Kia’s roadmap for their upcoming models
Many new changes have been incorporated within Kia’s atmosphere including the removal of the diesel-based IMT powertrain models with the motto of reducing the carbon footprint and being an environment-centric consumer company.
These revisions in Kia models come along with some minor changes across the lineup, though specific details on the updates to features and equipment remain relatively subtle. This shift reflects a broader industry trend towards more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly powertrains, with the focus now on turbo-petrol engines in these popular models.
In the HTX and HTX+ trim levels, Kia offered the Sonet with a diesel-iMT drivetrain; the latter is no longer available. Kia has now released the HTK+(O) trim, which is available with the 1.2-liter petrol-MT and 1.0-liter turbo-petrol-iMT powertrains and falls between the HTK(O) and HTX trims. The Gravity Edition versions from the Sonet lineup have also been discontinued by Kia. Right now, Sonet prices range from Rs 8.00 lakh to Rs 15.70 lakh.
Only the mid-spec HTX trim in the Seltos lineup had the diesel-iMT drivetrain, which is no longer an option. Similar to the Sonet, Seltos' Gravity Edition is no longer available. Nevertheless, Kia has unveiled three new trim levels: HTK(O), HTK+(O), and HTX(O), along with a few feature changes. Additionally, rather than GTX and GTX+ trims, the GT Line is only available in fully loaded GTX+ trim. Prices for the Seltos range from Rs 11.13 lakh to Rs 20.51 lakh.
In the Carens, Kia delisted the Luxury trim, which had six or seven seats, in addition to eliminating the diesel-iMT drivetrain. Additionally, the diesel-AT is only available in the Prestige Plus (O) grade, while the petrol-iMT powertrain is now available in fewer trims. Finally, the diesel-AT and turbo-petrol-DCT versions of the X-Line trim are no longer available; only the former is now offered. Curiously, though, the Carens' Gravity Edition is still accessible. The Carens range in price from Rs 10.60 lakh to Rs 19.70 lakh.
Kia’s recent revisions across the Sonet, Seltos, and Carens lineups reflect a clear focus on optimizing powertrain options, streamlining trim levels, and aligning with market demands for efficiency and sustainability. The discontinuation of diesel-iMT drivetrains and Gravity Editions, along with the introduction of new trims like HTK+(O) and HTX(O), highlights Kia’s efforts to cater to a broader customer base with diverse preferences. While some popular configurations have been retired, the updated models continue to offer a balance of affordability, features, and performance. With competitive pricing across its range, Kia remains committed to adapting to evolving automotive trends and maintaining its stronghold in the market.
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