Kia Eyeing Diesels For U.S. Market

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Kia is apparently looking at expanding into the niche diesel market in the United States – but not just yet.

Speaking to Just Auto, Kia’s Orth Hendrick, who is VP of Product Planning, said

“The problem right now is that there are different emissions standards in Europe and the US, which means we would be faced with different after-treatments, and that makes it very expensive…But with EU6 in 2017-18 there would be the same standards in both Europe and the US, and that gives us a better chance.”

Now, the question is, what will be Kia’s first diesel? If I had to place a bet, I’d say the next-generation Soul.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Landcrusher Landcrusher on Jul 11, 2014

    The winner here would be a butched up Soul micro SUV. Lift it a bit, AWD, whatever. Then, it's a diesel SUV, and diesel and truck still go together in the US.

  • Saxphile Saxphile on Jul 11, 2014

    My bet would be the Sorrento. In Australasia (and possibly Europe--I haven't bothered to look it up), the 2.2 L oil burner makes up the bulk of the line. The 2.4 L Theta engine is available only on the most basic model, and no V6 gasoline option is available. From what I have gathered (haven't had time to test drive them yet), the diesel option is far superior.

  • Lbg36 Lbg36 on Jul 11, 2014

    Why do people always assume that the only reason to buy diesel is to save money? (and then get into hair splitting calculations... btw diesel has been cheaper than 87 octane unleaded since early spring) Do people buy Teslas to save money? No. They like the idea of an EV... same with diesel... Some people find diesels to be technically and intellectually appealing. Back to the original question, my prediction is that Kia will bring in a high end SUV with diesel not your entry level model... Because it is easier to hide the extra cost of a diesel with a high markup high end model than it would be on a entry level model... e.g. a $15K car with a $5K diesel option is going to look a lot worse than a $45K car with a $5K diesel option. But a lot of these "announcements" are just to test the waters to see what kind of feedback they get.

    • Lightbulb Lightbulb on Jul 12, 2014

      Wow you are lucky to have cheap fuel prices. Diesel costs vary depending on where one lives. Here in the Northeast diesel is usually more expensive than premium gas. Right now where I live it is 5 cents less but once October comes around it will shoot up to in price as gasoline prices drop. So diesels still doesn't make much sense for the vast majority of drivers.

  • APaGttH APaGttH on Jul 11, 2014

    I'm only buying a diesel Kia Soul if I can give it smoke stack exhaust and roll coal with the sucker.

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