For buyers looking to get into a new Kia, lease deals may be a more attractive option than buying outright. Leasing is perfect for drivers who are inclined to trade in the car every few years in order to stay in a newer vehicle, or those who don’t drive many miles in a given year. Opting for a lease requires signing an agreement for a specified time period – usually 24 to 48 months – with certain conditions attached. One of the main benefits of going with a lease is that with a lease, the monthly payments will be far lower. This is due to not actually owning the vehicle and therefore not paying the full purchase price – you’re just paying to use it during the time you have it.
When leasing a new Kia, the first month’s payment, taxes, and fees are your responsibility when the paperwork is signed. If you decide to lease another vehicle after your current lease term is up, you’ll need to pay those fees again. But if you find you want to keep the vehicle you’ve been leasing, you can negotiate a purchase once the lease period is up.
Now that we’ve got the basics of car leasing out of the way, let’s look at the details of how Kia lease deals work and which of their vehicles may be right for this kind of approach.
Kia’s Leasing Details
As noted above, leasing a new Kia can offer significant advantages over purchasing outright, if you are willing to work within a few constraints.
Since you’re only paying for the portion of the vehicle you are using over the course of the lease term, a lower down payment or even no down payment at all is possible.
The lease agreement will determine how many miles the vehicle can be driven in a single year, so this is something you should plan for accordingly before signing the contract. A typical range is between 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year, although you can buy additional miles up front if you think you might need them. Be aware that going over the annual mileage limit could result in additional charges being incurred.
Many Kia drivers like to customize and personalize their vehicle to make it their own, but with a lease, you can only do this once the lease term begins and only with approved accessories.
No matter what you decide at the end of the lease term, you’ll receive an overview with all the information and resources you need including the steps required to keep the vehicle you have now or to move on to another lease, a to-do list for turning in your vehicle and an assessment tool to help determine potential excess use, which may result in additional fees. Four months before your lease is up, Kia will send out a Lease-End Kit with all of these details.
The Vehicles
All of Kia’s cars, SUVs, crossovers, hybrids, and minivans are available through a lease option. Below are some offerings available to those looking to lease a new Kia.
Forte: One of Kia’s compact offerings, the Forte is fully equipped with a roster of standard and optional features, some of which are found on more expensive vehicles. In order to appeal to a broad base of drivers, the Forte is available as a sedan, hatchback or coupe.
The Forte features stylish design on the outside and the latest in information and technology options on the inside, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A full suite of innovative features also come standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist. Under the hood, the Forte is powered by a 2.0 L engine which works to provide both more power and improved fuel economy.
Optima: This is a midsize sedan and that has consistently grown and developed since it was first introduced and continues to appeal to buyers as well as challenging the competition.
The Optima impresses with a comprehensive set of features, a stylish interior and an exterior design that is sure to turn heads. This puts it on par with consumers looking to dip their toe into an entry-level luxury vehicle without paying the full-blown luxury price.
A variety of trim levels are available, with as many as five different engine options to choose from.
The Optima is also available as a hybrid option, with a plug-in variant being offered in some geographic areas. This version offers all of the great features and reliability of the regular Optima but in an eco-friendly package.
Sedona: Kia’s trusted family-hauling minivan option is still holding its own in a world of crossover SUVs, sticking with generally the same format it’s become known for since it was unveiled to drivers in the mid-2000s.
The Sedona provides all the options you’d expect in a minivan, including smartphone connectivity which is especially beneficial if you have teenagers. It’s available in five different trim levels, all of which are powered by a 3.3L V6 engine.
Stinger: Drivers looking for higher performance in a sporty package might want to consider the Stinger, available in both rear and all-wheel drive configurations. It’s Kia’s second sedan to be equipped with rear-wheel drive along with the K900 (see below), but the Stinger is more focused on performance and driver experience.
With that focus in mind, the Stinger features two engine choices, a 2.0L four-cylinder turbo with 255 horsepower and a beefy 3.3L twin-turbo V6 which delivers 365 horsepower. Both options are paired with a suite of additional performance features including stability damping control, five drive modes, performance brakes, a limited-slip differential for rear-drive cars, and electronic torque vectoring for all-wheel drive models.
Sportage: This is one of Kia’s longest-running models, having launched way back when the brand itself did. With seating for five, the Sportage is capable contender within the crossover SUV segment.
The exterior of the Sportage gives it a more aggressive appearance, a tone backed up by a 2.4L engine with an available 2.0 L turbocharged option. And like all Kia models, it comes with a bevy of infotainment and safety features, all packaged within a well-built and user-friendly vehicle that will perform well both on the road and off.
K900: If you’re looking to lease in complete luxury, the K900 is Kia’s first entry in the full-size luxury sedan market, and comes with a long list of standard and optional features that you would come to expect from a car in this class. That said, Kia’s top model still retains the brand’s reputation for value.
The Bottom Line
When it’s time to consider a new Kia, try running the numbers to see if a lease would work better than buying. The ultimate decision is going to come down to your budget, driving style, and other factors, but if you find that you are a driver for whom leasing works out to be the ideal option, you can be assured you will be getting the best vehicle possible at a more affordable price.
