Kia Clavis SUV India testing begins

Kia is set to introduce another sub-4-metre SUV despite having the Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Hyundai Venue-rivaling Sonet. After a few test mules were caught testing on foreign soil, the upcoming Kia Clavis SUV has now been spotted testing in India for the first time.

1. Kia Clavis SUV to be positioned between Sonet and Seltos
2. To be a lifestyle offering, albeit without an AWD option
3. Clavis petrol to debut by the end of this year, launch early 2025

Kia Clavis design highlights

While the test mule is fully camouflaged, the boxy shape of the SUV is evident. The SUV boasts of a flat roofline with functional roof rails, while the bonnet, nose and the rear-end are also upright and flattish. The diamond-cut alloy wheels seem to have taken inspiration from the facelifted fourth-gen Kia Carnival MPV. The Clavis will be a sub-4-metre SUV, but its upright styling would result in better headroom compared to the Sonet. Bigger windows would also contribute to the cabin feeling airier. Essentially, it will be more lifestyle-oriented that the Sonet which is quite urban. 

Kia Clavis powertrain options

As we've reported earlier, the Clavis will be offered with both petrol and electric powertrains. Both versions will be based on the same platform and a hybrid powertrain could also be introduced at a later stage. However, all versions will feature a front-wheel drive configuration as standard, with specific details about the powertrains available closer to its debut.

Kia Clavis launch timeline

The petrol-powered Kia Clavis SUV is expected to be unveiled in India by the end of this year, followed by a launch in early 2025. The battery-powered version of the Clavis is expected to arrive about six months later. Considering its market positioning, the Kia Clavis will be slightly pricier than the Sonet, which is currently priced from Rs 7.99 lakh.