Filed under: Spy Photos, SUVs, Kia
Spy Shots: Kia Mesa uncovered
by John Neff on Aug 10th 2007 at 2:35PM 
click image above for more high-res spy shots of the Kia Mesa
Perhaps Kia thought it was being coy when it supposedly leaked an official detail image of its upcoming Mesa SUV's front end. Who needs an official detail shot, though, when you can rely on inattentive engineers who forget to cover the front end of their mule? Here we get a full frontal view of the Mesa's nose, which indeed confirms that it will closely mirror the visage of the KCD II Mesa concept on which it's based. Unfortunately, the process of converting that concept to production has also altered the front end just enough so that it looks similar to the Subaru Tribeca. The Mesa appears similar in size to a Honda Pilot, or perhaps a Ford Explorer, since it's reportedly a proper SUV, not a car-based CUV. It's expected to be offered with Hyundai's 3.8L V6 producing upwards of 260 horsepower, but like all new models coming out of Hyundai/Kia, a V8 is rumored to be considered, as well.
[Photos: KGP Photography]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Skhardra 2:39PM (8/10/2007)
Looks nice, very conservative and 'safe', but a nice design. Just the kind of design needed to lure in Toyota and Honda buyers.
Does the Mesa share it's platform with either the Santa Fe or Veracruz?
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John Neff 2:54PM (8/10/2007)
No, both the VeraCruz and Santa Fe are CUVs, not SUVs. To be honest, I don't know where Kia's getting the platform for the Mesa and it's entirely confusing why they've chose to go with a body-on-frame SUV rather than the more popular unibody design.
Don 3:29PM (8/10/2007)
A proper SUV? Wow.
Ligor 2:48PM (8/10/2007)
at first look I though I was looking at an updated Pacifica, but then I read the titel.
it look ok from what we can see so far. not a bad job.
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StinkyPete 2:59PM (8/10/2007)
Doesn't look like the test drivers were enjoying the limelight.
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retsel 3:04PM (8/10/2007)
i would buy the Ford Flex over this any day... i would love a V8 awd flex...
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Ryan 3:07PM (8/10/2007)
The front end kinda reminds me of 2004-2006 Chrysler Pacifica.
URL(http://www.carsdirect.com/research/factsheet_photos?make=CD&modelid=443&acode=USB60CDS022A0&image=40CDGEA1)
But it has a good design.
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iamhoff 3:14PM (8/10/2007)
Clean, conservative design. Almost too conservative, but I'll reserve final judgement for the production vehicle. As to why they've gone traditional SUV vs CUV, maybe it's part of the whole "they're the sporty division of Hyundai/Kia" thing and part of that is they're going to cultivate the off-road racing image started with the Sportage and carried on by the Sorrento. Plus, it (potentially) gives them the cred to go after customers who tow things. Or they're daring to be different. Depending on the final weight of the thing, though, for a traditional SUV the thing will get very competitive mileage. The Veracruz is tagged at (I believe) 17/25, and unless the weight is substantially heavier than the Veracruz the mileage shouldn't be too far off of that and a far cry better than the Explorer, Trailblazer, Durango, et al.
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A.N.E. 3:22PM (8/10/2007)
Bland.
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Realisticism 3:32PM (8/10/2007)
The headlights and fog lights look eerily like my wifes 06 Honda Pilot
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TriShield 3:39PM (8/10/2007)
They took the Chevrolet Tahoe, beat it with a Korean ugly stick and this is the result.
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alex 3:40PM (8/10/2007)
oh look! its the last gen mdx / current explorer / every single old design cue under the sun from the last 5 years...what a mesa.
(I couldnt resist!)
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wow 3:49PM (8/10/2007)
We just bought a 07 Santa Fe. What a great CUV! The Hyundai/Kia is doing a great job making quality cars/suvs. I have high hopes for the Genesis, which I'll be trading-in my G35 for a new coupe or genesis.
Good job Hyundai/Kia!!!
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Stephen 3:59PM (8/10/2007)
I didn't know the Pacifica was worth copying.
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BCM 4:04PM (8/10/2007)
Earlier this year I rented a 2007 Kia Sorento for a day and while it was a fairly nice vehicle, it returned less than 11 mpg in a mix of highway and suburban driving. I can't imagine what that 3.8l V6 will do hauling around an even larger and heavier vehicle.
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Bryan 8:45PM (8/10/2007)
Already boring, already done...next!
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RockStoneSteel 10:22PM (8/10/2007)
Those front fenders and in fact the whole profile looks just like the Vera Cruz.
Another good point is, it appears to have a fully independent rear suspension. So it should allow a good ride and plenty of good articulation for light duty off road use.
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cody 8:54AM (8/11/2007)
why would you want something that big?
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Jordan 6:23PM (8/12/2007)
Mesa? Why would they name a car the word for "table" in Spanish?
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Holly 10:52PM (8/16/2007)
Sedona, Sorento, Santa Fe (Hyundai, I know, but all the same), Tiburon (ditto the Hyundai disclaimer), Tucson (ditto again), Mesa...They're all places.
Mesa, AZ; Sedona, AZ; Tucson, AZ; Tiburon, CA, Sorento/Sorrento, Italy; Santa Fe, NM......
Don't think they were thinking about tables when they named it.