Kia Model History

South Korea · founded 1944

South Korea's second-largest automaker — once a budget alternative, now a design-led brand spanning the Sportage, Telluride, Stinger, and the EV6 electric crossover.

Models

Sportage

Kia's long-running compact crossover — five generations from 1995 to today and consistently one of the brand's best sellers.

Compact SUV · 1995–present
Sorento

Kia's mid-size SUV — four generations from a truck-based 2003 original to a hybrid-capable three-row crossover.

Mid-size SUV · 2003–present
Telluride

Kia's award-winning three-row flagship SUV — named after the Colorado ski town and built in Georgia.

Mid-size SUV · 2020–present
Soul

Kia's boxy, personality-driven urban crossover — a cult classic that ran from 2010 through 2025.

Subcompact SUV · 2010–2025
Seltos

Kia's subcompact crossover slotting between the Rio and Sportage — introduced to the US for the 2021 model year.

Subcompact SUV · 2021–present
Niro

Kia's dedicated hybrid/EV crossover — offered as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric.

Subcompact SUV · 2017–present
Carnival / Sedona

Kia's minivan — sold as the Sedona from 2002 through 2021, then relaunched as the Carnival from 2022.

Minivan · 2002–present
Optima / K5

Kia's mid-size sedan — sold as the Optima from 2001 through 2020, redesigned and renamed the K5 from 2021.

Mid-size car · 2001–present
Forte

Kia's compact sedan — a value-focused Civic/Corolla rival that ran from 2010 through 2024 before being replaced by the K4.

Compact car · 2010–2024
Cadenza

Kia's near-luxury full-size sedan — a front-drive flagship above the Optima, sold in the US from 2014 through 2020.

Full-size car · 2014–2020
Rio

Kia's entry-level subcompact — a budget sedan and hatchback sold in the US from 2001 through 2023.

Subcompact car · 2001–2023
Stinger

Kia's rear-wheel-drive sport sedan — a landmark car that proved Kia could compete with European performance brands.

Sports car · 2018–2023
EV6

Kia's breakthrough dedicated electric crossover on the E-GMP platform — including the 576-hp EV6 GT.

Electric SUV · 2022–present
EV9

Kia's full-size three-row all-electric SUV — a flagship EV on the E-GMP platform, built in Georgia.

Electric SUV · 2024–present

Other makes