Is this the production-spec Kia SP or the Hyundai QXI sub-4 metre SUV?

-    The mysterious test mule was spotted on the streets of Hyderabad.

-    We assume it could be the first sighting of the production-spec Kia SP Concept in India, or it could be the Carlino-based Hyundai’s first sub-4 metre SUV. 

-    Both vehicles will arrive in India sometime in 2019.

A few pictures of a highly cladded test mule have surfaced on the internet and it has got us thinking about what it could be. This production-ready prototype could be the production-spec Kia SP or the Hyundai QXI sub-4 metre SUV. However, the latter has already made a spy shot appearance earlier in the country. But if it is indeed the former, this could be the first sighting of the Kia in India. 

Appearance wise, the test mule has cladding both fore and aft. But the doors and roof are sans any camo. But since the images are ambiguous, we weren’t able to recognise the dimension of the test mule. In profile, the test mule looks similar to the Creta but the cladding doesn’t reveal whether it has a cascading grille upfront of Kia’s ‘Tiger Nose’ grille. We can see the two-tier headlights setup though with a sleek unit above and the second one placed way below on the bumpers. Meanwhile, the tail lamps seem to have a design similar to the ones seen on other Korean SUVs from Hyundai and Kia.

Unlike the SP Concept, the test mule has conventional wheel arches and production spec wheels which seem to measure 16-inch or 17-inch in size. The SUV is also seen sporting silver roof rails and integrated turn signals on ORVMs. However, the test mule was riding on steel wheels. The two-tier headlamps set-up was earlier seen on the Carlino-based QXI test mule. However, the rear passenger door carries the same design as was seen on the Kia test mule spotted overseas a few months ago. 

We all know now that Kia India’s first product in the country will be the production version of the SP Concept which was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo. The Korean carmaker will foray into the Indian market with a Creta-sized SUV followed by a hatchback and a smaller SUV. On the other hand, the QXI will be Hyundai’s take on the sub-4 metre segment which will be positioned below the Creta. Based on the Carlino Concept from the 2016 Auto Expo, the new QXI will take on the high-selling compact crossover segment which is currently dominated by Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport, Honda WR-V and Tata Nexon. The two-tier headlamps are cued from the new-gen Santa Fe.  

Dimension wise, both cars will differ from each other. But we know that both of them will be arriving in the country sometime in 2019.

Picture Source - 1, 2