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Kia (Page 16)

Kia

In this section of Torque News you can find the latest news from Kia and news about Kia vehicles. Keith Griffin is the Hyundai/Kia news reporter at Torque News and can be followed on Twitter at IndepthAuto.

Kia became a company in the 1940s but didn’t sell its first car in the U.S. until 1992. It now sells in over 180 countries. Since joining forces with its Korean rival Hyundai in 1998, Kia models have come a long way from what they used to be and are now well-designed vehicles with the latest the industry has to offer.

The combined Hyundai – Kia operation is the fifth largest automaker in the United States. Kia has a manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia where it produces three models: the top-selling Telluride CUV, Sorento CUV, and the new K5 midsize sedan. It also ships vehicles for sale in Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean and Pacific nations.

Here’s a little bit of trivia for you. The word “Kia” is derived from the Chinese characters Ki, meaning to “arise or come up out of” and a, referring to Asia. So when put together, Kia means to “arise or come up out of Asia.”

Kia’s extensive lineup includes sedans and SUVs of all sizes, hatchbacks, a minivan, an all-electric model, hybrids and plug-in hybrids, a quick and sporty four-door hatchback, and a large and very luxurious sedan.

Unlike Hyundai’s more conservative lineup, Kia offers sportier designs and driving dynamics. The quick Stinger GT and Forte GT are fun-to-drive examples while models like the Optima, Sportage, and Telluride offer sleek and sporty looks.

The Telluride, K5 and Forte models are some of the brand’s top sellers. Other models include the Soul hatchback, the Niro hybrid SUV, the Rio, the Sedona minivan, and the Niro EV. The Stinger is Kia’s rear-drive sports car and the Cadenza and K900 big sedans are the brand’s luxurious offerings but have some of the poorest sales in the lineup.

New models include the big three-row Telluride SUV, the compact Seltos SUV, the the Soul EV, and the sporty K5 that replaces the Optima for 2021.

Below is a list of Kia’s models with starting prices (excludes delivery charges):

