Kia Sport Utility Vehicles: Exploring the Lineup
Photo Source/Copyright: Kia
How can automotive shoppers easily navigate the expansive choices between two-row agility and three-row passenger space, or traditional gas powertrains and modern electrification? This guide sorts Kia’s SUV lineup by seating, cargo space, towing, and powertrain so you can narrow the field before visiting a showroom.
Quick answer: The lineup spans the compact Seltos, the two-row Sportage, the available three-row Sorento, and the three-row Telluride, plus the fully electric EV6 and EV9, and the hybrid Niro.
Kia SUV Lineup at a Glance
Key takeaway: Seating and powertrain narrow the lineup faster than price does.
The Soul has been discontinued, so the Seltos now serves as the base trim. The Sportage, Sorento, and Telluride step up in size and seating from there.
| Model | Size Class | Seating | Available Powertrains | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seltos | Subcompact SUV | 5 | Gas, turbo, hybrid | Value, easy parking, available AWD |
| Sportage | Compact SUV | 5 | Gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid | Commuting, cargo, efficiency |
| Sorento | Midsize SUV | Up to 7 | Gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid | Occasional third-row use |
| Telluride | Three-row midsize SUV | Up to 8 | Turbo, turbo hybrid | Full-time three rows, towing |
| EV6 | Electric crossover | 5 | Fully electric | Long electric range, fast charging |
| EV9 | Electric three-row SUV | 6 or 7 | Fully electric | Three-row electric family duty |
Two-Row Kia SUVs: Seltos and Sportage
- Best For: Commuters, small families, first-time SUV buyers
- Layout: Two rows, seating for five
- Advantage: Available all-wheel drive (AWD), hybrid, and plug-in hybrid paths
The Seltos is the easiest Kia SUV to park. The turbocharged X-Line is estimated to deliver 190 horsepower, and all-wheel drive is standard. A hybrid also joins the lineup with available e-AWD.
The Sportage is the volume choice. Its hybrid makes 232 horsepower and earns EPA ratings of 41 miles per gallon (MPG) city and 44 MPG highway in front-drive form, with 39.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and up to 73.7 cubic feet folded. The Plug-in Hybrid adds 268 horsepower and 33 miles of electric-only driving.
Best match: Choose the Seltos for the smallest footprint, or the Sportage for cargo flexibility and electrified options.
Kia Sorento: Available Three-Row Flexibility
- Best For: Families needing an occasional third row
- Layout: Available with three rows, seating up to seven
- Advantage: Gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid availability
The Sorento adds a third row without the Telluride’s bulk. Its turbocharged gas engine makes 281 horsepower and tows up to 4,500 pounds when properly equipped in the top all-wheel-drive trim.
The hybrid makes 227 horsepower and is EPA-rated at 36 MPG highway, with a 2,000-pound towing capacity. Cargo ranges from 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row to 75.5 cubic feet behind the first.
Best match: Choose the Sorento if the third row is occasional rather than everyday.
Kia Telluride: The Largest Kia SUV
- Best For: Larger families, road trips, towing
- Layout: Three rows, seating up to eight
- Advantage: Standard turbocharged power with an available turbo hybrid
The Telluride is the largest Kia SUV and the strongest tow vehicle in the lineup. Its 2.5-liter turbocharged engine makes 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and it tows up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The available turbo-hybrid generates 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, with an EPA-estimated 35 MPG combined.
Seating reaches eight with a second-row bench or seven with captain’s chairs, though the hybrid comes only as a seven-passenger model. Cargo behind the third row measures 22.3 cubic feet, or 21.3 in the hybrid.
Best match: Choose the Telluride if all three rows stay in use and you tow regularly.
Hybrid and Electric Kia SUVs
Key takeaway: Efficiency no longer means giving up SUV pragmatism.
Kia offers hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric SUVs. The Niro is now sold as a hybrid, and its electric and plug-in versions are no longer in production. The EV6 and EV9 are the fully electric choices.
| Model | Type | Key Figure | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage Hybrid | Hybrid | Up to 42 MPG combined | Commuters wanting MPG without plugging in |
| Sportage Plug-in Hybrid | Plug-in hybrid | 33 mi. electric, 470 mi. total | Home charging plus long-trip flexibility |
| Sorento Hybrid | Hybrid | 36 MPG highway | Three-row seating with hybrid efficiency |
| EV6 | Fully electric | Up to 319 mi. EPA-est. range | Long-range electric with rapid charging |
| EV9 | Fully electric | Up to 305 mi.; tows up to 5,000 lb. | Three-row electric family duty |
Which Kia SUV Fits Your Driving Style?
Before deciding, count how many passengers you regularly ride with, consider whether you tow, and confirm whether you can charge at home.
| Driving Need | Best Fit | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Daily errands, tight parking | Seltos | Smallest footprint with available AWD |
| Commuting with cargo | Sportage or Sportage Hybrid | Strong MPG and up to 73.7 cu. ft. of cargo space |
| Occasional third-row use | Sorento | Three rows in a manageable midsize package |
| Full-time three rows and towing | Telluride | Up to eight seats and up to 5,000 lb. towing |
| Home charging available | EV6 or EV9 | Fully electric with fast-charging support |
Find Your Kia SUV
Compare the Kia SUV lineup in person. Our team can walk you through seating layouts, cargo configurations, towing equipment, and electrified options. Browse our inventory or schedule a test drive.
Kia SUV FAQs
Q: What Kia SUV models are available?
A: The lineup includes the Seltos, Sportage, Sorento, and Telluride, plus the fully electric EV6 and EV9, and the hybrid Niro.
Q: Is the Kia Soul still available?
A: No. The Soul has been retired from the lineup, and the Seltos now serves as the entry point among Kia SUVs.
Q: Which Kia SUV is best for families?
A: The Sorento suits families needing a third row occasionally, while the Telluride is the better fit for everyday three-row use.
Q: What is the difference between the Sportage and the Sorento?
A: The Sportage is a two-row compact SUV seating five. The Sorento is larger with available three-row seating.
Q: Which Kia SUV tows the most?
A: The Telluride, at up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped with the turbocharged engine.
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