Kia has gone through a remarkable evolution. From building successful Japanese and European models under license for decades, thus being a South Korean budget car manufacturer next to Hyundai and Daewoo, to founding Kia Motors America in 1992. Then it went into bankruptcy in 1997, only to be acquired by the Hyundai Motor Company a year later, which managed to outbid Ford at the time. And today? Kia is a major global player, offering a diverse lineup and great value for money, also tapping into premium territory with cars such as the electric EV9. Being a midsize crossover SUV, the EV9 is still not the largest Kia model in North America, so let’s see the full 2026 lineup (and the hamster compact from last year), ranked by size.
Founded
June 9, 1944 (as Kyungsung Precision Industry)
Founder
Kim Cheol-ho
Headquarters
Seoul, South Korea
Owned By
Hyundai Motor Group
Current CEO
Ho Sung Song
The featured image shows the Kia Picanto at 141.5 inches, which is Kia’s entry-level city car in Europe, Asia and South America.
Kia Price Overview
Pricing Every Kia Currently On Sale
Kia base prices
Model
MSRP
Soul (2025)
$20,490
K4
$22,290
Seltos
$23,790
K4 Hatchback
$24,990
Niro Hybrid
$27,390
K5
$27,490
Sportage
$28,790
Sorento
$32,390
Carnival MPV
$37,390
Telluride
$39,190
EV6
$42,900
EV9
$54,900
While the subcompact Soul was discontinued last year, next to the necessary number of crossovers and SUVs in its lineup, Kia also has some added variety in the face of cool sedans Europeans don’t get to enjoy, not to mention the same platform in hatchback form, with the K4 actually being sold as a wagon in Europe. And while some 2026 models are gas-only or pure battery-electric, certain Kia crossovers are available both as normal hybrids, plug-in hybrids or BEVs. Let’s dig in!
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2025 Kia Soul
The Funky Compact That’s No More
2025 Kia Soul Specs Overview
Powertrain
2.0L Four-cylinder
Horsepower and torque
147 hp @ 6,200 rpm / 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
Exterior Length/Width/Height
(inches)
165.2/70.9/63.0
Max Seating Capacity
5
Max Cargo Capacity
62.1 cu-ft
Find 2025 Kia Soul and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
Thanks to its bold styling, affordability and creative marketing, the Soul remained popular and highly recognizable for three generations. Kia decided to retire its subcompact last year, which means you can still grab one new while stocks last. Ranging from $20,490 all the way up to $24,790 for the EX trim, the Soul is only available with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and an IVT transmission. With a turning circle of 34.8 ft. and a traditional handbrake, the Soul is every bit an agile urban warrior, while still offering 38.8 inches of rear legroom and 24.2 cu-ft of cargo room when it needs to carry at least three occupants.
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2026 Kia Seltos
With The Next Generation Around The Corner
2026 Kia Seltos Specs Overview
Powertrain
2.0-liter Inline Four-cylinder
1.6-liter Turbocharged Inline Four-cylinder AWD
Horsepower and torque
147 hp @ 6,200 rpm / 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
190 hp @ 6,000 rpm / 195 lb-ft @ 1,700-4,500 rpm
Exterior Length/Width/Height (inches)
172.6/70.9/63.6
Max Seating Capacity
5
Max Cargo Capacity
62.8 cu-ft
Find 2025 Kia Seltos and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
With up to 190 horsepower with AWD, plus 7.3 inches of ground clearance as standard, the Seltos is a subcompact crossover that shouldn’t break the bank. Pricing starts at $23,790 for the front-wheel-drive LX, while the turbocharged and all-wheel-drive SX swaps the IVT transmission for an eight-speed automatic as well, starting at $31,490. With 38 inches of rear legroom and a minimum cargo space of 26.6 cu-ft when the rear seats are in use, this car is all about feeling great about a power sunroof or a nice set of 17-inch alloy wheels. Now at a cut-price for the FWD versions, you also need to factor in that the new-generation Seltos is already on the horizon.
