Kia Confirms Maruti Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue Rival For 2020 Launch

The sub-4m SUV should be based on parent company Hyundai’s Venue with common platform and powertrain options 

• Kia is expected to debut the sub-4m SUV (codenamed QYI) at the 2020 Auto Expo in Feb.
• SUV should feature 1.2-litre and 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol along with 1.5-litre diesel. 
• Equipment list should feature connected tech with an eSIM, sunroof, PM 2.5 filter. 
• SUV is likely to be priced between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 11 lakh. 
• Will rival EcoSport, Vitara Brezza, Venue, Nexon, XUV300 and the upcoming 2020 Renault HBC. 
• Expected to be launched around mid-2020. 

Image for representation purpose only

Kia has officially confirmed its upcoming launches for 2020. While we already knew about the Carnival premium MPV, the Korean carmaker has now officially announced its sub-4m for 2020 launch. Kia has already started testing the SUV, codenamed QYI, internally on the Indian soil and it is expected to hit the market by August 2020, which is around six months post the MPVs launch.

The Kia QYI will have a lot in common with the parent company Hyundai’s Venue. Both the SUVs should share platform, features and powertrain options just like the upcoming second-gen Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos. Design, however, will be unique and should ideally resemble family SUVs such as the Seltos. 

Some of the premium features that we can expect on the QYI are a sunroof, a built-in PM 2.5 filter, an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Kia UVO connected tech with an eSIM. The connected tech helps in remotely controlling some features of the SUV such as a remote operation for climate control and even door lock-unlock.   

As mentioned above, the sub-compact Kia SUV will likely share its powertrain options with the Hyundai Venue -- updated to meet BS6 norms. This includes the 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol, 1.0-litre turbo petrol and the 1.5-litre diesel unit (from the Kia Seltos). The turbo-petrol will get the option of a 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission) auto, whereas diesel could also get the option of a 6-speed AT. 

In their current forms, the 1.2-litre petrol unit produces 83PS and 115Nm and the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine makes 120PS and 172Nm. The BS6 1.5-litre diesel churns out 115PS and 250Nm in the Kia Seltos, but it is expected to detune for the Venue, 2020 Elite i20 and the Kia QYI.

The QYI is expected to be priced between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 11 lakh and will take on a crowded segment with sub-compact SUVs such as the Ford EcoSport, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon, as well as the Hyundai Venue. Renault will showcase its upcoming sub-4m SUV, codenamed HBC, at the 2020 Auto Expo and it is expected to be launched around the same time as the QYI. 

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