Kia has unveiled the new Clavis, a compact SUV that promises to offer excellent cabin space thanks to its unique “tall boy” design. The Clavis is set to be Kia’s seventh model in India and is expected to fill the gap between the Sonet and Seltos in the company’s lineup.
The Clavis features a boxy, upright design reminiscent of the Kia Soul, which is sold overseas. This “tall boy” design utilizes vertical space to provide greater roominess inside the cabin. The front fascia includes vertically stacked projector headlamps with LED units and vertical LED Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs). The tail lamps are high-mounted, integrated into the bumper, and bear a resemblance to the Kia EV9.
Inside, the Clavis offers a spacious and airy cabin with ample legroom and headroom. The dual-tone theme adds a premium feel to the interior, and the floating touchscreen infotainment system is a standout feature. The cabin layout is similar to the Swift but with a different color scheme. The Clavis is expected to come with modern amenities, including a panoramic sunroof, ventilated and powered front seats, drive modes, traction modes, a climate control system, leatherette upholstery, and a Bose audio system.
The Clavis is expected to offer a range of powertrain options, including both petrol and EV variants. The petrol engine options include a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine with 118 bhp and a torque of 172 Nm, and a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine. The diesel engine option is a 1.5-litre unit, with transmission options including a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic. An EV variant is also expected, with a claimed range of 450 km.
The Clavis is positioned to compete with other compact SUVs like the Tata Curvv and the Citroen Basalt. The official unveiling is anticipated by the end of this year, with a market launch early next year. Pricing for the Clavis is expected to start from around INR 14 lakh and go up to INR 26 lakh (on-road, Mumbai)