Kia Corporation has been having a very active year so far. Not only have they been busy pushing the introduction and new concept across the world but they have also been giving their entire SUV line-up a major shake-up.

While the brand is hugely popular in the overseas market, sales in Malaysia can only be described as lacklustre despite its following of loyal fans. But now that Kia has a new distributor, things might be looking up.

As Dinamikjaya, a new subsidiary under Bermaz, sorts out the after-sale mess that the previous distributor left behind, perhaps we could look to the future at the possible models the company would officially bring in.

This brings us to the extensive list of SUVs that Kia has to offer globally. It can get rather intimidating but before you start sending in petitions to Dinamikjaya to bring in one of these SUVs, here’s what you need to know about them first.

Also read: Bermaz: CKD Kia Seltos and Carnival not until 2022, priority is to rebuild after-sales

Kia Seltos

Let’s start things off with the Kia Seltos. The B-segment SUV was set to enter the highly competitive B-segment SUV market in Malaysia last year. But unfortunately, Naza Kia Malaysia's distributorship was up in limbo midway, and the car was never launched though prices have been announced.

As my colleague has previously highlighted when the SUV was first confirmed for Malaysia, there are 3 versions of the model. There is the Korean version codenamed SP2 after the SP Concept, the SP2i which is the version assembled in India, and the SP2c sold in China. Each version has a slightly different front-end design. 

Also read: 2020 Kia Seltos – One name, three faces, which one for Malaysia?

All three versions have slightly different measurements too. For example, the Korean SP2 version is the largest of the 3 measuring at 4,370 x 1,600 mm in length and height, while the Indian SP2i version measures 4,315 x 1,645 mm.

Hence, the different versions of the SUV are for Kia to cater to the different requirements and regulations in the global market. The SP2 is marketed in more advanced countries while the SP2i is fitted out to suit developing countries.

Also read: 2021 Kia Seltos launched in Malaysia: 1.6L NA, CBU India, 2 variants, from RM 116k

In Malaysia, the version we were supposed to get is the SP2i. But before you start calling it the ‘Indian version’ remember that Naza Kia Malaysia had plans to assemble the SUV in their Gurun plant.

Kia KX3

Like we’ve mentioned, there are 3 versions of the Seltos. We’ve talked about 2 versions, now to address the last version. Codenamed SP2c, this version is sold exclusively in China as the KX3.

While the Seltos only has one generation to its name, in China, the KX3 is actually in its second generation.

Dongfeng Yueda Kia, Kia Corp’s Chinese joint venture manufacturer, introduced a small SUV under the name KX3 back in 2015, but when the Seltos was launched, they decided to take the concept and sell it as the second generation KX3 instead.

Kia Sportage

The fifth-generation Kia Sportage made its global debut just last month sporting a whole new design language. You can say that the Sportage is the first of Kia’s popular models to receive the new design language treatment known as ‘Opposites United’.

Not much has been revealed of the new C-segment SUV as of yet, but a recent leak did reveal that the Sportage will be powered by a 1.6-litre engine with hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) flavours too.

Also read: The all-new 2022 Kia Sportage debuts, looks too scary for children

Kia KX5 (QL)

There are 2 versions of the Sportage sold in China. One is simply named ‘Sportage’ while the other is named the KX5.

To make it easier to understand, the KX5 is the fourth generation (current) Sportage albeit it was recently facelifted to drop the bug-eyed look and bear more resemblance to the larger Kia Sorento.

Kia Sportage Ace (Zhi Pao) China (NP)

The SUV sold with the Sportage namesake in China, meanwhile, is exclusively manufactured for the country. Though it shares the namesake, this model is not related to any international market Sportage.

Kia Sorento

The D-segment SUV is arguably one of Kia’s most popular models next to the Kia Grand Carnival. Believe it or not, the Sorento started as a truck ladder frame-based SUV before it transitioned into the refined monocoque frame 7-seater SUV that it is today.

