Kia Cross GT Concept

Building on the brand-expanding precedent set by the four-door Kia GT that debuted in Frankfurt in 2011, the brand unveiled the Cross GT crossover concept in Chicago. Just as the GT concept’s arrival signaled the brand might soon offer a full-size luxury car, the Cross GT concept clearly sends the message that Kia is considering the move into the large, premium-crossover market.

Big in Stature and Power

The Cross GT’s design comes from the same group of California-based designers at Kia’s Design Center America that gave us the 2014 Forte sedan as well as the Track’ster and Soul’ster concepts. Based on the chassis of the GT sedan, the Cross GT features a similarly long wheelbase of 122 inches with short overhangs front and rear. Overall length and width measure up at 192.8 and 79.1 inches, respectively; teamed with a comparatively low 65.3-inch overall height, it sports a chunky profile.

To put it in context, the Cross GT is 8.4 inches longer and 4.9 inches wider than the current Sorento, yet stands 1.6 inches shorter. The wheelbase, however, is nearly 16 inches longer than that of the current Sorento, lending credence to claims of short overhangs. As we stated when Kia released a teaser image a couple of weeks ago, we’re definitely seeing the brand’s familial resemblance, especially in the nose and C-pillar.


Although Kia is careful to point out that the hybrid powertrain also is “strictly a concept,” its numbers definitely fall within the realm of the possible. Featuring a 3.8-liter V-6 and an eight-speed automatic transmission working in conjunction with an evolution of Kia’s parallel hybrid system that provides torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, Kia is quoting a combined output of 400 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque with an all-electric range of 20 miles.

Designed as a four-passenger vehicle, the Cross GT employs rear-hinged suicide doors for easy access to the rear buckets. Interior materials were chosen with a nod to environmental responsibility: The American walnut on the instrument panel was selected from re-harvested stock and the Almond Terra–colored leather seats were tanned with chemical-free dyes. Anchored to the central tunnel, the saddle-inspired seats give the illusion of floating within the cabin.

Climate controls, telematics, and entertainment functions are accessed via a touch screen and central mouse control. Rear passengers can access the internet and infotainment options through flat-panel screens mounted to the backs of the front-seat headrests. A large storage compartment resides beneath the flat-load floor in the cargo area.

The Official 411, Nudge, Wink

Although no official announcements have been made, you don’t need a magnifying glass to read between the lines: According to Michael Sprague, Kia’s executive vice president of marketing and communications, “Our customers are looking to the Kia brand to offer relevant vehicles in the premium segments that take value to new levels of sophistication. The Cross GT is the next logical step in that evolution. And while only a concept today, it signals one possible design direction we may explore for the future.”