When it comes to producing high-quality automobiles for millions of enthusiastic fans, few manufacturers come close to Kia. Ever since its foundation over 75 years ago, Kia has continuously sat at the forefront of innovation and today produces a variety of sedans, SUVs, hybrids, and more. By visiting your local Kia dealership, you will have no shortage of choices and will easily find a vehicle that suits you best. You may be wondering, however, with this wide selection, what car models does Kia make? Kia currently produces six different sedans, each of which is built with that distinctive Kia quality.
This selection of sedans has a wide price range when the entry-level model is compared to the highest-end. Regardless of the price range, Kia sedans offer plenty of versatility coupled with reliability. The selection of sedans begins with the Rio serving as the entry-level sedan amongst Kia’s lineup. This is promptly followed by the Forte, K5, Stinger, Cadenza, and K900. Although performance will vary between the entry-level Rio up through the highest-end K900, each sedan is an impressive showing.
Kia Rio
The Kia Rio has a lot to offer despite its low price tag. Starting at an MSRP of $15,850, the Kia Rio comes in two available trims. Even with the Rio being an entry-level sedan in Kia’s lineup, it still comes standard with a robust infotainment center that features the likes of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is no small feat, and many vehicles with higher prices often omit these features. A rearview camera comes standard, as well as an array of USB ports for connecting your wireless devices.
Things get even more interesting when we look into what’s powering the Rio. Although the 1.6L I-4 isn’t exactly a powerhouse with its 120 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque paired with an intelligently variable transmission, it’s fuel-efficiency ratings surely make up for it. With this engine, the Kia Rio gets EPA-estimated ratings of 33 mpg city and 41 highway. Those looking for their first step into the world of Kia automobiles should look no further.
Kia Forte
Forte builds upon Rio in a few notable ways. Critics have noted the longer length of the Forte, thus granting users more cargo space than the Rio. The Kia Forte is available in six trims with the base FE model starting at $17,890. The next five trims are LXS, GT-Line, EX, GT, and GT Manual. Even the base trim gets an 8-inch touchscreen built into its infotainment center, which is larger than the Rio’s 7-inch display.
The Forte comes standard with a 2.0L 4-Cyl engine producing 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. This is a 23% increase to horsepower and a 18% increase to torque output compared to Rio’s engine. The Forte allows this engine to be paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or an intelligent variable transmission. Depending on the transmission your Forte is paired with, fuel-efficiency ratings will differ; the 6-speed manual transmission is rated at 27 mpg city and 37 highway while the IVT variant gets up to 31 mpg city and 41 highway.
2021 Kia K5
Think of the Kia K5 as the spiritual successor to the outgoing Kia Optima. The 2021 K5 offers an immense leap over the Forte and Rio, while also being the evolutionary next step for the Optima. The K5 comes in five available trims beginning with LX, which starts at $23,490. The following trims for the K5 are the LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT. The K5 comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen and includes the same array of infotainment features seen on the previous trims.
The base engine found in the 2021 K5 is a turbocharged 1.6L 4-Cyl that produces 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard with this engine, and it gets ample EPA-estimated ratings of up to 29 mpg city and 38 highway. Those looking for extra power should opt for the turbocharged 2.5L 4-Cyl on the GT trim, which can produce 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. That is approximately 61% more horsepower than the base engine and 59% greater torque output.
Kia Stinger
Kia Stinger comes in four available trims. The base GT-Line starts at $33,090 and is followed by the GT, GT1, and GT2 trims. The Kia Stinger is a powerful liftback sedan that can accelerate from 0-60 mph in a mere 4.7 seconds thanks to an available twin-turbo V6 engine that provides some impressive results. A 7-inch touchscreen comes standard with an available 8-inch screen as an upgrade, and a wireless charging pad comes standard.
The engine you’ll find standard with the Stinger is a turbocharged 2.0L 4-Cyl paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Equipping your Stinger with this engine will net 255 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, but the aforementioned V6 is highly recommended for the utmost performance. This twin-turbocharged 3.3L V6 produces 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque, which is 43% and 45% more horsepower and torque output than the previous engine, respectively. Further, the Stinger is available in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, giving you the option of increased traction for superior performance in bad conditions. This all equates to a sedan with a lot to offer and is certainly a recommendation.
Kia Cadenza
Cadenza is a powerful and luxurious sedan. Two available trims make up the Cadenza lineup, with the Technology serving as the base trim at $37,850. The higher-end trim, known as Limited, gives the Cadenza numerous upgrades for improved comfort. With a panoramic sunroof and available leather seat trim, along with heated and ventilated seats, the Cadenza offers a multitude of ways to customize your experience.
Kia even offers an available Harman Kardon audio system that fills your cabin with 12 high-quality speakers, completely transforming your favorite music. Unlike the previous models, the Cadenza comes standard with a massive 12.3-inch touch screen. This wider viewpoint gives you greater visibility for your standard on-board navigation system as well as the system’s many other features
Kia K900
The Kia K900 is the ultimate sedan. Those looking for Kia’s most luxurious offering will be enamored with the K900’s looks, performance, and feature set. There are no additional trims for the K900 as the sole trim, aptly named the Luxury, gets the job done and then some. The K900 starts at an MSRP of $59,900 and includes a host of notable and top-end features. Among these included features, the K900 comes standard with a surround-view monitor, a head-up display, a premium audio system provided by Lexicon, and much more.
The drivetrain powering the K900 is a twin-turbocharged 3.3L V6 engine that produces 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque and is paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The interior of the K900 is nothing short of astonishing. With an immensely comfortable 20-way power-adjustable driver’s seat that is both heated and ventilated, you’ll never want to leave your seat. A 12.3-inch screen comes standard with the K900, and your second-row passengers can even be treated to 14-way power-adjustable seats and more. The K900 offers an immersive driving experience with features such as interior mood lighting with a selectable pallet of 64 colors.
A Robust Selection
These six sedans are products of generations of research and development, and it’s apparent everywhere you look. Kia sedans will not disappoint whether you are looking for an accessible entry-level vehicle, a powerful sports sedan, or the ultimate in luxury. Kia has earned a name for itself by providing its customers with the dependable and high-quality automobiles that they need. If you’re looking to get invested into the world of Kia sedans or from any Kia lineup, visiting your local Kia dealership is the best way to get started. There’s a lot to enjoy with the current lineup of Kia sedans and what we’ve seen makes us excited for the future of automobiles as a whole.
