Kia SP compact SUV to be Pricier than Hyundai Creta: Here’s Why!

It has come to light that the upcoming Kia SP Compact SUV, which made its India debut in a concept form at the Auto Expo 2018, will likely cost significantly more than its main rival, the Hyundai Creta. Han-Woo Park, President, Kia Motors, has been quoted as saying that his company’s cars and SUVs will be positioned at a ‘slight premium’ over those of its main rivals.

Han-Woo Park, President, Kia Motors said,

We will position ourselves at a slight premium because we cannot compete with Maruti and Hyundai on cost. We will compete with other automakers on the basis of our design, which is stylish, young and vibrant. With elements such as our signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille, we’ll be able to differentiate our cars from others.

The Kia SP Compact SUV made its India debut in a concept avatar at the recently concluded Auto Expo 2018. The SP Concept previews a compact SUV that will launch in India in the second-half of 2019. It will go head to head with the likes of Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster. The upcoming Kia SUV will be tailor-made for Indian conditions, but will also be sold abroad. It will be produced at the company’s upcoming production facility in Andhra Pradesh.

Kia Motors believes that the attractive, sporty-looking designs of its cars, including that of the SP Compact SUV, will help it justify a premium price tag. The upcoming Kia cars in India will be targeted at a slightly younger clientele that is likely to pay a bit more for cars that look somewhat different from the conventionally designed models.

The Kia SP Concept comes with the company’s familiar ‘Tigor Nose’ grille. Other highlights of its design include a sleek pair of headlamps, large fog lamp housings, flared wheel arches, and a stylish set of large-diameter mag wheels. The production-spec compact SUV will be underpinned by a modern platform that will also underpin the next-generation Hyundai Creta. While this platform is also capable of churning out a seven-seater SUV, Kia will initially stick with a five-seat layout. That said, a seven-seat version of the SP Compact SUV can break covers in future.

via Autocar India