Kia has become one of the most popular car brands in America. Great warranty coverage and value-packed trim options have helped the Korean automaker to flourish. It also has several models that deliver an enjoyable driving experience. Let’s check out Kia’s sedan lineup for 2018.
2018 Kio Rio
Although the subcompact Kia Rio is the smallest sedan in the lineup, it still brings a lot of great qualities to the table. With prices starting at only $14,795, the redesigned Rio is an excellent option for budget-minded car buyers. Not only does the all-new model provide more passenger room, but it also offers a greater number of advanced safety features. Unlike most cars in this price class, the Rio can be equipped with autonomous emergency braking. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are found on the range-topping EX trim. Impressive interior quality gives the Rio an edge over rivals like the Nissan Versa and the Chevrolet Sonic.
All versions of the Rio come equipped with a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine. It develops a competitive 130 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque. The lightweight sedan feels especially responsive around town. However, you’ll also have no trouble accelerating onto the freeway. Drivers will certainly enjoy the Rio’s efficient design. Fuel economy stands at an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the open road.
2018 Kia Forte
In terms of size, the compact 2018 Kia Forte is a step above the Rio. A 100,000-mile powertrain warranty gives it an edge over the Honda Civic and the Mazda Mazda3. Prices start at a reasonable $17,600. You’ll have access to several nice features. While Bluetooth and a backup camera come standard, heated/ventilated front seats and a 7.0-inch touch-screen display are offered on the higher trim levels. Excellent crash scores make the Forte an even more rewarding daily-driver. It earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
You can expect the 2018 Kio Forte to perform well on the road. An available Drive Mode Select feature enables you to adjust the sedan’s responsiveness at the touch of a button. Activating the Sport mode makes the Forte a bit more engaging to drive. A 147-horsepower engine comes standard. While the six-speed manual transmission feels sporty, the optional six-speed automatic bolsters fuel economy. Drivers can anticipate getting 29 mpg in town and 37 mpg on the highway. If you desire quicker acceleration, step up to the upgraded four-cylinder engine. Kia tuned it to produce a healthy 164 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive comes standard throughout the lineup.
2018 Kia Optima
Although the 2018 Kia Optima faces some stiff competition in the midsize sedan segment, it remains a solid choice. Expect to pay round $23,400 for the well-equipped base model. A lot of car shoppers are attracted to the Optima’s sleek exterior styling. Adding the optional sport body kit gives the sedan a very athletic look. To help the Optima to gain ground against the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord, Kia loaded it with more equipment for 2018. The standard touch-screen infotainment system is a feature that a lot of buyers will appreciate. Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert further highlight the Optima as a strong value. Automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning are optional.
You have three different four-cylinder engines to choose from. Developing a total of 185 horsepower, the base 2.4-liter engine will appeal to a lot of drivers. A smaller turbocharged engine comes equipped on the eco-friendly LX 1.6T trim. It boosts fuel economy to a thrifty 28 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Atop the lineup sits the boosted 2.0-liter engine, which pushes out 245 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. To experience the most fun on the road, choose the sporty SX model. While the Optima SX’s performance-tuned suspension aids handling, its shift paddles allow you to manually change gears.
2018 Kia Stinger
Kia’s first-ever true sports sedan has taken the automotive world by storm. It was named as Best of the Year in MotorWeek’s 2018 Drivers’ Choice Awards.
In the eyes of many car critics, the 2018 Kia Stinger is among the best bargains on the entire market. With an MSRP of $31,900, it’s a far more affordable alternative to the BMW 440i Gran Coupe and the Porsche Panamera. Although the Stinger may not have the prestige of its European rivals, automotive journalists praise the sedan for its stunning exterior styling and comfy interior. Even the base model comes loaded with a long list of modern features. Some of the goodies include a touchscreen interface, smartphone integration, and a backup camera. If you have a passion for music, the available 720-watt Harman Kardon promises to impress. A plethora of driver-assist technologies are offered as well, including blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist.
The 2018 Kia Stinger is engineered to excite drivers. A lot of buyers will be satisfied with the base turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It develops an inspiring 255 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Although a traditional manual gearbox isn’t available, the Stinger’s eight-speed automatic transmission is remarkably smooth and precise. According to the EPA, drivers can anticipate getting 22 mpg in traffic and up to 29 mpg on the highway. Stepping up to the twin-turbo V6 enables you to experience more thrills. It churns out an exciting 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. A quick 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds proves the Stinger can keep pace with the competition. Aside from the Stinger’s blistering acceleration, it also handles great on twisty roads.
2018 Kia Cadenza
When shopping for a new luxury sedan, don’t forget about the 2018 Kia Cadenza. It’s stylish, remarkably spacious, and loaded with a lot of convenient features. It costs around $33,200, which is thousands of dollars less than the new Audi A6. As soon as your family steps inside the new Kia Cadenza, they’ll immediately notice its enormous backseat. If you demand the maximum degree of luxury, the Limited trim will get your attention. Some of the high-end features consist of quilted Nappa leather, a 630-watt sound system, and a 14-way power driver’s seat. Buyers who stick with the base Premium model can opt for advanced safety technologies like forward collision warning and Smart Cruise Control.
Although the Kia Cadenza doesn’t offer an engine upgrade, the standard V6 has a decent punch. It produces 290 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission helps the sedan to feel responsive. Unfortunately for drivers living in snow-prone regions, an AWD system isn’t offered. Because the Cadenza is reasonably good on gas, you won’t mind driving it around on an everyday basis. It delivers a combined 23 mpg on regular unleaded fuel.
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