Kia's new Morning model
In a previous post, I shared information about the facelift of the Kia Morning. Today, the official images of the all-new Morning have finally been released. The official launch date is tomorrow, July 5. Although I haven't seen the actual car yet, let's take a look at the changes, additional options, and pricing.
First of all, the front design has changed significantly, almost like a full model change. The front of the latest Kia electric vehicle, the EV9, overlaps slightly with this design, showcasing a family look for upcoming Kia models like the Carnival and Sorento through the new Morning.
Most notably, the new Morning features LED headlights and center-positioned lamps, which are first in its class. Although I don't have nighttime photos, I expect the "Starmap Signature Lighting," which extends horizontally, to give the Morning a completely different look in the evening.
The 16-inch wheel design looks attractive, and the overall balance is excellent. If the size increases, we could draw parallels to the new Sportage and Sorento. Honestly, I felt a bit disappointed that small cars like the Morning might disappear from the market, so I'm thrilled to see it continue. The Ray still dominates the compact car segment, doesn't it?
As a facelift, the side lines and overall structure remain unchanged. However, you can see the latest design trends reflected in the details of the LED lamps. The tail design also features vertical details that extend like the front, visually making the car appear wider.
The newly introduced color, Adventurous Green, is quite appealing. While I don't have photos, I hear there will be a total of seven exterior colors, including Signal Red, and three interior colors: Brown and Dark Green.
The interior remains largely unchanged! The layout is the same, but the analog instrument cluster has been replaced with a digital one. The car now includes safety features such as navigation-based smart cruise control and front collision prevention assistance, which automatically brakes if it anticipates a collision with a bicycle rider or an oncoming vehicle while turning left at an intersection.
The new model comes equipped with an 8-inch display monitor that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rearview camera, power-adjustable outside mirrors, a Type-C USB charging port in the front row, and a smart key system with remote start functionality, enhancing its appeal.
The powertrain remains the same with a gasoline 1.0 engine and a four-speed transmission. The combined fuel efficiency stands at 15.1 km/L (about 35.4 miles per gallon) based on 14-inch wheels. With this level of fuel efficiency, I don't think a hybrid or electric vehicle is necessary just yet. The driving range of electric cars depends on battery capacity and vehicle weight, and due to the limitations of battery sizes in compact cars, internal combustion engine models with high fuel efficiency still seem more competitive.
The most important detail is the price. The base Trendy model of the new Kia Morning starts at 13,150,000 KRW (approximately 10,000 USD). The Prestige model costs 14,850,000 KRW (around 11,200 USD), and the top-tier Signature model is priced at 16,550,000 KRW (about 12,400 USD). There is also a two-seater van model starting at 12,900,000 KRW (approximately 9,700 USD).
The news about the official launch of the new Kia Morning scheduled for tomorrow ends here. I will share a test drive review soon. The design is so sporty and beautiful that it stands out among competitors... Although it's called a facelift, you could consider it a full model change!
Stay tuned!