Kia Will Launch a Small Crossover to Round Out Its Subcompact Segment

Korean automakers desperately need more sport utility vehicles. Frankly, they should have had them 36 months ago when demand for crossovers began to explode. Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Kia Motors, has watched its sales dwindle after the post-recession buying boom cooled off and everyone started losing their appetite for small affordable cars. That poor financial performance has forced the Korean automotive group into austerity measures, reallocating funds for new vehicle projects aimed at getting customers back on its side — specifically with something riding an extra inch or two from the pavement.

During this week’s earnings report, Kia said it planned to launch a desperately needed sport utility vehicle for South Korea and Europe later this year. According to the company, the model would be a Rio-based subcompact “crossover utility vehicle.”

While overseas markets are top of mind for the automaker, they might not be the only ones receiving the mystery crossover.

Believed to be called the Kia Stonic in western markets — due to a trademark filing of the name first noticed by Just-Auto — the small crossover should go up against the Nissan Juke and Honda’s HR-V. While this also means it will be sharing a segment with Kia’s Soul and Niro Hybrid, cannibalization should be minimized by the Soul’s funky boxed styling and the Niro’s electrified powertrain.

The Stonic is expected to skip Geneva and debut at the Frankfurt auto show in September, likely bearing a strong resemblance to Kia’s Niro (above) and Chinese-market KX3 crossover.

Kia hasn’t confirmed a North American introduction, though several media sources claim that the model will eventually arrive on these shores.

[Image: Kia Motors]