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 Kia is the least expensive for 2021?
10 New Cars Under $20,000 for 2021
- Kia Forte priced at $18,855. Kia.
- View photos of the Kia Soul ($18,610).
- $17,015. Kia Rio Vehicle and Driver
- View photos of the Hyundai Accent ($16,390).
- View photos of the $15,855 Nissan Versa.
- $15,290 Mitsubishi Mirage MORE DATA.
- $14,395 for a Chevrolet Spark MORE DATA.
- Cheapest luxury vehicles available today. THE LIST IS HERE.
What is the cost of the cheapest Kia SUV?
- 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.
Is a Kia a cheap vehicle?
Why are KIAs so inexpensive when they are regarded for having a comfortable ride, a respectable new-vehicle warranty, and lots of cargo space?
Each automobile owner has a reason(s) for favoring a particular brand’s model. While some people are seeking the excitement and speed, others are searching for a reliable car for their family. The features you require, how the car is made, and the brand will all affect how much it costs. While some purchasers aren’t concerned with the vehicle’s price, others will focus on the perks that come with the cost.
KIAs are affordable since the raw material for their car bodies is plastic. As they are designed to survive five to seven years, they have a short production line and a bad image as disposable cars. Another factor contributing to KIAs affordability is the cheap cost of labor.
The company’s entry into the United States wasn’t easy, and most people thought of KIA as a budget brand with subpar automobiles. But over time, the Korean business has worked to disprove these allegations by spending money on production and research to demonstrate KIA’s dependability.
Continue reading to find out why KIAs are so affordable and whether you should buy one.
Here is what we learned after conducting our investigation and speaking with numerous professionals in the field of vehicle production.
Styling and Presence
Hyundai and Kia have extremely comparable vehicle lineups. Though it’s important to note that Hyundai has established a luxury branch named Genesis that largely addresses those gaps, Kia does provide a few vehicles that Hyundai doesn’t. Hyundai’s aesthetic is generally much more restrained and understated, with slender curves and unobtrusive round forms making up the majority of the design elements. However, compared to their Hyundai cousins, Kia vehicles have sportier style that gives them a more aggressive and dynamic appearance. In a similar vein, compared to the Hyundai model, Kia SUV vehicles have a more robust, off-road oriented look. In general, Hyundai automobiles are more likely to blend in with the crowd, but Kia styling is more angular and futuristic, designed to grab attention and make a statement.
Performance and Handling
Although Hyundai and Kia share platforms and drivetrains, we already established that each company maintains its own independent engineering divisions. This is significant because it enables individual ride and handling characteristics to be tuned for each brand of car. It’s risky to generalize given the large range of vehicles available, including hatchbacks, sedans, crossovers, and vans. In contrast, a comparable Hyundai vehicle is probably going to prioritize a smoother, but disconnected-feeling ride, whilst you will probably find that Kia vehicles provide more dynamic, engaging handling qualities. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but in our opinion, Kia automobiles’ special chassis tuning significantly increases fun.
Price and Value
Kia automobiles are typically less priced than their Hyundai counterparts. The comparable Hyundai Elantra starts at $19,850, while the Kia Forte starts at $17,890. Although the Forte is less priced, Kia didn’t scrimp on quality or features. Like Hyundai, Kia provides one of the best warranties in the industry, which is ten years and 100,000 miles. Both companies offer quality that is unmatched in the industry and stand behind their products. Kia came in third place in the J.D. ahead of manufacturers like Toyota, Chevrolet, and even Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study*. Even Hyundai’s luxury division, Genesis, ended behind Kia. Only Porsche and Lexus were ranked higher among mass market brands in terms of quality than Kia. At the top of that list, Kia is, in our opinion, in good company. It’s also important to note that J.D. Power named the Kia Optima, Sorento, and Sportage as the top cars in their respective classes. Power.