2026 Kia Niro
Hybrid Or EV
2026 Kia Niro Hybrid / 2025 Niro EV Specs Overview
Powertrains
1.6-liter Four-cylinder and Full Parallel Hybrid System
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Horsepower and torque
139 hp / 195 lb-ft
201 hp / 188 lb-ft
Exterior Length/Width/Height (inches)
174/71.9/60.8
174/71.9/61.8
Max Seating Capacity
5
5
Max Cargo Capacity
63.7 cu-ft
63.7 cu-ft
The subcompact Niro just got a facelift for 2026. Choosing between the hybrid with its six-speed DSG transmission and the EV with its single electric motor doesn’t have an effect on maximum cargo room, although rear legroom is smaller with the batteries inside the floor, at 36.9 inches compared to the hybrids’ more generous 39.8 inches. However, the price difference is huge, since while the most well-equipped Niro SX Touring is a $35,790 affair, the 2025 Niro EV can start as high as $44,600 for the Wave trim. Either way, any Niro is a handsome proposition in a flooded segment.
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2026 Kia Sportage
Gas Or Two Hybrids, Optional AWD
2026 Kia Sportage Specs Overview
Powertrains
2.5-liter Inline Four-cylinder
1.6-liter Turbocharged Four-cylinder and Full Parallel Hybrid System
Horsepower and torque
187 hp @ 6,100 rpm / 178 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
268 hp / 271 lb-ft (combined, plug-in hybrid)
232 hp / 271 lb-ft (combined, hybrid)
Exterior Length/Width/Height (inches)
184.4/73.4/66.3 or 66.9
184.4/73.4/66.9 in. (plug-in hybrid) 184.4/73.4/66.3 in. (hybrid
Max Seating Capacity
5
Max Cargo Capacity
74.1 cu-ft
65.5 cu-ft (plug-in hybrid) 73.7 cu-ft (hybrid)
When the family gets bigger, or you just prefer larger crossovers, the Sportage comes into the picture. It can be a $28,790 pure gasoline car with a naturally aspirated 2.5L engine, but it can also be an X-Line Prestige plug-in hybrid, which starts at $47,190. AWD is standard with the hybrids, except for the cheapest LX trim, while without electrification, only the X-Line gives you that extra traction. Towing could be of interest, in which case the maximum figure for the Sportage is 2,500 lbs, or 2,000 lbs for the pair of hybrids. The pure-electric range of the plug-in hybrid is 34 miles, according to the EPA estimation.
2025 Kia EV6
Futurism And Practicality
2025 Kia EV6 Specs Overview
Powertrains
Permanent Magnet AC Synchronous motor
Permanent Magnet AC Synchronous motor
Dual Permanent Magnet AC Synchronous motor
Horsepower and torque
167 hp and 258 lb-ft
225 hp and 258 lb-ft
320 hp and 446 lb-ft
Exterior Length/Width/Height (inches)
184.8/74/60.8
Max Seating Capacity
5
Max Cargo Capacity
46.7 cu-ft
Find 2024 Kia EV6 GT and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
With a range between 237 miles and 319 miles, the option of rear-wheel drive or AWD, plus up to 320 horsepower, the Kia EV6 is a sleek and versatile compact crossover, as well as arguably the brand’s boldest offering since 2021. What is regrettable, however, is that the performance-oriented EV6 GT has been gone from American dealers since last year, leaving behind the GT-Line as the most dynamic version. That translates to 225 horsepower with a single motor and rear-wheel drive, or 320 hp instead of the GTs’ 577 horsepower, still with dual-motor all-wheel drive. Granted, the GT-Line’s 446 lb-ft of instant torque should still take care of most urgent acceleration needs.
