Who is Kia?
Kia is a South Korean carmaker and part of Hyundai Motor Group. Its roots go back to a manufacturing business founded in Korea in 1944. The company later made bicycles before moving into cars. Today, its range includes small cars, family SUVs, people carriers and electric models. In Europe, the Sportage, Ceed and Picanto have been among its most registered models.
What are Kia’s main model lines?
The Sportage is a family SUV, while the larger Sorento sits higher in the range. The Ceed family includes hatchback and estate body styles, and the XCeed has a crossover shape. The Picanto is a small city car; the Rio has also served as a small hatchback. The Niro is a crossover, joined by compact SUV models such as the Stonic and Seltos.
Kia’s range has also included larger saloons and people carriers, including the Optima, Cadenza, Sedona and Carnival. Model names and body styles have varied between markets.
How has Kia’s range changed over time?
Kia’s model history includes the Sephia from 1993 and the Sportage from 1995. The Rio and Sorento followed in the early 2000s, then the Picanto and Ceed. Later additions included the Niro, Stonic and XCeed, broadening the range of crossover and SUV-shaped models.
The Sportage and Sorento are among Kia’s longest-running nameplates. The range has grown from hatchbacks and saloons to include a wider selection of crossovers and SUVs.
How has Kia approached electrification?
Kia’s electric range includes the EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6 and EV9, as well as the electric PV5 van. The Niro nameplate has also been part of the range since 2016.
The EV6 introduced a design direction Kia calls “Opposites United”. Its styling includes the “Digital Tiger Face”, a reinterpretation of the brand’s tiger-nose front.
Where are Kia cars sold and measured?
Kia cars are sold in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. Official fuel consumption and emissions results depend on the test procedure: Europe and the UK use WLTP or, for older cars, NEDC; the United States uses EPA ratings; Canada uses the 5-cycle test. Results are best understood within their own market.
Questions and answers
Where is Kia from?
Kia is a South Korean carmaker and part of Hyundai Motor Group.
Which Kia models have the longest histories?
The Sportage dates back to 1995, the Rio to 2001 and the Sorento to 2003.
Does Kia make electric cars?
Yes. Its electric models include the EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6 and EV9. The PV5 is an electric van.
Why do Kia’s official efficiency figures differ by country?
Markets use different test procedures: Europe and the UK use WLTP or older NEDC results, the United States uses EPA ratings, and Canada uses the 5-cycle test.