First look: Kia’s All-New SUV

Here is the first full vehicle image of Kia’s 7-passenger SUV. Derived from the Mesa concept vehicle and larger than our popular Sorento model, this vehicle’s third row seating is designed to comfortably accommodate adults.

This yet-to-be-named SUV code named the ‘HM’ will be available as a 2009 model in the U.S. and will make its debut at the upcoming 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

w209w114 - 9/20/2007 11:26:28 AM

+7 Boost

Its strikes me that this is much better looking than the $64K msrp Land Cruiser.

All Toyota is staying and holding on with is its "name" of quality. Lets see how much further that gets them before an image, quality and sales decline due to overproduction and competitive product offerings from Hyndai and Kia.

EnnNorak - 9/20/2007 2:20:27 PM

+4 Boost

The Koreans are trying harder these days and I am sure this KIA will be a far better value than competition from Japan.

pitang - 9/20/2007 12:09:48 PM

+6 Boost

More competition the better.

EL34 - 9/20/2007 12:30:00 PM

-1 Boost

Here in the city I live in which is Irvine, Ca in Orange County KIA are finishing up the new KIA headquarters right off the 5 Freeway.

It's a brand new building an here's the story.

http://www.irvinecompany.com/aboutus/News.asp?type=news&archive=1998&release=164&category=17&cid=

EL34 - 9/20/2007 12:33:07 PM

-1 Boost

whoops, disregard the link above because it's old from 1998, but KIA has built an all new huge headquarters and design center in Irvine and it's just about ready to open.

LuxuryFan - 9/20/2007 6:24:42 PM

+2 Boost

Here on this website, which is Autospies.com, we couldn't care less about your location.

DaHarder - 9/20/2007 12:57:21 PM

+1 Boost

Looks... BIG!

Catsmeow - 9/20/2007 1:01:32 PM

-2 Boost

Do these manufacturers really think they can compete at a higher level- i mean it's kia...

EnnNorak - 9/20/2007 2:21:43 PM

+3 Boost

Yes, and I think so too.

S4cabriofoxone - 9/22/2007 11:59:48 PM

+1 Boost

What's wrong with Kia? You'll be eating your words. I'm not even a Hyundai fan and I know that.

EnnNorak - 9/20/2007 2:23:17 PM

+4 Boost

Thank you. KIA offers value, clean conservative styling and no gimmicks.

M53R - 9/23/2007 2:12:08 PM

+1 Boost

because im sorry to say, we are blind with the "T" badge, not because this is a bad car.

DaHarder - 9/20/2007 2:53:45 PM

+4 Boost

Funny...

I remember my dad saying, "Does Toyota/Datsun really think that they can ever compete with American cars, especially my Cutlass Supreme?"...

Though it was the top selling vehicle in the U.S. for many years running, where's the Cutlass now... HELL! Where's Oldsmobile? LOL!

Just watch and learn, the Koreans have a plan, and it's working...

Rupert - 9/20/2007 4:34:06 PM

+3 Boost

I think this (so far) looks good, and fits with Kia/Hyundai's plan to move markets.
Kia will rival Toyota, Hyunda will rival Acura/Infiniti. At least that's the plan.