  • 2021 Kia Seltos – $21,990
  • 2021 Kia Soul – $17,490
  • 2020 Kia Niro – $24,590
  • 2020 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid – $29,400
  • 2021 Kia Sportage – $23,990
  • 2021 Kia Sorento – $29,390
  • 2021 Kia Telluride – $31,990
  • 2020 Kia Rio – $15,850
  • 2021 Kia Forte – $17,890
  • 2021 Kia K5 – $23,390
  • 2021 Kia Stinger – $33,090
  • 2020 Kia Cadenza – $37,850
  • 2020 Kia K900 – $59,900
  • 2020 Kia Niro EV – $39,090
  • 2021 Kia Soul EV – Discontinued?
  • 2021 Kia Sedona – $30,400
By Patrick Rall on June 16, 2016 - 2:45PM
The 2016 Kia Forte 5 SX isn’t marketed as a performance model, but this compact 5-door handles well and it has enough power to make it a fun daily driver – falling just short of the “hot hatch” designation without even trying while preserving all of the comforts needed to be driven through the daily grind.
By Will Maley on May 26, 2016 - 3:07PM
Sometimes, an automaker will pull a fast one when announcing new model or variant. Whether it be flashing an image during a commercial or dropping bread crumbs in a press release.
By Will Maley on May 23, 2016 - 10:05AM
You need a midsize sedan that does decently on fuel, but you don't want to put down a lot of cash for it. Lucky for you, Hyundai and Kia offer such a vehicle.
By Parks McCants on May 3, 2016 - 12:42AM
It's often tough to capture in a few words what a car will or will not do. Such is the case with Kia's 2017 Sportage SX FWD, the affordable performance crossover.
By Will Maley on March 30, 2016 - 10:04AM
Almost seven years ago, Kia starting building vehicles in the U.S. at a new production facility in West Point, Georgia. Recently, the facility reached a milestone.
By Will Maley on March 23, 2016 - 4:23PM
The full-size sedan class is one that carries one without many changes. But whenever an automaker introduces a redesigned or an all-new model, people take notice.
By Parks McCants on March 13, 2016 - 11:57PM
The difference that is 2016 Kia Soul begins with the interior image pictured above. How did Soul beat out Honda Civic, HR-V, Ford Escort and others for top family honors?
By Patrick Rall on February 19, 2016 - 3:35PM
The new 2016 Kia Optima was the subject of a Super Bowl commercial featuring Hollywood tough guy Christopher Walken in which they likened the sporty midsized sedan to a really flashy pair of socks, but after spending a week driving the turbocharged Optima, I feel that they are selling the car a little short – as this car is far better than my favorite socks.
By Will Maley on February 18, 2016 - 1:48PM
Wagon fans, we have some good news and some bad news for you.
By Will Maley on February 12, 2016 - 9:42AM
Kia has offered a hybrid version of the Optima sedan for a few years now. But they never had a model that was built solely as a hybrid. That changed yesterday at the Chicago Auto Show as Kia pulled the covers off a new dedicated hybrid model.
By Will Maley on February 5, 2016 - 3:37PM
While Hyundai is busy working on its upscale Genesis brand, Kia is trying to position itself as the youthful, sporty brand. What better way to set this image up than with a sports sedan?
By Will Maley on January 26, 2016 - 4:33PM
After being shown in concept form at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and numerous reports saying a production model would be shown, we might actually get a chance to see the production version of the Kia GT.
By Will Maley on January 14, 2016 - 11:03AM
Next month will be the Chicago Auto Show. While it is the smallest auto show in the U.S., some automakers save some big debuts for it.
By Will Maley on January 7, 2016 - 2:23PM
Whether or not you are prepared for it, the age of the autonomous car is coming. Kia is preparing itself for it by announcing a new sub-brand that will deal exclusively in autonomous tech.
By Parks McCants on January 7, 2016 - 12:54PM
After viewing Kia’s automotive entourage of cutting edge, light-truck-based concepts at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, we would expect nothing less from the Korean upstart.
By Will Maley on December 15, 2015 - 8:34PM
If you're driving along this state's road and see Kia Soul or a Hyundai Tucson without a driver, don't panic.
By Parks McCants on November 29, 2015 - 10:56PM
How does 2016 Kia Optima SX Turbo Launch Edition hold up to the competition? Surprisingly well.
By Parks McCants on September 14, 2015 - 11:21PM
Forget everything you may think you know about Kia quality, or the lack of it. 2016 Kia Sorento SXL AWD SUV, may be the best looking, best driving SUV in north America, while quashing a misconception or two. Kia Sorento SUV gives the 'Big Dogs' of the automotive world a run for the money.
By Parks McCants on September 9, 2015 - 9:30PM
Yes, I was one of those EV naysayers. looking to the long charge, short-drive-range side of the EV equation, until I drove one. 2016 Soul EV presents attainable electric auto innovation.
By Patrick Rall on August 3, 2015 - 12:39PM
I recently had a chance to spend a week driving the 2015 Kia Soul EV and while I have had a variety of other electric drive vehicles with gasoline range extending engines, this was my first extended test time in a true EV – during which I learned the many upsides and the sole downside to daily driving a pure electric vehicle.
By Parks McCants on July 9, 2015 - 7:27PM
Korea based Kia Motors is dedicated to the manufacturing and promotion of this fun, all electric-drive 5 door hatchback, and is expanding EV availability in the Pacific Northwest. Great, what’s it cost, and when can I buy or lease one?
By Aaron Turpen on May 15, 2015 - 12:09PM
Most people shopping in the small to midsize crossover category will likely cross-shop these two closely.
By Armen Hareyan on May 9, 2015 - 8:16PM
Kia Soul EV has the same price, better range and sells under a decimal point compared to Nissan LEAF.
By Patrick Rall on February 6, 2015 - 2:58PM
The Kia brand has come a very long way in the last decade and the 2015 K900 Luxury with the VIP Package is a shining example of just how great the Korean automaker has grown – and how much Kia can offer someone wants premium luxury at a big discount.
By Patrick Rall on December 7, 2014 - 9:45AM
While the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid has some unique features on the outside to improve aerodynamics and efficiency, the Korean automaker has done an awesome job of applying hybrid technology to a great looking, well-appointed midsized sedan – preserving all of the good aspects of the non-hybrid Optima while adding very real 37mpg capabilities.
By Patrick Rall on November 17, 2014 - 6:50PM
The compact coupe segment in the US market has shrunken a great deal in recent years, but the 2014 Kia Forte SX Koup is proof that those drivers who want a great 2-door compact that is stylish, fun to drive, comfortable and well-appointed can do so without spending a fortune.
By Luke Ottaway on October 21, 2014 - 9:31AM
And so the trend of plug-in hybrid conversions of existing models continues. Even Hyundai/Kia is in on the game now, with a recent announcement of an electrified Sonata and Optima coming next year. The most important part may be the sticker price.
By John Goreham on October 9, 2014 - 3:26PM
Hyundai-Kia may very well be the most fuel efficient major automaker in America. Yet, the EPA will not let them have the title. Here's why.
By Luke Ottaway on September 11, 2014 - 4:05PM
Another electric vehicle will soon be arriving on U.S. shores. The 2015 Kia Soul EV will bring with it a price tag fairly typical of its class, but many buyers may opt for the lease.
By Keith Griffin on June 16, 2014 - 6:14AM
The 2011 to 2013 model year Kia Sorentos have been recalled for a stalling problem and frustrated owners will say it's about time after frustrating experiences trying to get the problem fixed to no avail. Dealers couldn't find the problem until Kia came up with a solution.