Kia Not Working On Tata Nexon EV Rival In India Yet

The Korean carmaker is looking to start its EV range in India with a premium, all-electric SUV instead

Update (18/09/2020): Kia has launched the Sonet with prices beginning from Rs 6.71 lakh (ex-showroom). Read more about it here.

• Kia is aiming for an MG ZS and Hyundai Kona rival. 

• Sonet is ready for electrification, but Kia does not want to enter the electric market with a sub-4m EV. 

• Kia could bring the Soul EV in the near future.

The new Kia Sonet will be a global offering and the sub-4 metre SUV is based on a platform that is ready for electrification. However, the Korean carmaker doesn’t plan to introduce a Sonet or any sub-4m EV in India anytime soon and is looking at offering a more premium EV instead.

The only sub-4m electric SUV in India right now is the Tata Nexon EV and it is also the most affordable EV with a range of over 300km. It has already racked up quite a few orders, the 1,000th unit rolling off the assembly line recently, despite poor vehicle charging infrastructure in the country. Mahindra will also join the sub-4m SUV league with the all-electric XUV300 next year. Given the Sonet’s appeal in terms of looks and premium features in the sub-4m SUV segment even before it’s launched, it’s not outlandish to ask whether it’ll be Kia’s debut EV offering in India. However, we know that the carmaker has no immediate plans in that direction as Lorenz Glaab, head of global product management at Hyundai Motor Group, has confirmed that the Sonet won't get an EV version.

Also Read: Tata Nexon EV Battery Draining First Drive Review

Instead, Kia is aiming for a more premium position in the electric SUV market in India, similar to what Hyundai did with the Kona Electric. Kia has already had some of its global EV offerings running around in Andhra Pradesh that were gifted to the state government as part of an MoU to further develop electric mobility. Included in that fleet was the latest version of the Soul EV which could be Kia’s first electric offering in India. Kia has stated that its manufacturing facility in India is already capable of making electrified models.

The Soul EV has the same battery packs as the Kona Electric, including the 39.2kWh unit offered in India. That means it would also offer a claimed range of well over 400km on a single charge and fast charging capabilities. Like other Hyundai-Kia models with shared mechanicals, the Soul looks nothing like the Kona. It has a boxy styling and funky interiors. The Soul EV would also be bigger than the Sonet while offering premium features like a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, premium audio system, climate control and a digital instrument cluster. 

Kia has not revealed any official timeline for launching its first all-electric offering in India. However, the Soul EV could arrive in India in 2021 as a CKD (completely knocked-down) offering.

The Tata Nexon EV is by far the most affordable long-range EV option in India, with a  claimed range of over 300km. Its prices range between Rs 13.99 lakh and Rs 15.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Even with an electrified Sonet, it is unlikely that Kia would be aiming for similar prices. Instead, something like the Soul EV could be positioned as a rival to the likes of the Hyundai Kona Electric (priced from Rs 23.75 lakh to Rs 23.94 lakh) and the MG ZS EV (priced from Rs 20.88 lakh to Rs 23.58 lakh).

Read More on : Kia Sonet AMT