Under the new buyback scheme, Kia India guarantees a residual value of up to 75% for ICE models and 70% for EVs over a three‑year horizon. For a buyer, that means the car’s future worth is set at the moment of purchase, cutting the uncertainty that usually plagues resale markets.
The programme covers six nameplates – Sonet, Syros, New Seltos, Carens, Carens Clavis and Sorento – across petrol, diesel, CNG, hybrid and electric variants. Tenure options stretch from three to five years for ICE cars and three to four years for EVs, with mileage caps of 10,000, 15,000 or 20,000 km per year and a total limit of 100,000 km.
Kia’s move puts it a step ahead of competitors. Hyundai’s buy‑back plan is limited to the Solaris and the NEXO, while Tata offers a similar scheme only for the Altroz and Nexon, and only for ICE models. By extending coverage to hybrids and EVs, Kia broadens its appeal to buyers who value long‑term depreciation protection.
The policy is timely, as India’s EV mandate pushes manufacturers to sell more electric cars, yet resale values remain murky due to battery wear, rapid model refreshes and scant historical data. A guaranteed residual value helps offset these risks, making the total cost of ownership more predictable for a market still wary of EV depreciation.
The programme launched on 9 October 2026 and is live at all 910 Kia dealerships across 419 cities. Prospective buyers can enrol at the point of sale, and the third‑party partner handles valuation and settlement, keeping the process straightforward.
What’s next? Keep an eye on Kia’s upcoming battery‑pack upgrades and the potential rollout of a dedicated EV‑only buyback tier as the market matures.