Kia’s booth at SEMA was quiet and empty compared to the Genesis-fest at sister firm Hyundai’s space. But fewer fans meant a chance for a closer look at several near-production concepts that point the way forward for the “other” Korean budget automaker. And though Hyundai seems to have Lexus in its crosshairs, Kia appears to be gunning directly after another Toyota’s Scion. First up, Kia’s Soul Burner concept looks like a (not quite production-ready) alternative to Scion’s xD. Strip away the flame-tread show tires, and a few other tuner-show fripperies, and it’s a practical, flexible, stylish little hatch. The styling doesn’t exactly put the “b” in subtle, but it’s a reasonable compromise between practicality and urban chic. Fit-and-finish clearly needs some work (paint bubbles on a show car?). But a cheaper, better-looking (in the eyes of this beholder) xD should have Toyota sweating more than a little. Kia’s Koup Concept has an equally laserlike-focus on stealing sales from the Scion tC. The stylishly unisex Koup sports clean lines, sharp-looking head- and tail lights, and a surprising impression of quality compared to the Soul Burner. Slap a Honda badge on the Koup and you might think it was the next Civic Si. Put it next to a tC with no badges at all, and you might have a hard time guessing which came from the world’s most successful automaker.
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From the side, the Koup looks like a previous gen TL shortened and cleaned up. I like it.
The Koup is a good-looking little car. Nice.
I agree with the Dot, the Koup is nice looking, esp. the back-end of it, very Klean!
Between the Soul and the Koup, Kia’s on a roll. These are exactly the products it need to differentiate itself from big-brother Hyundai.
However, I think the Genesis Coupe should have been a Kia as well…
The Koup Concept looks like the next-gen Acura RSX. I guess that’s what you get when your designs are meant to look like the generic versions of the brand names. Hyundai/Kia are known for taking the front clip from Brand A, the profile from Brand B and the rear end from Brand C and barely avoiding being branded as plagiarists. Remember the Amanti (Benz wannabe), now the Genesis sedan (even more bland-looking Lexus LS). Top it off with the Koup Concept (blend of Civic Si and RSX). I will give Kia marks for the Soul, it’s a rare original design from the master of “mashups.”
No booth professionals? Could explain the quiet.
And the xD is a cheaper, better-looking Fit, with the added bonus that it’ll still be running in five years. :)
I do agree that Scion seriously needs to get its shit together, for many reasons, the influx of competing products being the least of them. Just because they re-invigorated the minicar trend in America doesn’t mean they’re going to keep it.
The “new” tC is on its way, which is alternatingly enthralling and terrifying Scion enthusiasts, who remember all-too-clearly the fun-ectomy of the xB revamp. I say “remember” because the last time I saw an xB2 was at the dealership; with terrible sales numbers, it’s not like you see them driving around.
Gee…who would have thought that MORE money, LESS mileage, and baby-Highlander styling wasn’t the way to go?! Apparently there aren’t a lot of people out there wanting to spend more money for less car. Whodathunkit?
At least we’re getting the iQ. Finally, a step in the right direction.
Kia would benefit from bringing over the Ceed/Proceed sooner rather than later. Doing something to push the Rondo might not be a bad idea, either.
Hyundai doesn’t seem to understand that it needs to keep Kia and itself separate, which leads to:
However, I think the Genesis Coupe should have been a Kia as well…
I’d be ok with the Genesis as a Hyundai, but Hyundai needs to forget the Tiburon and allow Kia and the Koup to stand alone. The Borrego was a stupid choice as a Kia, but would have made sense as a Hyundai; vice-versa the Elantra wagon/i30: it’s a better Kia than a Hyundai. And there’s others:
Better Hyundais: Amanti, Magentis/Optima, Sedona
Better Kias: Tiburon, Santa Fe, Accent, Getz
I must agree with MrDot and BlueBrat, the Koup looks particularly nice. Too bad we don’t have any shots of the headlights. If it makes it to the US, I’d look at it.
The Soul Burner, not so much. Just doesn’t do it for me.