2026 Kia Sorento
Spacious Adventures
2026 Kia Sorento Specs Overview
Powertrains
2.5-liter Four-cylinder
2.5-liter Turbocharged Four-cylinder
1.6-liter Turbocharged Four-cylinder and Full Parallel Hybrid System
Horsepower and torque
191 hp @ 6,100 rpm / 181 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
281 hp @ 5,800 rpm / 311 lb-ft @ 1,700–4,000 rpm
261 hp / 270 lb-ft (combined)
Exterior Length/Width/Height (inches)
189.8/74.8/70.3
189.6/74.8/66.9
Max Seating Capacity
6 or 7
Max Cargo Capacity
75.5 cu-ft
Built over a 110.8-inch wheelbase, the Kia Sorento can be a front-wheel-drive SUV with a 191 horsepower naturally aspirated engine and an eight-speed torque converter, offering seven seats and a ground clearance of 6.9 inches. Need more for your adventures? Luckily, there are also X-Line versions with all-wheel drive with six seats instead of seven, featuring a turbocharged engine and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that deals with 311 lb-ft of torque. Midsize just gets bigger and bigger, while these more capable Sorento trims also come with 8.2 inches of ground clearance, as well as approach and departure angles at 18.4° and 22.3°. Ready for most family car situations. Finally, there is the 1.6-liter plug-in hybrid Sorento, with a pure electric range of 31 miles.
2026 Kia EV9
Luxury Town
2026 Kia EV9 Specs Overview
Powertrains
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Dual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Horsepower and torque
201 hp
215 hp
379 hp
Exterior Length/Width/Height (inches)
197.2/77.9/68.9
197.2/77.9/69.1
197.4/77.9/70.1
Max Seating Capacity
7
7
6
Max Cargo Capacity
81.7 cu-ft
Still midsize, yet arguably massive, the EV9 can start at $71,900 for the range-topping GT-Line, as being the flagship electric Kia. However, you can get this family hauler in a number of different flavors. Just 201 horsepower and 258 lb-ft for the long-range RWD version, which gives you comparable fuel economy of 100/78/89 MPGe, city/highway/combined. Need an AWD EV9? Your efficiency will go down to 94/75/84 MPGe, but 379 horsepower and up to 516 lb-ft of torque on demand should sweeten the deal. The EV9 is an impressive tap into the premium segment, and a large electric car for those who need more space than in the sportier EV6.
2027 Kia Telluride
The American Way
2027 Kia Telluride Specs Overview
Powertrain
2.5-liter Turbocharged Four-cylinder
Horsepower and torque
274 hp and 311 lb-ft
Exterior Length/Width/Height (inches)
199.2/78.3/69.9 (70.5 for the X-Line)
Max Seating Capacity
8 or 7
Max Cargo Capacity
89.3 cu-ft
Think of the Telluride as a larger Sorento, with up to eight seats instead of just seven. Having said that, the S, the X-Line EX and the SX trims come with seven seats only. However, this beast will tow loads of up to 5,000 pounds. Next year, we get the Telluride Hybrid as well, with 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque from the 2.5-liter turbo-hybrid engine, sent through a six-speed automatic transmission. It should be popular, like all huge SUVs these days, especially with Kia’s X-Pro trim, which for the Telluride includes 9.1 inches of ground clearance and all-terrain tires.
2026 Kia Carnival
That V6 MPV Feeling
2026 Kia Carnival Specs Overview
Powertrain
3.5 Liter V6
1.6 liter Turbocharged 4-Cylinder and Full Parallel Hybrid System
Horsepower and torque
287hp @ 6,400 rpm / 260 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
242 hp and 271 lb-ft (combined)
Exterior Length/Width/Height (inches)
203/89.2/68.5 (or 69.9)
Max Seating Capacity
8 or 7 (for LX and VIP Lounge)
Max Cargo Capacity
145.1 cu-ft
Finally, the largest Kia by size. When you need a minivan, a V6-powered comfortable shuttle vehicle, or perhaps a family car for up to eight people, but without the off-road styling of the new Telluride, you go for the fourth-generation Kia Carnival. Past its 2025 facelift, offering convenience and a smooth ride over a 121.7-inch wheelbase, the Carnival is also available as a hybrid, with the 1.6-liter four-cylinder.
That’s it. The Kia lineup, in all shapes and sizes, and getting even better for 2027.
Sources: Kia
