Currently reading: Kia plots sporty Rio-based SUV to take on VW T-Cross
Supermini-sized crossover planned to sit alongside existing Stonic as firm ramps up SUV range expansion

A second supermini-sized crossover, possibly badged Xrio, is being considered by Kia  in response to growing demand for high-riding cars, according to the firm’s product planning boss. The new model would be in addition to the brand's existing B-segment SUV, the Kia Stonic

The expansion of high-riding bodystyles at the Korean maker has recently been bolstered by the Kia Ceed hatch-based Kia Xceed, a model that, Kia claims, could become the firm’s bestseller. 

“What we are looking at is whether the market is going to split into low and high seating positions for SUVs and crossovers and whether we need five models to cover the market or four,” David Labrosse, Kia Europe’s head of product planning, told Autocar, “and whether some should be electric or not.” 

Booming Xceed sales would make a strong case for a sporty Kia Rio-based SUV. “Nothing is decided, but that’s a decision on the table right now,” said Kia Europe’s COO Emilio Herrera. 

Kia x ceed drop in

Herrera believes the more car-like driving manners of the Xceed could push it beyond 100,000 sales in Europe in 2021. In its first year of sales, in 2020, Herrera expects it to reach around 80,000 units. 

As the Kia Sportage ages, its sales are forecast to drop from 125,000 last year to 110,000 this year and possibly under 100,000 in 2020, dipping below the XCeed’s. 

Kia classifies the SUV segments as B-high/B-low and C-high/C-low by differing seating positions. Currently, Kia covers the market with four models: the B-segment Stonic (B-low) and, in the C-segment, the Xceed (C-low) and Kia Niro and Sportage (both C-high). 

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The Stonic is a relatively new model and due a facelift in late 2020/2021, with a replacement arriving in around 2023/2024. 

Although the Stonic has a crossover body, its seating position is set at the same height as the Rio hatch’s, which some insiders believe should change for the next model. 

The next-generation Stonic could evolve into a more ‘formal’ SUV, making space for a low-roof, sporty crossover in the mould of the Xceed, based on the Rio.

Read more

New Kia Xceed crossover: UK prices and specs announced​

Kia Rio review

New 2020 Kia Sorento to get plug-in hybrid variant​

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Higgik 16 August 2019

OptimaX

How about this name for A new D-low. Fits with the idea of the Optima being the D-saloon.

There seems to be a plan to create a CUV range and an SUV range. The SUV range looking more rugged, while the CUV will be much more athletic in profile and concept.

 

 

Higgik 16 August 2019

Seltos bigger than Stonic

Many journos are saying the Seltos is bigger than that and is more in the C class than th3 B class, sort of that half way house, bigger car to add value.

xanderbrown 17 August 2019

Higgik wrote:

Higgik wrote:

Many journos are saying the Seltos is bigger than that and is more in the C class than th3 B class, sort of that half way house, bigger car to add value.

The length is almost identical to the Niro

Higgik 16 August 2019

Kia Seltos

Kia have just launched a new SUV in India and USA, it looks fantastic and should be launched here. It would be the sister to the XCeed as C-high. Think X1 to the XCeed’s X2 Redesigning the Stonic to look similar would allow a B-low as a coupe like CUV. A whole redesign of the SUV range to follow the new Telluride (X7), Mohave (X5) and Seltos (X1), would create space for a coupe CUV style for XRio, (hate the name), with the Sportage being the X3, new OptimaX (X4) and Sorento the X6.

xanderbrown 16 August 2019

Higgik wrote:

Higgik wrote:

Kia have just launched a new SUV in India and USA, it looks fantastic and should be launched here. It would be the sister to the XCeed as C-high. Think X1 to the XCeed’s X2 Redesigning the Stonic to look similar would allow a B-low as a coupe like CUV. A whole redesign of the SUV range to follow the new Telluride (X7), Mohave (X5) and Seltos (X1), would create space for a coupe CUV style for XRio, (hate the name), with the Sportage being the X3, new OptimaX (X4) and Sorento the X6.

 

Yeah the Steltos is a C segment SUV, but here Kia has the Niro which is almost an identical size. 

rtwingo 16 August 2019

Higgik wrote:

Higgik wrote:

Kia have just launched a new SUV in India and USA, it looks fantastic and should be launched here. It would be the sister to the XCeed as C-high. 

 

The Kia Salad.. err Seltos is a B-SUV. It will be marketed in Europe from 2020.

Kia's C-SUV high is the Sportage.