Measuring at 4,780 x 1,890 x 1,685 mm in length, width, and height with a wheelbase of 2,850 mm, the Sorento is the largest SUV that Kia has to offer worldwide.

Also read: All-new 2020 Kia Sorento - 35 mm longer wheelbase, new 8-DCT, 227 hp/350 Nm hybrid, PHEV next

The fourth-generation Kia Sorento was introduced to the world just last year (2020). Unfortunately, development for the car started before the brand created the new ‘Opposites United’ design language, so the SUV misses out on the new look.

Nevertheless, the Sorento still lives up to its popularity even during the ongoing pandemic. It also helps that Kia has expanded the engine options to include even a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version to cater to the tightening emission regulations around the world.

Also read: 2021 Kia Sorento to launch in Indonesia, Malaysian future still in limbo

Kia KX7

Unlike the Sportage, there is only one China-specific version of the Sorento. Sold as the Kia KX7, the model is based on the previous third-generation Sorento (codenamed UM).

Though Dongfeng Yueda Kia also imports the international Sorento in China at the same time, the KX7 is marketed as the more affordable option as it is locally assembled.

The KX7 also bears a slightly different look like more chrome bits lining the front grille and fog lamp housing. The number plate placement on the rear is also moved to the bumper rather than on the tailgate like the international version.

Other lesser-known, region specific Kia SUVs

Kia Sonet

The Sonet is the smallest SUV that Kia has in its arsenal. The newly updated Kia Sonet was created for the Indian market as a sub-4-metre SUV. To refresh your memories, India has a tax system that qualifies all cars measuring more than 4 metres as luxury cars.

Hence brands like Kia had to come up with a contender that measures 3,995 mm long to satisfy the needs of their Indian consumers. And that's the reason why Malaysians are not familiar with this model.

Also read: 2021 Kia Sonet 7-seater debuts in Indonesia – Ready to fight the Rush or Raize?

Although the Sonet was created with only India in mind, Kia did not limit the engine options to just one.

Instead, there are 4 engine options in both petrol and diesel guises, including a turbocharged 1.0-litre T-GDi 3-cylinder engine or a naturally aspirated 1.2-litre MPI option.

Also read: Indonesians get more choices than us - Toyota Raize fights Kia Sonet, Nissan Magnite

Kia Stonic

Another unfamiliar SUV from Kia’s stable is the Stonic. Also updated recently, the Stonic is a B-segment SUV that Kia created for the European market. The SUV is the biggest reason why the Seltos is not sold in Europe, as Kia already has the Stonic in its place.

In comparison, the Seltos is much larger than the Stonic overall. The Stonic measures at 4,140 mm in length while the Seltos (all 3 versions) measures at least 4,300 mm.

Being a smaller car, the Stonic is also equipped with smaller engines compared to the Seltos, which fits with the European stricter emission regulations better.

The Stonic shares the same 1.0-litre T-GDi engine as the Sonet while 2 naturally aspirated options are also available. A 1.25-litre 4-cylinder engine that produces 84 PS and 122 Nm or a more powerful 1.4-litre option that produces 100 PS and 133 Nm.

Kia KX1

The Stonic is sold in China as the KX1. Like the Seltos and Sportage, the KX1 bears a slightly different look from the global model.

What is even more interesting is that the KX1 is exported overseas to Philippines as the Stonic.

Kia Telluride

The Telluride is the largest SUV in Kia’s arsenal and it is sold and manufactured only in the USA. Named after a town in Colorado, USA, the Telluride measures over 5-metres long at 5,001 x 1,989 x 1,750 mm in length, width, and height.

In case you’re wondering, the Telluride shares the same platform and engine option as its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Palisade.

Under the bonnet lies a spitting 3.8-litre Lambda V6 GDi petrol engine that produces 295 PS and 355 Nm.

The Telluride is a relatively new model. The brand first introduced the 5-metre SUV at the 2019 North American International Auto Show and buyers were enamoured by the amount of safety equipment that the car has to offer.

