Although Kia manufactures automobiles with an emphasis on value, the company has recently tried to improve the look, features, and performance of their goods. Even though the carmaker currently produces some vehicles that are genuinely elegant or enjoyable to drive, it still competes in the entry-level market.
The Rio sedan, which has a starting price of $17,000, is the least priced Kia currently on the market. The hatchback version of the Rio is also offered, although it costs roughly $1,000 extra.
Most Expensive: The maximum price for a new Kia has drastically decreased now that the K900 is no longer offered in the U.S. range. A Niro EV EX Premium can be yours for just under $46,000. A Stinger may also be optioned up for more than $50,000.
The name of this vehicle sums it up best. The Stinger feels poised and prepared to attack thanks to its RWD chassis, turbocharged engine choices, and sport-tuned suspension. It is also somewhat practical because to its unusual hatchback load space.
Best Fuel Economy: Up until the arrival of the fully electric EV6, the Niro hatchback is the most fuel-efficient Kia, scoring up to 50 mpg combined. A plug-in hybrid version of the Niro with a range of 560 miles and an EPA-rated 105 mpg-e is also offered.
As soon as a car is released, we want to test and rank as many of them as we can. We’ll rank new models as we periodically update our rankings and we might even change the scores for some models. Vehicles with insufficient testing data, however, are not scored.
In This Article...
What does the cheapest Kia SUV cost?
- Kia Soul 2021. Priced from $17,490 MSRP* | Seating 5 | MPGUp to 28 City/33 Highway/28 Combined**
- Kia Seltos 2021. Beginning at $21,990 MSRP* | Seating5 | MPGUp to 27/31/29
- Kia Niro 2020.
- Kia Sportage in 2021.
- Kia Sorento 2021.
- Kia Telluride for 2021.
Kias: Still affordable?
The South Korean automaker Kia did not enjoy the same reputation or level of popularity in the 1990s as it has today. Most people’s eyes would roll into the back of their heads at the mere concept of purchasing a Kia. Today, Kia continues to dominate the automotive industry with top-selling vehicles like the Telluride, Sportage, and Sorento.
Because they produce high-quality cars with lots of entertainment and safety amenities, Kias are very well-liked. But as we all know, Kias’ high popularity is mostly due to their affordability, particularly when compared to that of their rivals.
Evidently, if you produce affordable, high-quality cars with plenty of features, people will buy them. Who could have imagined? Seriously, why are Kias so inexpensive? Let’s look at some of the possible explanations for why Kias, despite their generally outstanding quality, are offered for less.
Why Are Kias So Cheap: The Main Reasons
Due to their significant cost advantage over the rest of the competition, Kia vehicles are less expensive than equivalent models from other manufacturers. In case you were unaware, Kia was acquired by the Hyundai Motor Group in 1998 in order to keep it afloat. Hyundai now holds a 33.88 percent stake in Kia Motors. However, it’s important to keep in mind that Hyundai and Kia are two separate automakersyou may think of them as corporate sisters.
This is significant because the only automakers having their own foundries are Hyundai and Kia. The cost of metals increases because all other automakers must purchase them from metal producers. Naturally, this enables Kia and Hyundai to produce the metals needed for their automobiles. As a result, Kia is able to produce automobiles for less money and charge less than its rivals.
Furthermore, there is just one assembly factory in the United States and the majority of Kia’s facilities are in South Korea. As a result, Kia is able to import vehicles duty-free into the United States.
Furthermore, Kia uses fewer expensive metals and polymers to construct their vehicles. Kia is highly clever when it comes to production, even though the materials used are of poorer grade than those used by other manufacturers. Many of Kia’s interiors appear and feel luxurious since some of the less expensive plastics are used sparingly, but the company nevertheless managed to reduce production costs and pass the savings on to the customers.
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Is Kia a Reliable Brand?
Why are Kias so inexpensive? Is it the fact that they are unstable and prone to failure? Kia, on the other hand, is one of the more dependable brands out there, according to experts.
Kia receives the highest overall rating for vehicle dependability in the most current 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study by J.D. Power. With a third-place overall reliability ranking in 2021, Kia has been improving the dependability of its vehicles. Buick and neighboring South Korean automaker Hyundai are listed after Kia.
We can find a comparable account of Kia’s dependability on RepairPal. According to RepairPal, Kia is rated as having a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, placing it third among all 32 auto brands. Additionally, compared to the $652 average across all models, Kia owners are likely to spend $474 less annually on repairs.
Because Kia owners are only anticipated to visit the mechanic 0.2 times a year for unexpected visits, they visit less frequently. Furthermore, compared to the average of 0.4 times for all makes and models, just 10% of all Kia repairs are deemed severe.
There are many things you may criticize Kia cars for, but dependability is not one of them.
We have a selection of quick two-seaters if you’re in the market. See our ranking of the top two-seater vehicles available today.
Is It Worth It to Buy a Kia?
Kia automobiles certainly have some obvious flaws and are far from flawless. Customers are wary of Kias because of these problems, especially when they are sold for significantly less money.
Because they provide outstanding value, Kia has managed to win over customers. Although its reduced pricing has helped to increase its appeal, Kia isn’t just well-liked because of this. Kia has done an excellent job of paying attention to client feedback and incorporating it into their upcoming models. As a result, Kia continues to advance, win accolades, and set sales records.
