Kia may add all-new ‘XRio’ to crossover lineup

The Korean automaker Kia is eyeing to introduce a new crossover, which may be called ‘XRio’, as reports suggest. This car would be a B-Segment SUV and is expected to wear the ‘XRio’ badge in order to differentiate itself from the existing Kia Rio.

The XRio, if made itself to production, may schlep a similar language as that of the C-Segment XCeed. To recall, the Xceed itself is based on the European Ceed nameplate and garners same underpinnings to that of the Cerato. However, the XCeed is relatively slim than the Ceed and has a coupe-like makeover of an SUV.

The XRio will share the platform with the Rio but the company already has a Rio-based Stonic in the Korean and European markets. Hence, to make a slot for the speculated XRio, the next generation of Stonic should be tweaked and possibly, may adopt a conventional SUV design. Moreover, Kia has been frequently referring to ‘B-Low’ and ‘C-Low’ nameplates, which can be the XRio and XCeed and will be paired with B-High Stonic and C-High Sportage, respectively. 

Furthermore, Kia sells a crossover badged Rio X-Line and KX Cross in Russia and China, respectively. As the name suggests, both the model are related to Rio in one way or other. Slim and Sleek SUVs are becoming popular these days and the company is also hoping that the XCeed may end up in becoming a best seller in the local market. If this is going to be the case anyhow, the XRio will have a high chance of being introduced.

If launched, then the XRio would be alongside the Stonic, and this strategy of gaining the market share is not new in the industry. Major players like Mercedes-Benz and Jeep will do and had done the same.