If you’re a Kia fan and you’re interested in picking up a new vehicle this year, then you have a lot of reasons to be excited: six very clear reasons to be specific. The new 2021 models that you’ll find at your local Kia dealer are among the best that have ever graced Kia’s lineup. Best of all, these vehicles include bold, powerful SUVs, as well as sporty, sophisticated, and surprisingly powerful sedans. One of the things I look for in a manufacturer’s lineup is an option for just about every driver – and this year, Kia has it covered.
Let’s take a brief look at the six Kia vehicles I’m most excited about in 2021 and see what you should be looking for at your Kia dealer this year. And if you don’t see something here that quite tickles your fancy, then check out the rest of Kia’s lineup. Because even though these six are powerful and impressive, they’re not even close to the full range of models available at your Kia dealer.
The 2021 Kia Soul
Updated for 2021, the classic Kia Soul is definitely one of the most exciting hatchbacks that you’ll find at your Kia dealer. The standard trim features a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that offers 147 hp and the option of a 6-speed manual transmission for a responsive drive that always puts you in control. Other standard features include a 7-inch infotainment display and a spacious interior with more than 100 cu. ft. of passenger room.
The available features, however, are where the Kia Soul really takes off. For example, the Turbo trim comes with a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine that delivers 201 hp, with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and paddle shifters to bring you an incredible driving experience. The Turbo also features a 10.25-inch Infotainment display, wireless phone charger, and Harman Kardon audio system with speaker lights to complete the package. If you’re looking for a hatchback with real personality and performance, then the Soul has you covered.
The 2021 Kia Seltos
There’s no doubt that the compact crossover SUV market is one of the most fiercely competitive in the auto industry due to the popularity of these vehicles. That being said, the brand-new 2021 Kia Seltos is looking to take over the market and offer an irresistible small SUV with a bold design and two different starting trims. That’s right: two trims that start at the same low price with key differences between them.
The Kia Seltos LX has a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that delivers 147 hp and features torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and a multi-link rear suspension that makes it a great choice for hitting the trail or handling rough conditions. On the other hand, the Seltos S features front-wheel drive, which gives it a slightly better fuel economy, and it has a more luxurious interior featuring a leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather-wrapped gearshift knob. Both models start at the same price, which lets you choose either greater performance or added luxury.
The 2021 Kia Sportage
If you’re looking for something a little beefier in a crossover, then the 2021 Sportage, which brings a number of new options, is a great choice. Standard features on the Sportage LX include a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine that provides 181 hp, a 6-speed Sportmatic automatic transmission, 17-inch wheels, and available all-wheel drive. The standard Sportage also includes an 8-inch infotainment display, and excellent safety features, including forward collision avoidance-assist with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, and a lane departure warning.
Of course, if you want to take things further, the Sportage SX Turbo features a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that delivers 240 hp with 19-inch wheels. The SX Turbo also has a panoramic sunroof, leather seating, an 8-inch infotainment system with navigation, and a Harman Kardon premium surround sound system.
The 2021 Kia Sorento
For years now, the Kia Sorento has been a leader in the midsize SUV category, and the impressive all-new 2021 Sorento is clearly looking to continue that trend. With three different engines to choose from, including a hybrid option, and five trims available, you can find pretty much exactly what you want in a Sorento at your Kia dealer. The standard drivetrain on the Sorento LX is a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that offers up to 191 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It comes with three rows of seating to safely and comfortably seat seven passengers and standard safety features that include automatic emergency braking, a lane keeping assist function, and lane following assist.
The more powerful EX trim, however, comes with an impressive 2.5L turbocharged engine that delivers up to 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It has seating for six people thanks to a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row, and a wireless phone charger. The SX trim takes this even further, with the same powerful engine along with a 10.25-inch infotainment display with navigation, a panoramic sunroof, and 20-inch black alloy wheels.
The 2021 Kia K5
Arguably the most exciting new vehicle that you’ll find at your Kia dealer, the 2021 K5 is an entirely new model, replacing the popular midsize Kia Optima. This redesigned and refreshed model offers one of the most impressive sedans on the market while maintaining Kia’s reputation for reliability and affordability.
The K5 is a midsize sedan with real power and performance available, much more than you’d probably expect. The standard engine is a nice 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder that offers up to 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, with an 8-speed automatic transmission for great performance. However, what really has drivers excited is the GT, which has a larger 2.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that delivers 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque and comes with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. With 19-inch wheels, Pirelli P-Zero tires, and a sport-tuned suspension, the GT can go from 0 to 60 mph faster than the BMW 330i.
On top of that performance, the K5 also comes with a range of fantastic interior features and safety systems. These include standard automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and lane following assist, and a driver attention warning. Higher trims add blind-spot collision-avoidance assist and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist for even greater safety.
The 2021 Kia Stinger
Finally, the 2021 Stinger is what you get when Kia devotes itself to building a high-performance sports sedan. This is a gorgeous vehicle that is a joy to drive, with rear-wheel drive standard and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive available. The standard trim of the 2021 Stinger includes a 2.0L twin-scroll turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that offers 255 hp, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and paddle shifters on the steering wheel. It has 18-inch wheels, a 12-way power driver seat, and a 7-inch infotainment display.
If you step up to the GT trims, however, then you get a 3.3L V6 twin-turbo engine that delivers 365 hp, along with high-performance Brembo brakes, launch control, and 19-inch wheels. The GT2 has an electronically controlled suspension, a limited-slip differential, and Nappa leather seats featuring 16-way power front seats. You also get a head-up display, an 8-inch infotainment display with navigation, a 7-inch LCD instrument cluster, and a 15-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system for an unbelievable driving experience. This is a sedan that can go from 0 to 60 in 4.7 seconds. What more is there to say?