Kia’s vision for the Telluride is purely aimed at the luxury segment as is evident with the second-row captain seats and the latest in infotainment systems.

Kia Mohave

Perhaps one of the least known SUVs that Kia has in their stable is the Mohave. The 7-seater SUV is the only model from Kia that still sits on a ladder-frame chassis.

At 4,880 x 1,915 x 1,819 mm in length, width, and height, the Mohave is longer and wider than the Sorento’s dimensions by at least 100 mm.

It also boasts a wheelbase of 2,895 mm, which is much longer than the Sorento’s 2,780 mm. By now we’ve established that the Mohave is larger than the Sorento, so what about the Telluride?

Though the 2 SUVs share the same 3.8-litre Lambda V6 GDi engine, they are set apart in terms of refinement and equipment. While the Telluride is packed full of safety equipment, the Mohave is noticeably lacking in most of them.

There is also the matter that the Telluride has a monocoque chassis which makes the car more comfortable.

But the Mohave's ladder frame construction makes it more suitable for towing heavy load and traversing rough roads.

The Mohave also comes powered by a 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine that produces 340 PS and 435 Nm. This is the largest engine that Kia has offered in the SUV range.

The Mohave is mostly targeted at countries with harsh driving conditions like Russia. But we did find out that the Mohave was sold in the USA alongside the Telluride for a time.

Kia Niro

The Niro is Kia’s answer to the ever-tightening CO2 emission regulations. The B-segment SUV was developed as a hybrid or a PHEV. An electric vehicle version that shares the same powertrain as the Hyundai Kona was introduced later as well.

At launch, the car comes with a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder GDi petrol engine paired to a 1.56 kWh battery. The powertrain has a combined power output of 141 PS.

In terms of size, the Niro measures 4,355 x 1,800 x 1,535 mm in length, width, and height while the wheelbase measures 2,700 mm. This makes the Niro longer than the Seltos in length but shorter in height.

Kia EV6

Introduced in March 2021, the EV6 is Kia’s first dedicated electric vehicle (EV). The crossover is the second vehicle after Hyundai Ioniq 5 to be built on the E-GMP architecture developed specifically for Hyundai Motor Group’s future EVs.

The EV6 comes with a choice of a 58 kWh or a 77.4 kWh battery pack that provides at least 510 km of range based on the WLTP cycle.

Also read: Kia EV6 revealed, first dedicated EV from Kia

You might be wondering why is this ‘hatchback’ doing on this list, well the EV6 is deceptive in looks. Measuring 4,680 x 1,880 x 1,550 mm in length, width, and height, the EV stands slightly shorter than the Seltos and taller than the Stonic.

Kia XCeed

Yet another SUV that Kia has dedicated to Europe only and giving Seltos even less reason to be launched is the Kia XCeed. Based on the Ceed hatchback, the XCeed is the answer for Europeans who would prefer a larger SUV over the Stonic.

The XCeed measures larger than the Seltos at 4,395 x 1,826 x 1,495 mm in length, width, and height. But like most crossovers that share a platform with the hatchback form, the XCeed stands shorter than both the Seltos and Stonic.  

It comes powered by the 1.0-litre T-GDi turbocharged engine similar with the Stonic. But if this engine is too underpowered, the XCeed does come with a larger 1.5-litre T-GDi engine that produces 160 PS and 253 Nm similar to the hatchback versions.

Conclusion

Now that you’re equipped with extensive knowledge of all the SUVs in Kia’s stable you would understand why many of their SUV models did not make it to Malaysia.

While it is a given that the Seltos, Sportage, and Sorento would make it back to our shores one day, we wouldn’t rule out the arrival of the Sonet too.

Also read: Kia lights up the Burj Khalifa for new logo introduction in Middle Eastern region

Though the A-segment SUV is developed for the Indian market, it was also recently launched in Indonesia. So, perhaps Dinamikjaya would consider a Perodua Ativa rival one day? Let’s hope!