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Learn Everything About Kia Cars, Models, Recalls And More

Published On -
December 5, 2022

Founded in 1944, the South Korean Automobile giant – the KIA Motors Corporation has walked a long way to mark its name worldwide. From rebadging other brands’ cars to offering their own versatile lineups was not an easy journey for the KIA Corporation, popularly known as KIA. If compared to the earlier days, you won’t find much similarity with today’s KIA. Now, if we look for a performance oriented car with sharp design, high-tech innovative features, comfortable ride yet light on pocket, KIA is one such brand we should look into.

Check Kia cars at your local kia dealership

Why should you buy a KIA?

Since 1992, KIA has been selling their VFM cars in America 7 today is renowned for being reliable & providing all bells & whistles in their car. Earlier, they used to offer a 10 years/100,000 miles warranty which nowadays is shortened to a 5 years/60,000 miles & still better than most brands out there. However, that 10 years/100,000 warranty is now offered on the powertrain. But the limited basic warranty is not everything when we look for a car. There are several other factors too that can be taken into consideration to invest your hard-earned money in a KIA.

1. Affordability

Not only the Japanese counterparts, this South Korean automaker is also very hard to beat when it comes to affordability. Be it the price or the servicing, KIA’s offering is cheaper to its customers compared to the market. A brand new KIA Rio is available for $16,550 MSRP where most compact sedans in the market start from $20,000.

2. Reliability

KIA vehicles are widely known for their reliability. Whether it’s the powertrain or the electronics, it’s reliable and safe to use, at least the models after 2010 offer so. You’ll find many owners out on the road who are driving their KIAs for more than 10 years with little to no problems. However, it’s a machine after all. Whether bought new or used, you’re strictly advised to service your KIA from time to time.

3. Innovative Features

When talking about high-tech specs, we can’t ignore KIA at all. Just like her parent automaker Hyundai, KIA is such a brand that provides almost all the bells and whistles available in the market at an affordable price. Even the models sold 6-7 years ago, used to come with the latest safety & other not so common features at that time. These little things not only make you stand out of the pact, but smoothen your overall experience also.

If you are planning to Buy New Kia in 2023 then check it – 2023 Kia Sportage Evolved With New Design & Look

4. Sophisticated Design

A very fancy looking car with lots of fluidic design elements feels good for some days or if stretched a bit far, then for a few initial months. But when you’re going to keep the same thing for years, the same pleasure turns into pain for our eyes. Just like its European counterparts like Volkswagen, KIA cars come with a very sharp yet sophisticated design language that never feels boring even after a decade. Any day she looks like a timeless beauty with the futuristic gems hidden inside.

5. An Unbeatable Warranty

Think honestly, how many automobile brands you’ve come across, offer a 5 years/60,000 miles basic warranty along with 10 years/100,000 miles powertrain warranty (whichever comes earlier) on the new models & a 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain warranty for the used KIAs. Although the bumper to bumper warranty is not transferable, the warranty being offered by KIA U.S.A is something that most of us can only dream of, especially then, when almost all other automakers offer a basic limited warranty of 3 years/36,000 miles.

6. Safety

When it comes to safety, all KIA models available in the U.S.A are preinstalled with latest safety features such adaptive cruise control, multiple airbags, hill-start assist, rollover sensors for SUVs and crossovers, traction system, active front head restraints, and stability control and many more. Almost all KIAs are certified overall 5 stars safety ratings by NHTSA, especially those after 2011.

7. Resale Value

The modern KIAs hold good resale value among us thanks to its top notch reliability and affordability. Some of the earlier KIAs like those in 2000s might have had some issues which resulted in poor value retention, but the KIAs after 2007 are complete changeovers. Very few of the millions of KIAs sold come up with small issues that eventually upgraded its resale value in the respective market.

Most Preferred Models of KIA in the U.S.A

**2022 sales data is available till the month of October

KIA Forte

Type: Sedan
Total Sales: 2021 – 115,929 2022 – 79,885
Powertrain: 2.0L inline 4 cylinder combined with 6-speed MT producing 147 HP & turbocharged 1.6L inline 4 cylinder combined with CVT producing 201 HP. The 2023 edition comes with the 2.0L inline 4 cylinder combined with IVT.
Drivetrain: FWD
MPG: 30/40/34
MSRP: $19,490 – $24,890
Ownership Cost: For 5 years, the 2022 Forte costs more or less $41,800 to own incl. tax, maintenance & repairs.
Resale Value: Average depreciation rate is 21% after 5 years.
Safety Rating: 5 stars combined. Check NHTSA for more information.
Recalls: 2011 (2), 2013 (4), 2017 (3), 2019 (2), 2022 (1). Check NHTSA for more information.