The Kia Advantage
In conclusion, Kia cars offer greater value and better quality, with bolder style and a more dynamic driving experience, even though Kia and Hyundai offer comparable vehicles. Simply put, no matter what you value most in a car, Kia automobiles are better overall. Of course, it is ultimately up to you to decide. We recognize that purchasing a new car is a significant investment. We advise you to test drive both brands since we are certain that you will ultimately decide on a Kia. Any way you look at it, it’s unquestionably the better option. Please forgive me, Hyundai.
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 does a brand-new Kia Sportage cost?
What Is the Price of a Kia Sportage? Starting at $24,090, the entry-level 2021 Sportage LX is marginally less expensive than usual for a compact SUV. Starting prices for the S and EX mid-level trims are $26,590 and $27,390, respectively. At $33,750, the top-of-the-line SX Turbo variant is available.
Which Kia model is the most well-liked?
Top Selling Vehicles in the USA in 2017 by BrandKia
- 1Kia Forte: YTD 2017 Sales: 117,596 Comparison to 2016’s total: +13.8%
- Total 2017 sales for the 2Kia Soul: 115,712 Difference from the total for 2016: -20.6 percent
- Optima 3Ki.
- Toyota Sorento.
- Sportage 5Ki.
Are Kia vehicles reliable?
To obtain their overall reliability ratings, the RepairPal team considers a number of different variables. Simply put, your out-of-pocket ownership expenditures will be cheaper the more dependable your car is. The cost, frequency, and severity of repairs are some of these variables. In order to calculate an individual brand’s total RepairPal reliability rating, these categories are averaged.
In the RepairPal reliability rankings, Kia came in at number three, including second place when only non-luxury brands were included. The Kia Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, placing it third among all car brands out of 32. This evaluation is based on the average of 345 different models.
“Kia had three well-liked models, including the Soul, Rio, and Forte, in the top 30 with Excellent ratings. The Optima and Sorento, two of its most well-liked cars, kept their Excellent rankings within the top 100.
Are Kia automobiles durable?
Maintaining the factory-recommended maintenance plan and taking care of problems as soon as they appear are the best ways to maintain your Kia in good working order. Any material or workmanship flaws should be covered by the Kia guarantee that comes with new and certified pre-owned cars, but these protections ultimately run out.
If your car needs repairs after the first warranty period has passed, an extended warranty might assist cover the cost of such unforeseen expenses. Kia has an extended warranty that may be purchased directly from the company, but you can also acquire coverage from third parties.
Independent extended warranty providers frequently provide more options for coverage, older vehicle coverage, a larger network of repair facilities, and more comprehensive benefits. Endurance and CarShield are two companies that we suggest.
Endurance: Best Coverage
Up to 8 years or 200,000+ miles of additional warranty coverage are possible with Endurance. Additionally, Endurance offers some of the market’s most comprehensive contracts. There are five different coverage options available, ranging from straightforward powertrain coverage to complete bumper-to-bumper warranty protection.
CarShield: Best Value
Additionally, CarShield provides extended warranty protection for cars with up to 300,000 miles on the odometer, potentially doubling the Kia factory warranty’s scope of coverage. CarShield offers a solid reputation in the market, a wide range of coverage options, and some of the most affordable contracts available.
For more information, see our comprehensive CarShield review. To get a free, no-risk CarShield quote, click the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kia is a dependable automaker. Overall, Kia receives a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing it third overall (out of 32 brands).
Both Kia and Toyota are well-known for their dependability, and both have a 4.0 out of 5.0 RepairPal reliability rating. Kias may be marginally more reliable, while RepairPal puts Toyota seventh overall and Kia third.
Kias require an average of 0.2 unforeseen repair shop visits year, according to RepairPal. This is half of the 0.4 visits per year average for all brands. You have a one in five risk of needing an unforeseen repair each year, according to this statistic.
Previously, the Kia name was associated with low-cost, subpar vehicles. This is partly because the brand’s automobiles had a lot of issues when it first appeared in the United States. Since then, Kia has made fleet improvements and has earned a reputation for having great reliability.
Yes, Kias have a reputation for lasting just as long as other trustworthy cars like Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota. Although the powertrain is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty for up to 100,000 miles, many owners keep their Kias for much longer.
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.