3 New Kia Electrified Cars Lined Up For India
Kia is getting ready to shake up the Indian electrified car market. The company has lined up a range of launches that include all-electric models and hybrids. These upcoming models are spread across different body styles and price segments. Over the next year, Kia plans to introduce three such models ...
Kia Carens EV
The electric version of the Carens MPV will be the first to arrive. Kia has long been testing this vehicle. The EV will be based on the facelifted version of the current Carens, and is expected to launch sometime in the first half of 2025. It will be based on an electrified version of the regular Carens' platform. The battery pack will sit under the floor.
While Kia hasn’t officially confirmed the battery specs, reports suggest it might use the same 51.4 kWh unit from the Creta Electric. Inside, the Carens EV will be packed with features. Expect a large touchscreen, automatic climate control, ventilated seats for the front and rear, powered seat functions, and advanced safety tech like Level 2 ADAS.
Kia Syros EV
Kia is also known to be working on an EV based on the Syros. The petrol and diesel versions of the Syros are already in good acceptance. The EV will arrive in early 2026 and will share its platform with the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) version. However, it will get EV-specific design changes like a sealed grille and aerodynamic body tweaks to set it apart from its ICE siblings.
The Syros EV is expected to come loaded with modern features. It coulde have the likes of Level 2 ADAS, a 360-degree camera system, a panoramic sunroof, and a smart, feature-rich cabin. The expected price could be between Rs 15 to 20 lakh. It will directly rival models like the upcoming Mahindra XUV 3XO- based EV, Tata Nexon.ev, and some variants of the MG ZS EV.
Next Generation Kia Seltos Hybrid
Kia will also launch the next-generation Seltos in the upcoming months. It will be available with a strong hybrid powertrain. The model is internally called SP3 HEV. The new Seltos will have major design changes gone into it. It will have a bold 16-slat grille, reworked LED headlamps, dual DRLs, revised bumpers, wider air dam, new diamond-cut alloys, flush door handles, and skid plates. Parts of the design could remind you of the Telluride. The rear will likely have connected LED tail lamps and a redesigned rear bumper.
The cabin is also expected to get a full revamp. It is expected to get a 30-inch Trinity panoramic display combining the instrument cluster and infotainment system. Other features could be Level 2+ ADAS and a more premium dashboard layout.
The biggest change will be under the hood. The new Seltos will get a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid engine. This setup will deliver 141 bhp and 265 Nm of torque. Kia aims to balance strong performance with better fuel efficiency, making the hybrid ideal for buyers moving away from diesel. It is also expected to power other upcoming models, including the Carens.
With the BS-VII emission norms making diesel engines harder to justify, the hybrid version of the Seltos could become the new go-to choice for buyers wanting cleaner performance without sacrificing power or fuel efficiency.
Kia Could Have A Winning Strategy
In a country like India where people value performance and gains in fuel efficiency ( and operating costs), having a smart line of electrified products could be the key to success. The electric vehicle segment is booming in our country and the Syros and Carens EVs could easily drive sales if priced competitively. Further, having a hybrid based on the Seltos could also give Kia an advantage.
Image source (Next-gen Seltos) Top Electric SUVs