Kia sets stage for electric surge

Kia is busy plotting its road to electrification. The Korean brand has said it will debut 14 EVs globally by 2027, with eight EVs for the U.S. by 2029, and convert half of its new-vehicle sales from gasoline to electric by the early 2030s.

Kia also has been revamping its crossover-heavy lineup with freshenings and redesigns spanning the 2022 and 2023 model years. The fifth-generation Sportage compact crossover, which went on sale early this year, now offers buyers hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. The staggered rollout of the eco-friendly powertrains still awaits an exact on-sale date for the plug-in hybrid version.

The Niro, Kia's "trifecta of electrification," bowed as a redesign for 2023. The hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric models, increased in size and performance, have garnered more attention thanks to interest in the brand's new EV6 electric compact crossover. The EV6 burst onto the scene in a quirky commercial starring an electric dog during this year's Super Bowl that helped showcase the EV and its vehicle-to-load capability. A high-performance EV6 GT model is on the horizon.

The three-row Telluride crossover is freshened for 2023 with upgrades that enhance its off-roading prowess and give it a sportier look overall. A similarly-sized seven-seat electric crossover — the EV9 — could arrive next year, filling a large void in the industry's current electric offerings.

Though Kia has not revealed exactly which current vehicles will stay or go following the 2023 model year, it's likely the Rio subcompact car will be replaced by a small crossover and that the K5 and Stinger sedans will be phased out in favor of electric options.

Electric midsize pickup: When Kia began stepping up its EV plans, it added two pickups to the list. One would be a "strategic model" for emerging markets and the other a dedicated model — with the suggestion that it would be built on parent Hyundai Motor Group's E-GMP platform.

That truck, likely a midsize, is expected in 2027 or 2028. Kia will be up against some big new players, including Volkswagen, with its coming Scout brand, and Ford, which could electrify its Ranger. Dodge also is exploring the idea of an electric midsize pickup.

EV9: Kia unveiled the EV9 concept in 2021 as a boxy, Telluride-sized electric crossover with three rows developed on the E-GMP architecture, which enables ultrafast charging and robust range. Kia has confirmed that production will begin in fall 2023, so the seven-seater will hit the market in late 2023 or 2024, filling a spot cornered only by Tesla's pricey Model X. Pricing is unknown but could land between $50,000 and $60,000.

EV6: The 2022 EV6 electric compact crossover is the first dedicated EV Kia has rolled out as part of its effort to debut eight EVs by 2029. It uses the E-GMP architecture and shares a platform with Hyundai's Ioniq 5, coming in three trim levels: Light, Wind and GT-Line. A more powerful 576-hp GT will go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2022.

For 2023, the EV6 carries over unchanged. It will be due for a freshening in 2025, and a redesign should follow in late 2027.

EV4 and EV3: A pair of electric subcompact crossovers are expected around the middle of the decade. Kia has said the naming convention of its electric vehicles will have "EV" plus a number that indicates the vehicle's position in the lineup, so this duo will sit side by side. The EV4 is expected in late 2024, with the EV3 following in mid-2026. It is possible that one of the two will not come to the U.S.

Niro: Kia's Niro epitomizes the brand's eco-friendly strategy by offering a trio of electrified powertrain options — full-electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid. The subcompact crossover, which shares a platform with the Hyundai Kona but has a lower, more wagonlike body, is redesigned for 2023 and goes on sale in the fall with larger dimensions, including a 107.1-inch wheelbase that pushes overall length to 174 inches. The cargo area behind the rear seats also has been enlarged.

The Niro EV's range increases by 14 miles to 253 miles. Charging from 10 to 80 percent of capacity on a Level 3 charger will drop below 45 minutes, compared with previous charge times of more than an hour. Like the EV6, the Niro EV features vehicle-to-load capability.

The plug-in hybrid variant gets a 7-mile boost in all-electric range to 33 miles, using a larger 11.1 kilowatt-hour battery (up from 8.9 kWh). The electric motor — paired with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine — is now 62 kilowatts vs. 59 kW, and combined system output increases from 139 hp to 180 hp.

The hybrid Niro uses the same engine as the plug-in paired with a 32-kW electric motor. Fuel economy improves slightly, returning 53 mpg in combined driving.

