The sub-4-metre SUV category is one of the most popular and competitive segments in the market, which is why Kia will be taking another shot at this space with the upcoming Clavis SUV despite having the Sonet.
The Clavis will be positioned in between the Sonet and the Seltos in the company’s line-up, and is being pitched as a lifestyle offering. Expected to debut globally later this year and go on sale in early 2025, the Clavis has once again been spied testing overseas.
- Will have an upright stance with rugged design elements
- Expect it to be well-equipped with premium positioning
- Hybrid powertrain could be on the cards as well
Kia Clavis: what to expect?
The test mule is heavily camouflaged, but first impressions are of a tall and upright SUV with high ground clearance, and rugged design elements such as beefy body cladding and roof rails. It will possibly be larger than the Hyundai Exter, and some parts visible through the camouflage hint at vertically oriented headlamps and tail-lamps, much like Kia’s newer crop of EVs. Other highlights include a large glass-house with kinked windows.
The interior of the Clavis has also been spied before – in typical Kia fashion, it's expected to come well equipped with features like a large touchscreen, ventilated seats, 360-degree camera, a sunroof and more. The Clavis will also likely be more spacious than the Sonet, and that should bode well with buyers who find the latter’s interior rather cramped.
Kia Clavis powertrain options
What will be most interesting about the Clavis is that it will be offered with both petrol and electric powertrains. Both versions will be based on the same platform, and a hybrid powertrain could be on the cards as well. All versions, however, will be front-wheel drive only – despite its rugged appeal, there will be no AWD variant on offer. We should have more specific technical details closer to its debut.
Kia Clavis expected launch and positioning
Sources tell us that the Clavis will debut in its petrol guise towards the end of 2024, and it will go on sale early next year; the electric version will arrive six months later. Being a sub-4m SUV, the Clavis is being specifically developed for India, which means it will be locally manufactured, although few units will be earmarked for exports as well. It should also be priced competitively owing to localisation and its size, but expect a slight premium over the Sonet.
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