Kia SP SUV’s production version spied: Hyundai Creta rival

The Hyundai Creta is the most popular SUV above 4 metres in length currently on sale in India. Next year, though, the Hyundai Creta will have a new rival in the form of Kia’s production version of the SP concept shown at Auto Expo 2018. Kia is currently putting the SP through its paces and the compact SUV has been spotted testing once again on Indian roads. Hat-tip to CarToq reader Shankar from Coimbatore.

The video seen above shows a heavily camouflaged version of the SP compact SUV from Kia at a set of lights while being tested. However, major sections of the upcoming compact SUV, which will arrive in the middle of 2019 on Indian roads can be seen through the camo.

The front end of the compact SUV looks to be more or less unchanged compared to the SP concept seen at Auto Expo 2018. The split headlamp design from the concept can also be seen in the final moments of the video. The headlamps setup is split into sleek LED lights emerging out of either side of the top section of the large grille and another pod of lights sitting directly below the LED strips.

The sides of the test mule of the Kia SP with the compact SUV’s beltline moving upwards as it reaches the C-Pillar. The beltline also seems to be oddly highlighted in gold on the test mule. Also seen from the sides are some rather snazzy alloy wheels which look nearly identical to the ones seen on the SP Concept. The rear end of the Kia SP prototype is heavily camouflaged, though the taillights seem to have retained the overall shape seen on the units found on the concept car.

Kia is Hyundai’s premium brand and the new SP will be priced slightly higher than the Creta. The upcoming SP compact SUV will be powered by new 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines that are expected to make their way onto other Kia and Hyundai models in the near future. Both engines will be compliant with BS-VI emission norms with the petrol expected to be used in hybrid guise from 2023 onwards. As per various reports over the past few months, the Kia SP will be underpinned by an updated version of the Hyundai Creta’s platform.

The production Kia SP will be launched in India in mid-2019 and will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta and the upcoming Tata Harrier, which arrives in January 2019.