A freshening is expected late in 2024, likely for the 2025 model year. But this could be the last generation of the Niro, as Kia rolls out its portfolio of dedicated EVs. One of the forthcoming electric subcompact offerings could replace the Niro in 2026.

EV5: An electric sedan is expected in mid-2025. It is still unclear whether Kia's K5 midsize sedan will phase out after its current cycle. If so, the EV5 could take its place in the lineup, sharing similar dimensions with the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and sporting a design that's not aimed at family demographics.

Telluride: The popular large crossover debuted as a new model in 2020 and was freshened for the 2023 model year, going on sale in the fall. Changes include new off-road enhancements, styling tweaks and upgraded tech. Two new adventure-oriented trims — X-Line and X-Pro — boost ground clearance to 8.4 inches and improve angles of approach (20 degrees) and departure (23.5 degrees). The X models also get an exclusive grille design and badging, roof rails and body-color door handles. The rest of the Telluride lineup gets new bumpers and a new grille, revised vertical headlights and a new rear fascia for a more chiseled profile.

The Telluride should get a substantial redesign in the first half of 2025 as part of its normal life cycle. It will likely include a hybrid or turbo four-cylinder option.

Sorento: The fourth generation of the midsize crossover arrived for the 2021 model year with new styling, a more capable X-Line trim, two punchier gasoline engines and a hybrid model. A plug-in hybrid variant was added for 2022, making it one of the only small seven-seaters with a plug other than the Tesla Model Y. For 2023, the Sorento carries over unchanged, but it's due for a freshening late next year. Look for its next redesign in early 2026.

Sportage: The Sportage compact crossover, Kia's longest running nameplate, was redesigned for 2023 and went on sale this year. The fifth generation brings two new all-wheel drive-only adventure trims — X-Line and X-Pro — that have distinct styling, more ground clearance and Leatherette seating. The more capable X-Pro gets all-terrain tires and multiterrain drive modes. A new standard 187-hp 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed transmission replaces the outgoing powertrain and can be configured with front-wheel drive or awd. A turbo hybrid has now joined the lineup, and a plug-in hybrid version will go on sale at the end of the summer. The Sportage is likely to get a freshening in 2025, while a redesign could come in early 2027.

Seltos: The Seltos subcompact crossover was freshened for 2022 with a new Nightfall trim and standard safety tech. It carries over mostly unchanged for 2023, except for some minor enhancements on lower trims. A new generation is expected in mid-2025.

Sonet: Kia could bring the Sonet subcompact crossover to the U.S. to replace the Rio, which is unlikely to return following the 2023 model year. The Sonet is Kia's version of the Hyundai Venue and is sold primarily in India. If so, it would become Kia's new entry point.

Carnival: Kia's Carnival minivan is a uniquely styled kid hauler that replaced the Sedona in the 2022 model year. It carries over unchanged for 2023. A freshening is likely in 2024, with a redesign following in 2027.

K5: In 2021, Kia renamed its Optima midsize sedan the K5 and gave it sleeker, fastback styling. The car carries over unchanged for 2023. A new generation with moderate changes is expected in the first half of 2026, but the car could be facing the end as interest in the segment dwindles.

Stinger: Kia's high-style, rear-wheel-drive compact sport sedan, which debuted for 2018, is viewed by many as a branding exercise that may not live beyond one generation. A freshening for 2022 brought a GT-Line with a 300-hp turbo 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a GT with a twin-turbo V-6 that delivers 368 hp. For 2023, the Stinger carries over unchanged, and production is expected to end in late 2023, with sales continuing into 2024.
Forte: A redesign of the compact sedan is expected in 2024, but its two gasoline-powered engines may remain the sole offerings. Unlike rivals in the compact segment, the Forte does not offer a hybrid version. A hybrid Forte is built in China, but it's unlikely Kia will import it, as the U.S. Forte is built in Mexico.

Soul: The 2023 Soul has carried over mostly unchanged since it was redesigned only three years ago. Kia will likely drop the boxy subcompact, although sales will continue into 2026.
Rio: Kia's smallest vehicle is due for a redesign but carries over unchanged for 2023 — an indication that this will be the final act for the high-mileage subcompact sedan. That would follow the fate of the Hyundai Accent subcompact sedan, which Hyundai confirmed will not return for the 2023 model year.