A couple of detail images of Kia’s upcoming Mesa, a midsize truck-based SUV, were released on an enthusiast forum. The two photos give us some detail of the new SUV’s grille, side profile and wheels, and they make it pretty obvious that the Mesa draws heavily from the KCD-II Mesa concept vehicle.
The detail photos, found on Hyundai Exchange (membership required), show us the front grille, which is a very mildly toned down version of the Mesa’s grille, and the alloy wheels, which also follow the concept vehicle’s theme.
The Mesa was unveiled at the 2004 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It was a midsize SUV concept sized about the same as a Ford Explorer. The concept was immediately rumored for production, but with the downturn in truck-based SUV sales, we had heard rumors that Kia had abandoned plans to produce the vehicle. It now appears that production is imminent and that the vehicle will be shown in an upcoming auto show.
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07/24, 8:41 AM
posted by:
RicardoHead
Looks pretty cool. Now the Hummer-haters can hate an Import …. but I wont hold my breath for that. Hummer-haters really just hate the USA.
Kia/Hyundai are pretty smart, but I question the timing on this. An Explorer competitor when SUV’s are passe and their sales are in the toilet. And since Kia’s clientele is typically a little lower on the income scale, it would be tought for a typical Kia buyer to flip the gas for this. It’ll be interesting. Maybe they’ll drop a diesel in there after a year and shock us all.
07/24, 9:20 AM
posted by:
snoboardguy21
This thing looks so bad. It looks like an FJ cruiser, but since it has no history, it has no weird quirks to remain in character. I think it looks sweet, and though it may be in the same size segment as the Explorer, it sure looks better and will at least get people thinking. Maybe Explorer sales are in the toilet because it’s looked the same for 20 years. We all know it will get better mpg than the Ford as well.
07/24, 10:00 AM
posted by:
Deanster
I think it’s gorgeous. Like a 4-door FJ
07/24, 10:03 AM
posted by:
RicardoHead
Not too sure about that on mpg, Snoboard. The Tundra’s mileage is not better than a F150 or Silverado. Ridgeline mpg sucks for what the vehicle is. Hyundai’s and Kia’s are not known as mpg queens either.
07/24, 11:10 AM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
I see a little land rover in there.
how many seats?
07/24, 11:46 AM
posted by:
LP640
not bad but Kia could do better. i love the big wheel arches
07/24, 11:50 AM
posted by:
HoosierHero
Bad idea. It looks really cool, but a truck-based SUV?? That’s exactly the problem with Ford/GM big utes. Everyone is buying cross-overs now. I see this going where Hyundai is trying to go, which is up-market. I don’t want a Kia either way. Hyundai’s took a long time to gain any sort of respectability, and Kia isn’t there yet.
07/24, 2:17 PM
posted by:
jJayC08
That’s exactly what I was thinking snoboardguy21… It reminds me of a Tyota FJ Cruiser, considering the roof and all. I don’t know about MPG and competing with the Ford Explorer, this doesn’t seem like a traditional SUV like the Explorer…
Considering the market it will probably go in, being low-to-mid income families, I also have to question the descision to make it “truck based”.
07/24, 5:03 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
It has the proportions of a FORD, but the lines of an ACURA MDX, squared up like and ISUZU. Strange, I never would have pegged it for a KIA if not for the Softball sized badge.
07/24, 5:48 PM
posted by:
autonutt
The third photo is the 2004 CONCEPT, not the actual production vehicle.. obviously the grille detail is very similar, but the alloy wheel/rocker panel detail looks quite different.. and not at all unlike a 1990s Isuzu Trooper II!
07/24, 6:49 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Pffft! Do they even know what the name stands for anyway? It means “table” in Spanish, Filipino and Papiamento, which I know of at least! What kind of a moron is going to buy such a stupid vehicle? This will be another blinding success just like the Nova…
07/25, 12:47 AM
posted by:
Blakkarr
The word “Mesa” also means flat-topped mountain and was used to describe such mountains, that looked like tables. It is also an accepted definition in all those languages you mentioned and scores more.
“Nova” was a problem, meaning “it no go” literally in most Latin languages. Though the intended meaning was “exploding star” or “explosive expression of brilliance and power”. Needless to say, the name just did not work in Mexico and other Spanish speaking markets.
07/25, 8:50 AM
posted by:
Veda
Looks too much like something from Transformers, it’s gotta be a concept. Nice try though.
07/30, 6:27 PM
posted by:
Brendino
Hmm. when i see “truck based”, i think that a truck would be close behind.
08/05, 12:15 PM
posted by:
BLISS
NOT BAD AT ALL….KEEP ON IMPROVING.