Kia Motors blazed a trail on the American automotive market almost from the day it launched, manufacturing a family-friendly lineup of cars that delivered impressive fuel economy and a little dash of style. Flash forward to today, and the Kia brand has evolved into a serious player in multiple categories, with a Kia dealership practically on every corner. Led by the popular 2021 Kia Sportage, the current lineup of Kia vehicles continues this trend, winning buyers across the price and category spectrum.
Sitting front-and-center, the Sportage competes in the popular compact crossover SUV category, selling upwards of 80,000 units every year. The trend shows no signs of stopping, especially in 2021, with the addition of several exciting special edition packages, including the Nightfall and Nightfall Premium Editions.
Another great feature of Kia cars is the impressive list of standard features, even on the base models. Kia believes in delivering not only affordable vehicles but comfort, convenience, and even a little luxury with every single vehicle that leaves the showroom floor. It’s this commitment to a well-balanced product line that never loses sight of affordability that is earning Kia more-and-more devoted customers.
If you haven’t discovered the Kia line of cars and SUVs, the time is now. We’ll take a closer look here at Kia’s lineup of cars, its history, and the class-leading 2021 Kia Sportage.
Kia History
Kia Motor Company is a Korean automobile manufacturer that opened its doors in 1944 as a bicycle maker, eventually graduating to building motorcycles in the mid-1950s. In 1972, the company began building trucks for Mazda, which led to the construction of a dedicated assembly plant in 1973. Over the next 20 years, Kia participated in several manufacturing partnerships with both Ford and Mazda.
In 1992, Kia Motors America was born, and the first-ever Kia dealerships opened in Portland, Oregon. Kia’s growth strategy involved a slow, methodical region-by-region expansion. The popular Sportage was only the second Kia vehicle launched in the United States, after the Sephia. By 1995, over one hundred Kia dealers were operating.
Today, Kia is partially owned by Hyundai Motor Company and, after continual sales success for 15 years straight, the company built a $1 billion manufacturing plant in Georgia. There are over 750 active Kia dealerships across the country, and while the Sephia is no longer in production, the Sportage remains one of the most popular nameplates in Kia’s lineup.
The Kia Lineup
Kia Motors currently manufactures 17 different vehicles for the United States market, six of which are in the popular SUV category. Starting with the budget-priced Kia Soul, which starts at just $17,590, up to the luxurious full-size Telluride, with an MSRP of $32,190, Kia dominates in many SUV and crossover categories.
The company is no stranger to the burgeoning hybrid/EV market, offering its Niro SUV in a standard gas-powered model, a plug-in hybrid, and an all-electric powertrain. The latter delivers an impressive 239-mile range and fast-charging options to keep drivers charged efficiently. Between the vehicle’s capabilities and its impressive tech – like an available 10.25-inch touchscreen – it’s obvious that Kia is focusing on alternative technology and emerging EV categories.
Kia’s most affordable model is the compact 5-door Rio hatchback. At a starting price of just $16,050, the little Rio marries style with practicality and reminds price-conscious buyers that there are new vehicle options even at lower price points. It’s this balanced line of products – from ultra budget-friendly to alternative-powered, to even a downright luxurious full-size SUV (the Telluride) that sets Kia apart from its competition.
Kia doesn’t just stop at budget-oriented cars and SUVs – the company recently launched the exciting Stinger sports sedan, a performance-oriented car that delivers impressive speed, traveling from zero-to-sixty in just 4.7 seconds. That’s thanks to a powerful 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that delivers 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. This is not a value car; it’s an aerodynamic thrill-ride that earns style points and plenty of street credibility.
The 2021 Kia Sportage
The 2021 Kia Sportage is the just-right-sized small SUV offering from Kia. This stylish and nimble crossover delivers impressive performance, with a max available 240 horsepower via a very spirited 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. There’s also the option to add all-wheel drive, turning the Sportage into an inclement weather MVP. On the inside, automotive journalists have compared it to a luxury import. Car and Driver states that the Sportage’s cabin “is well executed and filled with a pleasing mix of quality materials and nifty, functional features.”
Available in four different trims, the Sportage can be as luxurious and well-equipped as your budget allows. Starting at $24,090 for the base LX model, the Sportage is designed to appeal to budget-minded buyers at the entry price range. Don’t let the term ‘base model’ fool you, though: the LX offers tons of standard features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and several driver-assist safety systems that are optional on many of the Sportage’s competitors.
Next up, the Sportage S is $26,590 and adds even more driver-assist technology, along with special upgraded synthetic leather trim, fog lamps and the option of adding the Nightfall Edition or Nightfall Premium Edition exterior appearance packages. The EX, starting at $27,390, adds a power liftgate, push-button start, power seats, and dual-zone climate control.
The top-of-the-line Sportage SX Turbo pushes the price to $33,750, but you’ll get a lot for your money, starting with a standard 2.00-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, larger 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights and fog lamps, upgraded leather seats, and a truly amazing Harman Kardon premium audio system with a surround sound capability that turns the cabin into a concert hall.
Whichever trim you choose, what’s evident across the model range is Kia’s commitment to quality and value. All Kia vehicles are protected by one of the best warranties in the industry: a 10-year/100,000-mile protection program that covers the powertrain and a 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty. The Sportage is also recognized as one of the safest vehicles in its class as it was named a 2020 IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) Top Safety Pick.
For years, Kia has quietly established itself as a competitive and viable alternative in some of the most competitive segments, like the compact SUV category and within the emerging alternative-powered car and crossover category. The company has earned the coveted #1 Brand in Initial Quality award from J.D. Power for six years in a row and now has sold nearly 8,000,000 vehicles in the United States.
With all this talk about safety and value, it’s easy to let style slide, but luckily Kia scores style points too. In fact, the company prides itself on constantly evolving its core line of vehicles and peppering the lineup with exciting new products, most recently completely redesigning the Soul and launching the alternative fuel-powered Nitro.
If you’re considering a new car or SUV, consider the dynamic Kia lineup. The diverse range of vehicles, combined with the Kia’s expansive warranty coverage and commitment to quality, makes buying a Kia a smart move. Add dynamic styling and even a little peppy performance, and it’s hard to understand why you wouldn’t choose a Kia.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.
*Based on Sales from January 2022 to January 2023.