Skip to main content

Kia Cross GT concept to debut at Chicago Auto Show

Kia Cross GT concept teaserWith the auto show circus getting ready to move on to Chicago, Kia decided to tease a concept car it plans to unveil in the Windy City. The Cross GT is, as the name implies, some kind of crossover, and it’s scheduled for a full unveiling in February.

Although the teaser image is darkened and looks like it was rendered by a 1990s videogame designer, we can make out a few styling details. Kia’s signature “tiger grille” is upfront as usual, but this version is more upright and formal than what we’ve seen on previous Kias. The roof also slopes back to an almost vertical tailgate with a slight kink in the rear side window, as on the Sportage.

One design touch that isn’t stock Kia is the silver trim around the leading edge of the front door. It looks like Kia is trying to copy the non-functional vents on the 2013 Land Rover Range Rover’s doors. The huge wheels also look like something one would find on a pimped-out luxury SUV, although they’ll probably be toned down for production.

Kia says the Cross GT will preview a larger and more luxurious crossover that would sit above the Sorento in Kia’s lineup. However, that strategy didn’t work for parent company Hyundai. The Hyundai Veracruz offered more space and a comparable amount of amenities to a Lexus RX, all at a lower price. Still, the Veracruz was axed and will be replaced by a long-wheelbase version of the Santa Fe.

Kia’s own efforts to move upmarket have also been less than successful. It’s rear-wheel drive luxury sedan still hasn’t made it to U.S. showrooms, so buyers have to settle for an Optima with extra chrome trim.

Positioning a production Cross GT as a premium model might be a good strategy, though. Unlike a luxury sedan, a big crossover wouldn’t poach sales from Hyundai’s Genesis. Hyundai and Kia would have two premium products targeting different market segments.

Kia could take the Cross GT in another less, glamorous direction. It could serve as a minivan surrogate, like the Chevrolet Traverse and Ford Flex. Kia is getting rid of its Sedona minivan, so it could use a three-row school bus.

Volkswagen is thinking the same thing. Its CrossBlue concept, shown in Detroit earlier this month, previews a crossover that will replace the Chrysler-based Routan minivan.

We’ll learn more about Kia’s plans, and get a full look at the Cross GT, when the Chicago Auto Show opens February 7.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Alpine sale: Up to $160 off speakers and subs for your car
alpine speaker sale crutchfield march 2024 car and amp setup on table

If you’re looking to kit your car out with some superior speakers or a subwoofer, Crutchfield is the place to go today. Right now, there’s a huge sale on Alpine subwoofers and speakers with nearly 50 different items forming the sale. As there are so many options, the best idea is to hit the button below to see what’s around. If you don’t know where to start though, read on while we take you through some great items in the sale.

What to shop for in the Alpine sale
Buying the best aftermarket car speakers are important for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road and is currently dealing with a mediocre sound system. One good starting point in the Alpine sale is the 2-way speakers for $104 instead of $130. You get two 2-way speakers with a polypropylene/glass fiber/mica woofer with a specialized rubber surround. There’s a one-inch silk dome tweeter with speakers able to handle up to 80 watts RMS with 240 watts peak power. The grilles aren’t included but the factor ones should be fine for most purposes.

Read more
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more
Hyundai Ioniq 9: price, release date, range, and more
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Front

Hyundai has been at the forefront of EV development for a while now, largely thanks to the success of the crossover-sized Hyundai Ioniq 5. But the company is readying another new EV that could be even more popular than the Ioniq 5 -- or at least more desirable in the U.S., the land of big cars.

The upcoming Ioniq 9, previously set to be called the Ioniq 7, will be Hyundai's take on an electric SUV. It will be to Hyundai what the Kia EV9 is to Kia. It will have three rows and carry over design elements from the Ioniq 5.

Read more