KIA Sportage

Type: Crossover SUV
Total Sales: 2021 – 94,601 2022 – 100,615
Powertrain: 2.5L Inline 4 cylinder combined with 8-speed AT producing 187 HP & 178 lb-ft torque.
Drivetrain: FWD & AWD with central locking differential.
MPG: 25/32/28 (FWD) & 23/30/26 (AWD)
MSRP: $25,990 – $36,790
Ownership Cost: For 5 years, the 2022 Sportage costs more or less $50,310 to own incl. tax, maintenance & repairs.
Resale Value: Average depreciation rate is 29% after 5 years.
Safety Rating: 5 stars combined. Check NHTSA for more information.
Recalls: 2011 (5), 2014 (3), 2008 (3), 2018 (3), 2019 & 2021 (2). Check NHTSA for more information.

KIA Telluride

Type: Mid-size crossover SUV
Total Sales: 2021 – 93,705 2022 – 80,148
Powertrain: 3.8L V6 with 8-speed AT producing 291 HP and 262 lb-ft of torque.
Drivetrain: AWD with AWD differential lock & snow mode for optimal traction.
MPG: 18/24/21 (AWD) & 20/26/23 (FWD)
MSRP: $35,690 – $52,785
Ownership Cost: For 5 years, the 2022 Telluride costs more or less $76,198 for the top model to own incl. tax, maintenance & repairs.
Resale Value: Average depreciation rate is about 32%.
Safety Rating: 5 stars combined. Check NHTSA for more information.
Recalls: 2022 (4), 2021 (2), 2020 (3). Check NHTSA for more information.

Planning to Buy Kia Cars in 2022? then Check it 2022 KIA EV6 Crossover On E-GMP Platform

KIA K5/Optima

Type: Mid-size four-door sedan
Total Sales: 2021 – 92,342 2022 – 58,438
Powertrain: 1.6L 4 cylinder with 8-speed AT producing 180 HP & 192 lb-ft of torque for standard variants & turbocharged 2.5L 4 cylinder with 8-speed AT producing 290 HP & 311 lb-ft torque for the GT edition.
Drivetrain: FWD & AWD with multiple driving modes.
MPG: 27/37/31 (standard) & 24/32/27 (GT)
MSRP: $25,090 to $31,490
Ownership Cost: For 5 years, the 2022 Optima/K5 GT costs more or less $56,182 to own incl. tax, maintenance & repairs.
Resale Value: Average depreciation rate is about 18%.
Safety Rating: 5 stars combined. Check NHTSA for more information.
Recalls: 2011 (4), 2013 (8), 2016 (4), 2018 (3), 2019 (1). Check NHTSA for more information.

KIA Sorento

Type: Mid-size crossover SUV
Total Sales: 2021 – 81,785 2022 – 72,661
Powertrain: 2.5 L 4 cylinder with 8-speed AT producing 191 HP & 181 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm; available in hybrid.
Drivetrain: FWD & torque-vectoring AWD w/ Center-Locking Differential
MPG: 24/29/26 (FWD) & 23/25/24 (AWD)
MSRP: $29,990 to $43,590
Ownership Cost: For 5 years, the 2022 Sorento costs more or less $60,500 to own incl. tax, maintenance & repairs.
Resale Value: Average depreciation rate is about 35%.
Safety Rating: 5 stars combined. Check NHTSA for more information.
Recalls: 2011 (6), 2014 (5), 2016 (8), 2018 (3), 2019 (1), 2022 (4). Check NHTSA for more information.

Upcoming Models in the U.S.A

KIA SELTOS

According to the KIA U.S.A, Seltos will be launched in the market by 2024. The price is unknown yet. However, the 2024 Seltos will be available with dual panoramic display, torque-vectoring AWD combined with a 2.0L & a 1.6L turbocharged engine delivering 195 HP & 195 lb-ft of torque, 18 inch alloy wheels, smart cruise control w/ stop & go, Bose sound system and many more. Check out their website for more information.

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