What are the reasons for the discontinuation of the Kia KX Cross?
4 Answers
Here are the specific reasons for the discontinuation of the Kia KX Cross: 1. Interior materials: The Kia KX Cross is the hatchback version of the Kia K2. The dashboard is made of hard plastic, which offers average tactile and visual appeal. The steering wheel is also not wrapped in leather and is entirely made of plastic. 2. Driving performance: The Kia KX Cross is only equipped with a 1.4L engine, and its actual power performance is not outstanding. Quality complaints about the Kia KX Cross mainly focus on issues such as transmission oil leaks and engine oil leaks.
The discontinuation of this Kia KX Cross is actually quite common. I drove the older model before and found it compact and agile, making parking particularly convenient. However, I later noticed its sales never really took off. On one hand, there are too many similar small SUVs in the market, with popular models like the Honda XR-V stealing a lot of customers. Additionally, the KX Cross didn’t have much of a price advantage. Kia itself prioritizes higher-profit midsize cars like the K5 and Sportage, shifting production resources toward them. Moreover, domestic new energy vehicles are now making strong strides, offering better configurations at around 100,000 yuan, so young people aren’t as interested in traditional small fuel cars anymore. Last month when I went to the 4S store for maintenance, the salesperson also mentioned that orders for this model had stopped long ago, and it would officially be discontinued once the remaining inventory was cleared. In fact, the small car market is shrinking overall—it’s not just Kia; many joint-venture brands have reduced such models.
As an automotive industry observer, I believe the discontinuation of the Kia KX Cross is primarily related to its market positioning. It falls between a compact car and an SUV, lacking both the business appeal of a sedan and the spatial advantages of an SUV. Sales data shows that monthly sales exceeded 1,000 units in the first two years after launch, but later dropped to triple digits. The key issue is the shift in Chinese consumer preferences - nowadays, consumers can purchase spacious SUVs like the Haval H6 for just over 100,000 RMB, which can comfortably seat three adults in the rear. Kia's own product line adjustment is also significant, as they are now focusing on promoting pure electric and plug-in hybrid models, making room on production lines for new models like the EV6. Additionally, rising supply chain costs have had an impact - with slim profit margins on compact cars, it's better to discontinue production than to lose money on each unit manufactured.
The discontinuation of the Kia KX Cross ultimately boils down to poor sales. When it was first launched, it emphasized its crossover design, but it didn't receive any major updates for several years. The interior had a strong plastic feel, and the infotainment system was outdated. In contrast, the Hyundai Elantra GT, which shares the same platform, received more frequent updates, diverting potential customers. Nowadays, domestic brands like the Geely Binyue offer better configurations at lower prices. A friend who works in the auto industry mentioned that Kia shifted its production line to manufacture the Carnival MPV, as MPVs are currently in high demand and offer higher profits. In the used car market, the KX Cross also has a low resale value, depreciating by 40% in just three years, which clearly indicates its lack of market recognition.
