Kia Dealers in Houston

Kia's Incredible Past

What would become Korean International Automotive started in December 1944, at what was then called Kyungsung Precision Industry. By 1951 the company had begun production of Korea’s first domestically produced bicycle, the 3000 Li-ho. The next year Kyungsung Precision Industry became Kia.

The company grew over time, taking on more complex and challenging industrial challenges. After bicycles came license-produced motorcycles, and finally trucks in the early ’60s and automotive production beginning in the mid-’70s. Kia continued building and expanding, building up alongside the rest of Asia’s economy. They began introducing new licensed car lines, providing Koreans with more mobility than they ever had before.

Things were booming, but as the ’70s became the '80s, Kia would face its first significant challenge. South Korea underwent a military coup on December 12, 1979, and the new Korean leader Chun Doo-hwan decided to focus his attention on industry. In 1981, he ordered that Kia stop building passenger cars and focus on trucks, abruptly throwing the company off course. For several years Kia subsisted on light truck production, but it outlasted the reign of Doo-hwan. It was only when he began to lose power that Kia was able to restart automotive production at all. In 1986 they began building cars again, but only 26 rolled off the line. But being Kia, they buckled down, and in 1987, 95,000 cars left Kia factories to be sold.

Pretty much immediately after Korea’s pro-democracy movements succeeded, Kia began making international moves. Partnering with Ford, Kia would produce cars for export. The company then committed to entering into the American market in 1992, starting with four dealerships in Portland. The first Kia branded vehicles attracted sales due to their low cost and reliability, and by 1995, Kias were sold in 30 American states. It appeared that these boom times would last forever, and Kia remained incredibly successful in its aggressive expansion plans.

Until suddenly, the bottom fell out of Asian markets as the Asian Financial Crisis struck in the late ’90s. Kia was left out in the cold with far too much invested in expansion and not enough savings to stay afloat. Hyundai came in to buy up the suddenly bankrupt automaker, brushing off attempts by Ford to buy Kia. With Hyundai’s help, Kia was lifted back into a position to challenge the international automotive market, though few would see it coming.

Kia was still in the American market, but it needed something to set it apart besides being cheap. Thus the company began pouring research and development into quality and manufacturing. The grand plan was quite simply to build a better all-around car than their competitors at a lower price. And to showcase this superior quality, they would use unheard-of warranties to showcase how capable their engineering had become. Simply put, it worked. The little known South Korean manufacturer is now one of the most well-respected mainstream auto companies in the American market. It now has a complete company branch in the US, including a factory in West Point, Georgia.

Modern Kia Awards and Sales

In 2019 alone, Americans bought 614,613 Kias. A single month of worldwide sales for the brand far surpasses the numbers of cars they produced after being set free in the late ’80s. They have been recognized by several third party organizations with prestigious awards, as well.

The Kia Stinger and Kia Telluride have been especially well recognized. The Stinger has received the J.D. Power Engineering Award for Highest Rated All-New Vehicle, as well as the Business Insider Car of the Year Award. The Telluride has an even larger number of accolades from such outlets as Kelley Blue Book, MotorTrend, Edmunds, and many others for impressive reliability and engineering. Kia continues to impress with a 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic and 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranties that remain benchmarks in the industry that are challenging to match.

Overall, Kia’s persistence has paid off. Whether that persistence lay in their fight to produce cars in the first place, the persistence to keep going even when things didn’t go to plan, or the persistence to not just match other automakers in quality, but to dramatically outdo them.

New Kia Models

Buying a new Kia is an opportunity to explore a wealth of fresh driving opportunities that are available in a way that only Kia can provide. The company has managed to chisel out its identity with sporty, engaging, visually appealing vehicles that draw the attention of many drivers looking for something fun and fresh to take onto the road. At Parkway Family Kia, we have a great selection of brand new Kia models. This means you have access to the latest model year iterations from the popular company, whether that be subcompacts, crossovers, hybrids, or electric vehicles. Kia has been keen on updating its slate of models to include the latest in technology, safety, and breakthrough features that help set them apart from the competition. Regardless of which model you go with, you're guaranteed an experience very much unlike anything else on the market.

This is one of the benefits of owning a brand new Kia, given that the unique personality and traits of the vehicles shine through when buyers purchase a nameplate that reflects the qualities of their own lifestyle. The company has also been at the forefront of keeping its finger on the pulse of what specific segments of the market are looking for out of something fun and affordable to drive. Instead of simply following trends behind other companies, Kia's new model years often include features and updates that coincide with popular requests and desires from their target demographic, whether that be new infotainment features, alternative fuel options, or roomier interiors.

When you buy a new Kia, you're buying into the latest innovations that the company has to offer. This universally includes putting the customers’ desires ahead of everything else, all while still respecting the budgets of potential shoppers looking to buy from Kia dealers in Houston like Parkway Family Kia.

2022 Kia Carnival

Formerly known as the Kia Sedona, the Kia Carnival is a reinvention of Kia's iconic minivan updated for today's generation of consumers. The fourth generation overhaul completely alters the design into more of a crossover utility vehicle rather than sticking to its traditional minivan roots. Kia has aptly categorized the 2022 Kia Carnival as a multi-purpose vehicle or an MPV.

The new name, logo, and design fit into Kia's ethos of reinvigorating nameplates to match the enthusiasm of their customer base, and the Carnival is a perfect example of that. The complete changeover of the Sedona's appearance into the Carnival includes an entirely different chassis on a longer wheelbase, larger wheels, a more rectangular body shape, a squared away fascia with Kia's iconic “tiger nose” grille, and more angular accentuation of the vehicle's pillars. This gives the Carnival a more aggressive and mature look compared to its more traditional minivan counterpart.

