital driver’s display, and a small touchscreen infotainment unit which hints at a mid-spec trim.

• Other expected kit includes a Bose sound system, automatic climate control, wireless phone charger, and a sunroof.

• Could get the Hyundai Alcazar’s 1.5-litre diesel and 2-litre petrol engine options.

• Global debut on December 16, with India launch set for Q1 2022.

• To take on the Mahindra Marazzo, Hyundai Alcazar, MG Hector Plus, Mahindra XUV700, and Tata Safari.

So far, we’ve only had a look at Kia’s upcoming Alcazar-based three-row offering, codenamed KY (likely to be called the Carens) from the outside under heavy disguise. Now, new images have surfaced, revealing what’s inside the KY for the first time ahead of its global debut on December 16.

While it's not a full view of the cabin, we do get a full view of the touchscreen infotainment system and instrument cluster. The latter is a digital unit, and if you look closer, it resembles the Hyundai i20 especially with the red outlines which are blue in the i20. As for the touchscreen infotainment system, it looks like an 8-inch unit which hints at a mid-spec trim, with higher variants likely getting a 10.25-inch unit. Elsewhere, it seems to have touch-based controls as well as automatic climate control. 

Other expected features include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, UVO connected car tech, a sunroof, a Bose sound system, a wireless phone charger, and ventilated front seats. Kia will likely offer the KY in a 6-seater layout with captain seats and a 7-seater setup with bench seats for middle-row occupants. Multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, front and rear parking sensors, electronic stability control, and  blind spot monitoring are likely to be the safety kit on offer.

While earlier spy images of the body reveal the KY (Carens) under heavy disguise, there is a bit of Seltos in there with the trademark Tiger Nose grille, LED headlights, as well as the rake of the A-pillar. That said, the alloy wheels and the rear end look different to the Seltos.

Under the hood, we can expect the Hyundai Alcazar’s 115PS 1.5-litre diesel and 159PS 2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engines paired to a 6-speed manual or optional 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox options.

Post its December 16 global debut, Kia’s fourth offering for India is set to launch in India by the first quarter of 2022 at prices ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 21 lakh (ex-showroom, India).  Rivals should include the Hyundai Alcazar, Mahindra Marazzo, Mahindra XUV700, Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus.

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