 Kia Cross GT Concept Car Reviewed
The recent unveiling of the Kia GT Cross concept car at the 2013 Chicago Auto show had everyone in attendance taking second and third looks. With looks and styling that had everyone questioning its Kia-ness, which is a good thing for the automaker.
The vehicle is a three-row crossover SUV, designed more as a performance-based model than dedicated family hauler. In this vein, the Kia GT Cross concept car comes outfitted with a 3.8L V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Put those two together, and you are looking at power in the neighborhood of 333 horsepower when outfitted in a Hyundai Genesis. However, the Genesis does not accommodate three rows of seats, so look for those numbers to shrink just a tad on the longer wheelbase concept car if it ever arrives at market.
Two-tone wheels, LED headlights, fog lights and taillights shaped like hooks only further accent the Kia GT Cross concept car and its exterior appearance. Kia also threw in side vents on the front doors equipped with turn signals. For the real clincher, however, they also threw in suicide doors minus the b-pillar.
Inside, there is leather bucket seats, flat-panel screens mounted to the front-seat headrests allowing access to the internet or whatever DVD is placed in the entertainment system. The front seat also gets a good view of the large touch screen which controls all the infotainment tricks Kia has loaded in to the vehicle. The view above is also a treat, with hexagonal shaped multi-panel skylights giving a good view of the world above.
With the unveiling of the Kia GT Cross concept car, it is clear that Kia intends to launch a vehicle in the coming model years in to the larger crossover market currently occupied by the Chevy Traverse and Honda Pilot. If it retains all the fun bells and whistles of this beauty of a ride remains to be seen.