Which Kia should I buy?

Kia has come a long way. From a relatively unknown South Korean brand, it has worked its way up the ladder to become one of the leading automakers in the world. In the Philippines, Kia offers a selection of vehicles that have proved to be stylish and reliable. In this guide, we'll help you find the best Kia to suit you or your family's needs.

Starting with the most affordable vehicle in the Kia lineup, we got the Sonet. With a starting price of P758,000, the Sonet provides a compelling option for those in search of a stylish subcompact crossover. 

Powering the Sonet is a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder gasoline engine that puts out 113 hp and 144 Nm of torque via a six-speed manual transmission or Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission. 

Don’t be fooled by the price, the Sonet is adequately equipped even in its base variant. Standard features include an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a speaker system with four speakers and two tweeters, rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, and a multi-function steering wheel. The range-topping variant comes with additional safety features like Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Downhill Brake Control (DBC), High Beam Assist (HBA), and Driver Attention Warning (DAW). Providing adequate features at any price point, the Sonet is a good choice for any person across a range of budgets. Whether you’re choosing the base variant or the top-of-the-line version, the Sonet will not disappoint.

The Soluto is Kia's entry in the subcompact sedan segment. Rivaling the likes of the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 and Honda City, the Kia Soluto has held its own since launching in 2019. It features a 1.4-liter Dual-CVVT gasoline engine that produces 94 hp and 132 Nm of torque, with a four-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission available. 

Feature-wise, the seamless infotainment system takes center stage, coming with a seven-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. There's also a 2.8-inch LCD that shows driving information, including the trip meter, range, and fuel consumption. Though the Soluto starts at a much higher price than the Sonet, the top variant is less expensive, priced at P865,000. If you simply want a vehicle to use as a daily driver that sips fuel and has a decent amount of tech and safety features, the Soluto is more than enough for your needs.

Climbing higher up the Kia lineup, the Seltos is up next. Serving as the next size up from the Sonet, the Seltos is a crossover that goes up against the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Honda HR-V, and the Toyota Yaris Cross to name a few.

Under the hood, the Kia Seltos comes with a choice of two engines, a naturally-aspirated 1.5-liter gasoline engine and a turbocharged 1.4-liter gasoline engine. The naturally aspirated variants come paired with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission while the turbocharged SX is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

This subcompact crossover comes standard with an eight-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a reverse camera. The top trim level gets keyless entry, cruise control, automatic climate control, full-LED lighting, rear parking sensors, and Kia Drivewise ADAS. With its stylish looks and capable engine, the Seltos can work well for young professionals and emerging families alike.

The Kia Sorento is a mid-size crossover that breaches a more premium price bracket. It elevates the Tiger Nose grille with angular LED lights with silver accents framing the front fascia, while the rest of the vehicle benefits from sophisticated styling. The Sorento can be a viable option for larger families that want a feature-packed and spacious vehicle that looks good and performs well.

The Sorento seats seven passengers, and it can carry a full load with ease thanks to a 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine that delivers 200 hp and 441 Nm of torque. The Smartstream diesel motor connects to an eight-speed automatic transmission. If you're looking for a premium seven-seater that looks and feels refined inside and out, the Sorento should be on your list.

Kia doesn't just produce capable sedans and crossovers— it also makes one of the best minivans in the local scene. The Carnival features a refined design that won't look out of place in a European setting or anywhere else for that matter. 

The Carnival packs a 2.2-liter diesel motor that delivers 199 hp and 441 Nm of torque. The minivan is available in a seven-seater layout only, so while it can’t haul a lot of passengers, you can be sure they’ll be traveling in utmost comfort. The range-topping variant even comes with advanced driver aids that will help drivers during long journeys. Families who want to ride in style and comfort won’t have much to complain about with the Kia Carnival.

Next up is a battery-electric compact crossover, the EV6. The EV6 is Kia’s first electric vehicle and it holds the honor of being the first vehicle in Kia’s new EV line. 

Being an EV, the Kia EV6 showcases a contemporary and aerodynamic exterior design that complements its advanced electric powertrain. Its sleek, low-slung profile exudes a sporty demeanor, accentuated by a gently sloping roofline that adds a touch of coupe-like elegance.

In the Philippines, Kia introduced the EV6 GT-Line Long Range model, featuring an impressive output of 226 hp and 350 Nm of torque, paired with a substantial 77.4-kWh battery. According to U.S. EPA testing, the EV6 can travel up to 528 km on a single charge.

Priced at P3,788,000, there’s no denying that the EV6 has a steep price tag. However, if money is no object and you desire a refined and capable EV, the EV6 provides an experience like no other.

Also known as the Kia Karga, the K2500 is the sole light commercial vehicle (LCV) on this list. The K2500 is a reliable cargo hauler that can help businesses with day-to-day operations. Kia equipped this LCV with a 2.5L CRDi turbocharged diesel engine with a six-speed manual transmission. The motor delivers a healthy 128 hp and 255 Nm of torque. What makes the K2500 even more desirable, is the fact that it has 4x4 options included in its lineup, meaning it can go farther beyond the usual rear-wheel drive commercial vehicles.  It's a no-nonsense vehicle that does one thing and does it well. It’s perfect for small to medium-sized businesses that need a reliable partner vehicle.