The visual stylings of the Carnival aren't the only major change. After switching to an all new platform, the engineers outfitted this multi-purpose vehicle with a brand new powertrain as well, delivering more power, better performance, and a more dynamic driving experience. The 2022 Kia Carnival is powered by a 3.5-liter V6, with an impressive output of 290 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The added power has enabled the Carnival to achieve a tow rating of up to 3,500 pounds.

The exterior and performance are just one small part of what the 2022 marque has to offer. Inside, Kia has reconfigured the vehicle so that it offers exemplary passenger and cargo volume, as well the all-new Slide-Flex second-row seating for greater customization and configuration options1. The Carnival can also seat up to 8 people, making it a choice selection for those who want a fully functional full-size vehicle. With Kia's Advanced Driver Assistance System, known as ADAS, the Carnival comes equipped with 12 standard active and passive driver assist technologies, so you're always in safe hands. This is in addition to standard infotainment technology featuring up to 9 USB ports, as well as wireless Bluetooth support and UVO telematics integration, along with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity.

2022 Kia Seltos

The 2022 model year of the Kia Seltos brings a number of fresh new ideas and technology to the table, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with built-in UVO link connectivity. It's a great way to lure shoppers into considering the Seltos as a new SUV option, especially with the model year, including the all-new Nightfall Edition all-wheel drive trim, which comes with a black accessorized exterior and matching 18-inch black alloy wheels.

The Nightfall Edition joins four other trims, including the LX, S, EX, and SX. Majority of the trims also come equipped with lots of active safety assists, from high beam assistance to forward collision avoidance. The 2022 Kia Seltos comes with two powertrain options in the form of a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and a turbocharged 1.6-liter. Where the Carnival delivers lots of interior volume and passenger space, the Seltos is an SUV that focuses on utility and fuel economy, topping out at 29 miles per gallon in the city and up to 35 miles per gallon on the highway with the 2.0-liter engine.

In the highly competitive SUV market, the Seltos sets itself apart by mixing together a stylish exterior with a lot of functional interior components. For those who enjoy the utility of an SUV but also want something without any of the unnecessary garnishings that come with some nameplates, the Seltos fits the bill perfectly. The Seltos is also an excellent option for those who want an SUV that has front or all-wheel drive configurations designed to conveniently get you from one destination to the next with an excellent suite of tech. From the cabin infotainment options, standard safety technology, and the ability to carry up to 5 people, the Seltos is a great economic consideration for those who want something cool and affordable.

2022 Kia K5

When sportiness and convenience are at the top of your shopping list for a new vehicle, the 2022 Kia K5 is the perfect embodiment of what you desire. An amazing-looking exterior highlighted by sleek, arching lines and a very bold front fascia with aggressive detailing helps set the K5 apart from other sedans on the market, making it an easy pick for those visiting Kia dealers in Houston. The addition of sporty wheels and clean pillars help add a sense of luxury to the K5's personality.

Two different powertrains are available across five different trims, which include the LX, LXS, GT-Line EX, and GT. A 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with a continuously variable valve duration to help with fuel economy comes standard on most trims, while a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder is paired to the GT trim. Various trims also offer optional all-wheel drive options for those who want better stability and traction control while driving.

Many new features have helped redefine the value of the 2022 Kia K5 on the market, including lots of standard inclusions of much-requested technology, such as standard integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The addition of a 10.25-inch HD touchscreen with app functionality, vehicle health reports, and media options helps give the GT-Line, EX, and GT trims some extra oomph to their value.

An all-new 10-watt drop-in wireless charger has also been made standard for the GT-Line, along with some new highway driving and navigation-based driving assists. All of the trims have also received a brand new Kia badge to match the nameplate's second model year outing after originally debuting in 2021 to replace the Kia Optima.

New, Used, or CPO Kia?

While just about every Kia is worth consideration when it comes to buying a car, knowing exactly how to get the best deal and best transaction experience for yourself is important. Buying new, used, or Certified Pre-Owned are more different than one may think, and each is best suited to a different type of car buyer.

Those who buy new, value the achievement of getting a new car and the extreme piece of mind that comes from such an extensive warranty. While buying a new Kia does not grant additional savings compared to any other type of transaction with Kia, Kia is typically more affordable than the competition and will almost certainly have lower running and maintenance costs as well.

Used Kias offer substantial discounts over new cars, and because of Kia’s general reliability and popularity, buyers of used Kias can be sure that their car will always get them home. That said, the older any vehicle is, the more maintenance it will need to keep it running smoothly. For those looking for the absolute lowest prices, this is fine, but for those looking for something of a middle ground and extra peace of mind, Certified Pre-Owned is the way to go.

A Certified Pre-Owned Kia, in effect, is just a less expensive and older Kia with the same powertrain warranty brand new Kias have from the factory. On top of this, all Kia Certified cars have 12-months or 12,000-miles of Platinum Comprehensive coverage, Roadside Assistance, and Travel Breakdown coverage.

Parkway Family Kia

At Parkway Family Kia, we can make your experience of buying a Kia just as good as the experience of driving one. Here we have good deals and great service worthy of the Kia name. We are located north of Houston on Interstate 69, just past the airport and across the Bevil Jarrell Memorial Bridge.

We are quite easy to get to from any point in the greater Houston area, and the most direct route from central Houston is by going straight north on Interstate 69, past Northside Village and Mount Houston. Keep going past the airport and over the river, and you will find us, ready and waiting to show you our expansive inventory of both new and used Kia automobiles.

Come visit us in person or check out our inventory online!