Kia Cross GT Concept First Look

Kia Cross GT Concept First Look  "It looks like an Infiniti," we overheard someone say at the press conference, and that's a good sign for Kia. The Cross GT concept is intended to be a desire-based crossover, as compared to more sensible crossovers people buy because they are practical. The interior uses luxurious, environmentally friendly materials, but will Kia's upcoming full-size crossover maintain this theme? We'll see.

Kia Cross GT Concept First Look

Kia Cross GT Concept First Look

 Kia Cross GT Concept First Look

Kia Cross GT Concept First Look

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Kia Cross GT Concept First Look

Spend a few minutes in the Kia Sorento's third-row seat and you'll understand the reasoning behind the Kia Cross GT concept crossover. Making its debut at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show, the Cross GT concept previews Kia's upcoming full-size, three-row family crossover, a vehicle that will comfortably fit above the Sorento and do battle with cars such as the Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Pilot. Of course, this being a concept vehicle, the all-wheel-drive Cross GT boasts bold styling and a hybrid powertrain said to produce a combined 400 hp with an all-electric range of 20 miles. The real powertrain story for those who've outgrown the Sorento and can't find a leftover Sedona minivan is the Cross GT's 3.8-liter V-6, which is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. In the 2013 Hyundai Genesis sedan, this combination is good for 333 hp and 291 lb-ft of torque. Of course, no Hyundai aside from the long-wheelbase Santa Fe can accommodate three rows of passengers like the production Kia crossover likely arriving a few years after the Cross GT concept's debut.Kia says the Cross GT is 8.4 inches longer and 4.9 inches wider than the Sorento. Park a 2013 Traverse and 2013 Pilot alongside the Kia concept and you'll find the Kia is 1.4 inches longer than the Honda but 10.9 inches shorter than the Chevrolet. The Kia concept is 0.6 inches wider than the Chevrolet and Honda. The Cross GT is only designed to fit four passengers in first-class comfort, but a production crossover inspired by this concept will no doubt offer three rows of seating. No matter what's going on inside, the Kia Cross GT's exterior styling demands attention, with its chunky two-tone wheels, LED headlights, hook-like foglights, and Fusion Copper paint. A side vent mounted on the front doors appears to incorporate a turn signal light, and in true concept-car style, the crossover has suicide-style doors and no B-pillar.
From the rear three-quarter angle, we can't help but notice a slight resemblance to the Isuzu Axiom from the early 2000s, with the upright sheetmetal forming the liftgate. About that liftgate: Kia says the Cross GT has a traditional glass hatch as well as a tailgate, a feature we wouldn't mind seeing on whatever large crossover Kia builds in the next few years. Our favorite Cross GT design feature, though, is the multi-panel skylight with hexagon-shaped glass inserts. To continue with the eco-friendly yet luxurious theme established by the car's 400-hp, 500-lb-ft V-6 hybrid system, the Kia Cross GT's leather bucket seats -- said to be inspired by "fine equestrian saddles" -- are tanned using natural dyes and no chemicals, and wool (a renewable resource) has been used throughout the cabin. Flat-panel screens have been mounted to the backs of the front-seat headrests so rear-seat passengers can use the Internet and keep track of all their infotainment options. Up front, a large touch screen is controlled with what Kia calls "central mouse control technology," a touch we may see on a future production vehicle. Kia's plans to explore the possibility of offering a crossover larger than the Sorento comes as little surprise, with the automaker's minivan and the body-on-frame Borrego SUV now gone. Whether the inevitable production crossover can stand out in a large class remains to be seen, but a multi-panel skylight with hexagonal inserts would sure help get it noticed.