With a car that is reasonably priced, you get good performance, excellent safety ratings, eye-catching designs, and a substantial standard warranty. Is it worthwhile to purchase a Kia? Today, you’ll be less likely to regret purchasing a Kia than in the past.
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What does a basic Kia cost?
Soul LX Kia The base model, which costs $19,190, has a continuously variable automatic transmission and a four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower (CVT).
What is the name of the compact Kia SUV?
*The price listed as the “Starting MSRP” is the MSRP for the base model trim. The MSRP of the model is listed in the “Build and Price” section. Destination and handling fees, taxes, title, license fees, extras, and dealer fees are not included in the MSRP. vehicles with optional extras displayed. Dealer sets the actual pricing, which can change. The “Build and Price section” contains information on the applicable destination and handling fees for each model. Details are available from the dealer. Some features are exclusive to certain bundles. Details can be found on the “Features & Specifications” and “Options” pages. The availability of vehicles, destination and handling costs, colors, materials, specs, features, accessories, packages, and models are all subject to change at any time by Kia America, Inc. typographical or technological issues not my fault.
What Kia model is the smallest?
The tiny Kia Rio sedan and Rio five-door hatchback, which make up Kia’s smallest and most economical vehicle lineup, were first debuted for the 2018 model year and received an update for 2021. For 2022, the Rio remains unmodified, and we won’t see a completely new model for at least a few more years.
Kia Rio: What We Think
For what it is, the Rio is a fantastic small car. The interior displays a wonderful mix of materials and has a lot of physical buttons; while being affordable, it doesn’t feel that way. The tiny vehicle from Kia is passably enjoyable to drive, with a supple ride and superb body control. Although the design is unimpressive and the engine lacks power, these flaws are readily made up for by outstanding fuel efficiency and affordable cost.
Kia Forte: What’s New
The tiny Kia Forte receives a midcycle redesign for 2022, one size larger. The front and rear bumpers, headlights, and trunklid spoiler have all been updated as part of the makeover. For the LXS and GT grades, new wheel designs are now available.
The GT and GT-Line have a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while all versions gain a larger 4.2-inch instrument cluster display inside. A few additional safety features have also been added by Kia; lane following, adaptive cruise control with navigation, and safety exit warning are now standard.
Kia Forte: What We Think
The Forte is a perfectly good compact sedan, but now that the new Honda Civic has on the market, there are better alternatives. The base engine’s performance is underwhelming, and the CVT transmission it is mated to is improperly adjusted, resulting in unpleasant engine noise. Although the ride quality is subpar as well, the Forte stands out from its competitors thanks to its interior design and newly available bigger touchscreen.
Kia K5: What’s New
The old Optima was renamed the K5 when Kia unveiled a completely new midsize four-door only last year. Apart from the new badge design, a 10.3-inch touchscreen screen that comes standard on higher grades, and brown leather upholstery that is optional on the K5 GT, the K5 is largely the same this year.
Kia K5: What We Think
The K5 contrasts sharply with the Optima’s smooth lines, having strong creases all over the exterior and a sloping, coupe-like shape. The optional 2.5-liter turbo-four gives plenty of power for a car this size and is quite the handler in GT configuration. However, the ride quality is on the harsher side, and the powertrain and steering are unimpressive in lesser versions. Even if the material quality looks to be inadequate, interior design is strong. The K5 is middle of the pack as a whole.
Kia Stinger: What’s New
The flagship Kia Stinger receives a midcycle facelift for 2022, four years after making its debut for the 2018 model year. First off, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder base engine has been replaced with a 2.5-liter turbo-four with 300 horsepower, which produces 45 extra horses. Additionally, the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V-6 gains 3 horsepower.
The new Kia emblem, a classy Ascot Green exterior paint option, new LED headlights and taillights, redesigned wheel designs, and wider quad exhaust tips are among the additional improvements. A 10.3-inch infotainment screen and Kia’s Blind Zone View Monitor, which lets you view what’s in your blind spot on a display inside the instrument panel, are also standard inside the cabin. Auto emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane following, safe exit warning, and navigation-based adaptive cruise control are additional standard safety features.
Kia Stinger: What We Think
The Stinger is a remarkably adaptable car. Large things may be easily accommodated in the hatchback’s cargo capacity, and the inside fittings are outstanding and almost luxurious. Stingers also have excellent handling, robust drivetrains, and less unnecessary body motion. This is still one of our favorite vehicles to drive, even though the transmission could be a little more responsive and we’d prefer less road noise.
Kia Carnival: What’s New
The only brand-new vehicle from Kia for 2022 is the Carnival minivan, which will replace the Sedona people mover. In spite of Kia’s insistence that it is a “MPV” (multipurpose vehicle), it has the shape and three rows of seating to rival the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Chrysler Pacifica. Highlights include the greatest cargo space in the segment, a classy exterior design, and a comprehensive list of driver assistance features.
Kia Carnival: What We Think
The Carnival triumphed in a four-way comparison against other minivans. The new minivan from Kia has the best styling in its class, an unrivaled feature-to-dollar ratio, and an abundance of family-friendly features. Although hybrid and all-wheel drive models are not available, Kia has created a winning formula by combining those advantages with the Carnival’s plush comfort and cutting-edge technology.