The much-anticipated Kia Clavis SUV has been spotted testing in India for the first time. The vehicle, which is expected to slot between the Sonet and Seltos in Kia’s product lineup, was seen on a highway in the Delhi/NCR region. This indicates that Kia India has started the homologation process for the Clavis in India.
The Clavis, still under thick camouflage, appears to be a compact SUV with a tall boy design. The vehicle’s front features vertical DRLs and a headlamp setup. The side and rear profiles reveal a design that resembles the Soul, a model Kia sells outside India.
To position it above the Sonet, Kia is expected to equip the Clavis with features similar to those offered on the Seltos. These include a 360-degree camera, panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, 12 parking sensors (6 in front & 6 at the rear), and flush door handles. Despite these features, the Clavis will remain a sub-4m SUV. In terms of length, it will be similar to the Sonet however, the Clavis could be taller and wider than the Sonet.
The Clavis is expected to come with a variety of powertrain options. According to reports, the Clavis could become Kia’s first hybrid car in India. It is also expected to come with a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine similar to the Sonet. A diesel option remains a possibility, depending on emission norms. An EV option is also expected, with a claimed range of 450 km.
The Clavis is expected to be unveiled by the end of 2024 and will be launched sometime next year. Kia is first expected to launch the petrol/diesel version followed by the EV version a few months later. It remains to be seen if Kia launches the hybrid with the ICE options or later. Pricing-wise, the Clavis is expected to start from INR 12 lakh and go to INR 23 lakh.