Finding Kia's New Front End Design Direction

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
02/12/2016 at 00:14 • Filed to: Kia

If you’re curious why all these 2017 MY Kia’s have such odd front ends, I’ll point out that there are two style paths taking place which are best seen in the GT Concept and the Novo Concept.

2011 Kia GT Concept

Aside from the Aston Martin One-77 cues, this front end featured high mounted headlamps that did not connect to the grille. I’ll also mention that this concept supposedly had a 3.3T V6 pushing out 390hp and 394lb-ft. Hyundai recently announced a 3.3T V6 rated at 365hp and 379lb-ft. Below are the 2017 models that took on the GT’s cues but turned CUV:

2017 Kia Niro

2017 Kia Sportage

2016 Kia Cee’d

The refreshed Cee’d is sort of in the grey area of the new and old design direction. I would be surprised if the 2017 Kia Soul doesn’t look nearly identical to the Niro though.

The other front end styling is best seen on the recent Novo Concept.

2015 Kia Novo Concept

You’ll notice the headlamps connect to the grille and a majority of the headlamps are inline with that grille. But the grille and headlamps are not 90% inline with one another like on the Optima, Sorento, and Sedona. Below are some or the 2017 models that use the Novos cues:

2017 Kia Forte

2017 Kia Cadenza

The interesting bit is that many of the models are receiving the verticle vents off of the Kia GT, seen best on the new Optima, Forte, and Niro whenever fog lights aren’t present. I expect exterior tweaks on the Optima, Rio, Soul, Sorento, Sedona, Cee’d and maybe the K900 (if it isnt replaced by a large 4-Door Coupe) to happen quickly over the next 2 years.

DISCUSSION (7)

DrScientist > Wobbles the Mind
02/12/2016 at 00:28

It’s nice to see Kia maturing as a brand and with its brand identity and design so much as to warrant a brief review like this. Well done Kia and wobbler.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > Wobbles the Mind
02/12/2016 at 00:29

If you rebadged that Novo concept as a Jaguar, I think it’d pass. Kia has really impressed me lately with some excellent designs.

Admiral-cb > Wobbles the Mind
02/12/2016 at 00:47

I never thought I would say this about a Kia but if they made that GT, I would seriously consider buying one.

Bytemite > Wobbles the Mind
02/12/2016 at 00:51

Kia headhunted the chief designer at VW/Audi. Their cars have looked fantastic since the introduction of their signature Tiger nose grille. Now these 2017 MY cars might look even better.

Sam > Wobbles the Mind
02/12/2016 at 01:11

Novo > GT

The Sportage is really bad looking. Luckily, it’s the only car they make that is not, at the very least, good looking.

190octane > Admiral-cb
02/12/2016 at 01:12

Real quick request, I was on a burner before but signed on through Google, would it be possible to un-gray me on here or can I do it myself?

Still trying to figure out this kinja thing.

wiffleballtony > Wobbles the Mind
02/12/2016 at 09:31

It looks like that hideous BMW concept.