The Kia QYI Sub 4-metre SUV Finally Has A Launch Date... Er... Time Frame

• The QYI will most likely share its underpinnings with the Hyundai Venue.
• Expected powertrains include a 1.2-litre Kappa, a 1.0-litre T-GDI and a 1.5-litre CRDI.
• Expected features include connected car technology, sunroof and a wireless phone charger.
• Likely to be priced at par with the Venue which starts from Rs 6.5 lakh (ex-showroom).

Kia Motors India has revealed that the QYI sub 4-metre SUV will be launched in India in the second half of 2020, which basically means it could happen any day between July and December. The QYI will be Kia’s third car in India after the Seltos and upcoming Carnival MPV. We expect to see a close-to-production version of the QYI at Auto Expo 2020. 

The upcoming sub 4-metre SUV will most likely borrow its underpinnings from the Hyundai Venue. One can expect a 83PS 1.2-litre Kappa engine with a 5-speed manual and a 125PS 1.0-litre T-GDI petrol unit with a 6-speed manual/7-speed DCT.  Diesel variants could utilise a detuned version of the Seltos’ 1.5-litre CRDI motor as Hyundai will be discontinuing the 1.4-litre CRDI unit due to BS6 norms.  

Visually, the QYI will come with completely revamped styling to differentiate it from the Venue. Spy shots indicate that the front end will come with a ’tiger nose’ honeycomb mesh grille flanked by projector headlamps. In profile, the QYI’s silhouette looks similar to the bigger Seltos, which is no bad thing. At the rear, we could notice split tail lamps and the number plate housed in the rear bumper. 

Inside, the sub 4-metre SUV is expected to come with a completely revamped dashboard, but with its features list shared with the Venue. Expected kit includes a touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, UVO connected car technology, a sunroof, wireless phone charger, climate control as well as keyless entry with push button start. 

Prices for the QYI are expected to be at par with the Hyundai Venue which starts from Rs 6.50 lakh (ex-showroom). When launched, it will lock horns with the Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300.