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Kia (Page 14)

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 John Goreham on May 6, 2019 - 3:10PM
The Kia Niro is Car of the Year. Not "Green" Car of the Year. Just a regular car of the year. Here's why this award matters.
By Armen Hareyan on May 3, 2019 - 12:14PM
Whether buying an electric car vs leasing is a good idea or not depends on many factors including your driving habits and needs. Lat's take a look at Kia Sould EV's case when it comes to buying vs leasing an EV.
By John Goreham on April 25, 2019 - 10:15AM
The New Kia Telluride has a lot of great features. One that caught our attention is the new Safe Exit Assist system that every parent will appreciate.
By John Goreham on April 2, 2019 - 4:22PM
We compare the 2019 Kia Niro Battery Electric Car to the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus and come away surprised by some similarities and also by some stark contrasts.
By Marc Stern on February 28, 2019 - 11:33PM
Hyundai and Kia, South Korea's prominent automakers, today added another 534,000 vehicles to an ongoing recall. The automakers have recalled vehicles to prevent vehicle fires, without crashes. According to the Center for Auto Safety, the number of vehicles now affected by problem fires is up to 300, though no crashes or injuries have been reported.
By John Goreham on December 14, 2018 - 3:27PM
Kia's K900 is new for 2019. We test this full-size luxury car and find it has a lot to offer for an exclusive list of shoppers.
By Marc Stern on November 12, 2018 - 12:48AM
Kia has recalled 16,011 Stingers to fix a potential problem. The vehicles, built from 2017-18, have a problem in the left fender. Due to a burr in the fender, it is possible that a wiring harness may wearing. That wear could mean a fire.
By Denis Flierl on November 7, 2018 - 4:04PM
This week we drive the top-of-the-lineup KIA Forte EX. See why it’s a good value proposition.
By Marc Stern on October 25, 2018 - 1:46PM
Following the fire death of an Ohio man in a 2014 Kia Soul and the pressure of the Center for Auto Safety, a Senate panel plans November hearings into whether a Hyundai, Kia recall goes far enough. In case you didn't know, Hyundai is a partner with Kia in building cars.
By Denis Flierl on August 11, 2018 - 10:25AM
Check out the new 2019 Kia Sorento. If you need a third row occasionally, it offers a smaller footprint.
By Armen Hareyan on June 12, 2018 - 5:05PM
At what mileage/kilometers on the odometer would you all deem EV is getting old? "Ultimately I am curious what the life expectancy is on one of these vehicles. I know you can continuously replace EV Battery Cells as they go bad rather than changing the entire battery pack," asks one Kia Soul EV owner in one of the popular electric car groups on Facebook, which actively discussed EV battery life expectancy.
By Marc Stern on June 11, 2018 - 12:24PM
Kia has launched a major recall campaign to fix the front seatbelt pretensioners on 500,000 vehicles. If the problem not repaired there is a risk of injuries to people in the front seat.
By Patrick Rall on May 15, 2018 - 4:20PM
I recently had a chance to spend a week behind the wheel of a 2017 Kia Niro Touring and I came away from the experience impressed with the driving dynamics and the loaded cabin of the roomy hybrid hatchback.
By Denis Flierl on February 7, 2018 - 7:59AM
The all-new Kia Stinger could be the hottest new car from South Korea they’ve ever built. Look what happened from their Super Bowl ad.
By Denis Flierl on February 1, 2018 - 11:52AM
The all-new 2018 Kia Stinger makes the short list for the 2018 World Car of the Year title.
By Denis Flierl on January 20, 2018 - 10:03AM
The all-new 2018 Kia Rio could be the best subcompact under $20K. Check out our latest review.
By Armen Hareyan on January 9, 2018 - 12:07PM
Finally someone thought to solve the problem of silent EVs. The 2018 Kia Niro EV has a simple feature that solves a huge safety problem with electric cars. This simple feature should be installed in Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3, Nissan Leaf and all other EVs that silent powertrains.
By Michael Gagliardi on January 8, 2018 - 5:43PM
The arrival of new cars in dealer showrooms this year range from your typical, run-of-the-mill Toyota Prius to something a little more extra, such as the newest model BMW M3. But with a $65,000 price tag, this may not be the most financially suitable option, unless you’re sleeping in a bed full of money. Therefore, I present to you the Underdog: The 2018 Kia Stinger.
By Denis Flierl on January 2, 2018 - 8:50AM
Kia knows they have a hot new model and dealers are already jacking up the price on the new Stinger. The "Naughty Kia Dealers List” will keep you from overpaying.
By Denis Flierl on December 16, 2017 - 11:17AM
The new Kia Stinger is already getting awards. It just overtook BMW for a top engine award.
By Denis Flierl on December 2, 2017 - 12:17PM
The 2018 Kia Stinger is in rarified air and makes the final list for 2018 North American Car of the Year. It’s pitted against Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
By Parks McCants on November 19, 2017 - 8:15PM
Last week after spending a week in Hyundai’s outstanding 2018 Santa Fe Sport, sister brand’s 2018 Kia Rio was delivered for drive review. I felt a bit ego deflated until I drove Kia Rio, it’s fun! What makes Rio a top value in a segment dominated by $25,000 compact hatchbacks?

By Denis Flierl on November 17, 2017 - 7:40AM
The all-new 2018 Stinger delivers heart-pounding power with the higher-performance GT starting at $38,350.
By Parks McCants on November 5, 2017 - 9:40PM
A capable compact utility hatchback by any measure, 2018 Kia Soul earns the Insurance Institute’s highest safety rating possible when equipped with this option.
By Denis Flierl on November 1, 2017 - 10:44AM
Kia launches their first performance vehicle and their fastest model ever. Stinger GT shows how far the brand has come.
By Denis Flierl on October 5, 2017 - 11:23AM
You better pay attention to the Kia brand because they are on the move. Check out the hot new Kia Stinger.
By Armen Hareyan on September 19, 2017 - 12:56PM
Leaked document shows the 2018 Kia Soul EV model's battery improvement, but not enough. Is there anything KIA can do to make it competitive? Yes, if it can make this simple step.
By Tim Healey on May 22, 2017 - 12:27PM
The federal government is looking into a recall of 1.7 million Hyundais and Kias to make sure it was executed properly.
By Tim Healey on May 16, 2017 - 12:14PM
The Hyundai Veloster and Kia Soul have a lot in common.
By Tim Healey on May 12, 2017 - 3:20PM
South Korea’s government is compelling Hyundai and Kia to move forward with a recall of 240,000 vehicles.