Spy Photos of KIA's New Full-Size Body-on-Frame SUV...What's the Point?

TheCarBlogger has posted photos of what is believed to be a new body-on-frame full size SUV from Kia. The SUV shown here was spotted in South Korea and due to the fact that it looks almost production ready, we should see it in showrooms soon.

The new full-size SUV will sit atop KIA's SUV lineup. It will seat seven and be offered with a 3.8L V-6 engine with about 260 horsepower. There are also rumors that the SUV could could the first application of a V-8 in the KIA lineup. The SUV could get the 4.6L Tau V-8, that will be used in the upcoming Hyundai Genesis sedan.

KIA's big SUV should be unveiled later this year, with sales in the US starting sometime next year.

But the big question is: Why does KIA need a big body-on-frame SUV when most of the market seems to be moving towards the lighter, more fuel-efficient unibody SUVs, such as the GMC Acadia and Ford Edge?


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S4cabriofoxone - 6/19/2007 1:39:46 AM

+1 Boost

Although this spy shot is almost useless, it doesn't look like a full-sizer to me. It looks like a 1995 Suzuki Grand Vitara.

dumpsty - 6/19/2007 8:07:30 AM

+1 Boost

KIA is definitely being extremely competitive with the N.A. market.

Eventhough it does not seem like it...the full size truck & SUV market continues to be a "hotly" contested category in the United States. There's a reason why GM, Ford, Dodge, Toyota, and Nissan continually battle over mid- & full-size truck/SUV territory. These vehicle sell...and sell well. The makers have a higher profit margin in the full-size market. They make more money with one large SUV than with 1-3 small or compact cars.

Why do you think Ford continues to add (instead of replacing) new SUVs to their line-up? They make more profit from one Edge than they would if sold 2 Fiestas or a Fusion.

SUVs & truck (no matter this size) make sense to a large portion of the American population. It's an all-around utility that's useful in the winter as well as in the summer...regardless of gas prices.

Will_ - 6/19/2007 8:56:21 AM

0 Boost

So the question remains: how will this stack up against its biggest competition, the BMW X3? I'll be upfront, I think the Kia will have the better interior.

S4cabriofoxone - 6/20/2007 2:16:37 AM

+1 Boost

A friend of mine just got a 2007 (updated) X3, and as much as I hated the "old" X3, you'd be surprised at how nice it is now...

Htay7500 - 6/19/2007 9:42:27 AM

+1 Boost

dont they have the Sorento?

mikeydred20 - 6/19/2007 8:08:26 PM

0 Boost

Bull their is no way a Kia will be better than a Lexus, I am fighting a uphill battle comparing Acura good luck if you think Kia has a chance. Two years ago they were rank the worst by many editors from different surveys, what makes you think they can improve so quick. Further more they might have one of the best warranties in the buisness but what's it worth if every month you are using it.

EnnNorak - 6/19/2007 10:07:07 AM

+1 Boost

KIA is on the same page as I am. Body on frame (with rubber mounts) is still the best way to isolate road noise and vibration. Collision damage is much costlier to repair on unibody vehicles not to mention that many unibody vehicles are not properly repaired due to incompetent measurement of body reference points. KIA is a great company soon to introduce a RWD luxury car with LSD. There are very few RWD with LSD vehicles available today. RWD with LSD is not quite as good as AWD or 4WD but is good enough for most winter driving. By the way S4cabriofoxone , I hope that KIA's "full size" SUV is not truly full size in the North American context. I have a height problem in one of my condo garages and my wife wants a smaller SUV.

Htay7500 - 6/19/2007 10:32:03 AM

+1 Boost

my dad ownd a 97 Kia sportage 10 yrs ago. its wasnt bad but the 4wd system sucks (its part-time so its flushed out before usage in the winter) it was in an accident 2 months ago when a dude in an explorer didnt yield. engine worked though.

r_driver04 - 6/19/2007 4:15:08 PM

+1 Boost

Gas goes up and Kia starts making full size suvs too. What's the world coming to?

jt716 - 6/19/2007 4:33:58 PM

+1 Boost

looks like a mariner from the headlights

bwee - 6/21/2007 6:55:58 PM

+1 Boost

UM WHO THE HELL ARE KIA'S DESIGN TEAM AND WHY DO THEY STILL HAVE A JOB???? FIRE THEM PLEASE THEY SUCK SO BAD LIKE REALLY BAD