Kia makes great SUVs that can meet the various needs of drivers. If you are looking for a reliable, practical, and high-performance SUV, then you should look at the following breakdown of each SUV that Kia has to offer.
Key Takeaways
- The Kia Soul is the cheapest SUV crossover with a MSRP of about $25,000
- The Kia Seltos, Sportage, and Sorento are great SUVs for individuals or smaller families
- The hybrids of the Seltos, Sportage, and Sorento offer great value for their given MSRPs
- The Carnival MPV and Telluride are better for bigger families or those who tow a lot
Kia Soul
The Kia Soul comes with a sleek, rounded exterior that gives off a modern vibe. The interior is plenty spacious for the driver and passengers even though it is a subcompact SUV crossover. You also get heated seats, heated steering wheel, push-button ignition, heads up display, and wireless phone charger. As for the tech, all models (expect the base trim) come with a 10.3-inch touchscreen that comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, in-dash navigation, and more.
The engine is a 2.0-liter V4 with 147 horsepower and a CVT in FWD. You also get standard safety features like forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. The MSRP range for the different trims of the Soul is about $21,000–$26,000. Some experts feel the best trim to go with is the GT-Line because it looks sportier and comes with great standard features for a cost of about $25,000. If you are someone who wants a hip ride that is budget friendly, the Kia Soul is the car for you.
Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos comes with a modern, sporty look that is sure to capture your attention. You would have great legroom and space along with optional faux-leather upholstery, heated/ventilated seats, powered tailgate, 27 cubic feet of cargo space, and more. With technology, you get dual 10.3-inch screens (digital gauge cluster and touchscreen) that come with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, optional satellite radio, and optional Wi-Fi hotspot.
You can choose from two engine options: 2.0-liter V4 with 147 horsepower or 1.6-liter turbo V4 with 195 horsepower. The standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The MSRP range for the trims of the Seltos is about $26,000–$31,000. Car gurus feel the best trim to go with is the EX because it comes with a lot of great features not on lower trims but not as expensive as the higher trims. If you want an SUV that is athletic but conservative, the Kia Seltos is the SUV for you.
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage has a modern, athletic design that is more aggressive in appearance than other Kia SUVs. The interior includes 41.3 inches of rear legroom and over 40 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The inside comes with a panoramic sunroof, heated/ventilated seats, and heated steering wheel. The technology includes 12.3-inch dual panoramic displays with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with optional wireless charging pad, Wi-Fi hotspot, and Harman/Kardon sound system. The engine option is a 2.5-liter V4 with 187 horsepower and fuel economy of 25/32 mpg in FWD or 23/28 in AWD. Hybrid and PHEV options are available in recent generations that give more power and better fuel efficiency.
Safety includes standard forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The MSRP range for the Sportage trims is about $28,000–$39,000; furthermore, the best Sportage trim based on certain car gurus is the EX because you get desirable features like heated front seats, 12.3-inch touchscreen, and wireless phone charging for a budget-friendly price. If you want a more aggressive looking SUV with good performance and fuel efficiency, especially with the hybrid or PHEV options, the Kia Sportage is the car for you.
Kia Sorento
The Sorento gives a modern design that is ready to tackle any outdoor adventure you go on. The interior has a great layout made with quality materials. It comes with plenty of cubby storage and the option for captain chairs in the second row. However, the third row can be a little uncomfortable for certain adults, and the cargo space is about 13 cubic feet, which is not a whole lot of space for hauling stuff. The tech comes with a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen, but it comes with optional features like 10.3-inch touchscreen, wireless charging pad, 12-speaker Bose sound system, and entertainment screens behind each front seat.
Safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane keeping assistance. The Sorento comes with two main engine options: 2.5-liter V4 with 191 horsepower or a 2.5-liter turbo V4 with 281 horsepower; however, you can get a couple different options if you choose a hybrid or PHEV version. The MSRP range is about $31,000–$51,000; furthermore, the EX Hybrid is considered the best valued trim because of its hybrid engine with nice features like leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, remote start, blind-spot monitoring, 17-inch wheels, and great styling. If you are someone who likes to go on great outdoor adventures with a SUV that is powerful and eco-friendly, then the Sorento is the car for you.
Kia Carnival MPV
If you were to combine a SUV with a minivan, you would get the Kia Carnival MPV. With the aggressive styling of a SUV, the Carnival MPV has a modern design that makes it more attractive if you have a bigger family. As for the inside, the seating is very accommodating with optional leather upholstery. You can choose from a full second row of seats or captain chairs in the second row that come with heated/ventilated seats just as in the front row. You also get 40 cubic feet of cargo space, which is impressive for a minivan/SUV crossover.
The technology on newer models comes with dual 12.3-inch screens (digital gauge cluster and touchscreen) that have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get the optional rear-seat entertainment screens and 12-speaker Bose sound system; however, you would get 9 USB ports throughout the whole cabin. Standard safety for the Carnival includes automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and an optional adaptive cruise control.
The Carnival is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with 290 horsepower; furthermore, it comes in FWD and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The MSRP range for the trims of the Carnival is about $35,000–$48,000; however, the best trim, according to the car experts, is the EX because it comes with the best features for a convenient MSRP of about $40,000. If you are someone who has a larger family but would like to take your minivan on more adventures, the Kia Carnival is the car for you.
Kia Telluride
As one of the top SUV models that Kia has made, the Kia Telluride has a bold, athletic exterior that is meant to travel on the less-taken path. The interior is spacious, upscale, and comfortable. Newer model years come with great features like a heads-up display, driver seat memory, heated/ventilated seats, and Nappa leather upholstery. The tech of the Telluride includes dual 12.3-inch panoramic screens that come with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, in-dash navigation, and Wi-Fi hotspot. You also get a 10-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, wireless phone charger, and 110-volt power outlet.
Safety is also advanced with standard features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Telluride has a 3.8-liter V6 with 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, which gives the Telluride the towing capacity of about 5,500 pounds. The MSRP range of the Telluride trims is about $37,000–$55,000; however, the best trim, from the advice of car experts, is the SX because it offers quite a luxurious experience for a reasonable MSRP of about $47,000 or $49,000 if you want to add AWD to your SUV. For those who need extra power and luxury when going on various trips or adventures, the Kia Telluride is the car for you.
Wrap Up
Each SUV listed has its unique benefits according to your personal needs. If you need or want an SUV to go on car adventures by yourself or with a small group of friends, then the Seltos, Sportage, and Sorento would be a great option for you. However, if you have a bigger family or have more things you like to haul or tow, the Carnival MPV or Telluride is a better choice for you. Whatever choice you decide to make, you are sure to have an SUV that is dependable, comfortable, and ready to tackle any adventure.