Skip to main content

Kia (Page 22)

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 Armen Hareyan on May 17, 2011 - 2:34PM
Car companies do a fairly good job in marketing their automobiles via Facebook. In fact KIA Soul has a very engaging Facebook page. This is probably why one KIA fan from UK envies the U.S. version of the Soul fan page.
By Adrian Dorofte on May 11, 2011 - 12:28PM
The Stateside subsidiary KIA MOTORS AMERICA has recently issued the pricing list and further details on its first model featuring alternative power: the Kia Optima Hybrid.
By Patrick Rall on May 4, 2011 - 11:54AM
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall of 2011 Kia Sorrento and 2010 Hyundai Santé Fe sport utility vehicles over a possible transmission problem that could lead to total transmission failure and loss of motive power.
By Patrick Rall on May 4, 2011 - 10:28AM
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall of select Kia Spectra models over concerns of excessive corrosion (rust) on the metal straps that secure the fuel tank in place as, when the corrosion is severe enough, the straps could fail and the fuel tank could literally fall out of the vehicle.
By Don Bain on April 28, 2011 - 5:59PM
Ever since the Kia Soul and Nissan Cube began competing in 2008 with the Scion xB (which had a few years on them in North America), the ubiquitous urban utility vehicle (we’ll suggest U2V) has been hard to escape. They’re on the road, on the television and even the hamsters have taken a liking to them.
By Cheryl Phillips on April 28, 2011 - 3:37PM
The Nielsen Company named its “Automotive Ad of the Year” winner at the 2011 New York International Auto Show, giving Kia’s popular rapping hamsters, the Soul, the top award for the second year in a row.

By Keith Griffin on April 27, 2011 - 10:32PM
Polk, a provider of automotive information, has determined that Toyota was the most popular brand among African American new car buyers in 2010. Ford, Chevrolet and Honda were all practically locked in a statistical tie for second place.
By Cheryl Phillips on April 27, 2011 - 2:56PM
Women around the world have become very influential in the decision making process of purchasing an automobile. The newly released 2011 Women’s World Car of the Year Award winners list will certainly play a part in that decision for women who are in the market for a new car.
By Frank Sherosky on April 12, 2011 - 5:59PM
Compared to last years SAE World Congress, this year’s event has major OEMs like GM, Kia and Nissan showing off their electrified technology; but, as usual, Ford wins the race in displays.
By Don Bain on April 11, 2011 - 9:37PM
When the 2011 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) debuts later this month, New Englanders will have the opportunity to see some of the most stylish and innovative vehicles ever. From the most powerful car in the world to the very first crossover convertible and the incredible debut of a hybrid Porsche, these are the cars turning heads and making headlines.
By Don Bain on April 11, 2011 - 2:04PM
Driving the No. 10 Infinity Audio Kia Forte Koup, Michael Galati and Nic Jonsson took first place in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race April 9, scoring Kia's first racing victory in company history.
By John Matras on March 31, 2011 - 12:12AM
Kia ups its ante in the electric vehicle poker game by introducing a new battery electric concept vehicle at the Seoul Motor Show. Called the Kia Naimo, the new concept has boxy styling reminiscent of the Kia Soul.
By Don Bain on March 21, 2011 - 3:35PM
NADAguides, the leading provider of vehicle pricing and information, has revealed the results of their vehicle comparison for the least expensive choices to achieve better mileage on your commute. Their report identifies the top five non-hybrid, high mileage vehicles under $30,000 that deliver more than you’d expect for the money.
By Patrick Rall on March 11, 2011 - 6:04PM
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that Kia is recalling select Optima sedans over a transmission shift cable problem that could cause the vehicle to roll away when the vehicle is parked.
By Keith Griffin on February 28, 2011 - 7:56AM
Kia is the new title sponsor of the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge at Homestead-Miami Speedway – creating a race called the Kia 200.
By Keith Griffin on January 25, 2011 - 4:24PM
U.S. News Cars has released its third annual Best Car for the Money awards and it is not an inspiring list for car enthusiasts. Maybe two of the cars will get your motor running, in spite of claims this list of vehicles earns highest marks for overall value and appeal in their categories.
By Keith Griffin on January 12, 2011 - 12:51PM
Ford’s resurgence is shown with the announcement that it has the highest rate of overall customer loyalty with its win at the 15th annual Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards, presented at the Automotive News World Congress as part of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Kia is the brand with most improved loyalty.
By Keith Griffin on January 12, 2011 - 11:17AM
Kia has put the 2011 Detroit Auto Show firmly in its rearview mirror with the release of sketches of the 2012 Kia Rio that will be shown at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show in March. So, apparently the Kia KV7 concept literally is yesterday’s news.
By Keith Griffin on January 11, 2011 - 12:33PM
Lost amidst all the hype for the 2011 North American Truck of the Year was the somewhat stealth announcement that the Kia Sportage was named 2011 International Truck of the Year at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.
By Keith Griffin on January 5, 2011 - 5:07PM
That association with the NBA appears to be paying dividends for Kia, which has ended 2010 with record annual sales of 356,268 units, up 18.7-percent over 2009 and a 16.6-percent increase over the annual mark set in 2007.
By Patrick Rall on December 13, 2010 - 3:12PM
Kia has issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for concerns over the accelerator pedal assembly of the 2011 Optima. Multiple sources have reported this Kia TSB but it is unclear as to whether or not any vehicles have experienced an unintended acceleration issue similar to the one experienced by those seen in the millions of recalled Toyotas.
By Patrick Rall on December 9, 2010 - 8:53AM
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall of almost 7,700 2011 model year Sorento sporty utility vehicles over a concern of improperly machined rear brake calipers which could allow the brake fluid system to leak.
By Jeffrey Zygmont on December 9, 2010 - 7:56AM
Dealer experience suggest that Kia, once considered a seller of second-rate, used-car alternatives, today is becoming so well liked by American drivers that it is approaching cult status for some. A dealer now sees customers who are actively engaged by Kia vehicles and acutely interested in the company's plans and activities.
By Jeffrey Zygmont on December 6, 2010 - 4:53PM
The two American car brands with Korean roots – Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America – have already set all-time annual sales records, with one month still remaining before the year ends. Similarly, Japan-based Subaru of America closed November with an 11-month sales total that tops its previous 12-month record. The trio becomes the first U.S. auto retailers to fully recover from the car market's big contraction that began in 2008.