Kia trimming cars in crossover, EV push

In its push for record sales in the U.S., Kia has been adding models at a brisk pace in recent years. They include the popular Seltos and Telluride crossovers, as well as the Stinger sports sedan that shares its rear-wheel-drive platform with luxury brand Genesis.

Kia has been busting at the seams with new offerings and is now cutting back. Kia cut the Cadenza and K900 sedans this year, and the Stinger is likely to be next. The subcompact Rio sedan could also be cut at the end of its current life cycle.

At the same time, Kia will be adding a full electric vehicle lineup, starting with the EV6 crossover in the U.S. next year. Globally, Kia plans at least seven EV-only models across several segments by 2027. It also is planning to build some of them in the U.S. along with corporate sibling Hyundai.

With Hyundai planning three EV models in the U.S. by 2024, Kia is likely to mirror that production. All 2022 Kia models get the brand's new script-like badging.

Rio: The economy sedan and hatch were freshened for the 2021 model year and roll into 2022 unchanged. The most inexpensive version goes for $17,045 with shipping. But Kia also has the Soul subcompact with a $20,365 starting price with shipping, and more than three times the sales this year through July. Kia is likely to cut the Rio in 2022 at the end of its current life cycle.

Soul: The boxy hatchback carries over for the 2022 model year after a redesign in 2019. The manual transmission previously offered on the base version has been discontinued. The Soul's next freshen should come in the second half of 2022 and a redesign in 2025.

Forte: The compact sedan was redesigned for the 2019 model and has been freshened in Korea for the 2022 model and given the K3 name. Those changes are likely to make their way to the U.S. version this year. A redesign of the Forte/K3 should come in 2023.

K5: Kia changed the name of its Optima midsize sedan to the K5 for the U.S. The midsize sedan was redesigned in 2020 and mostly carries over for the 2022 model year, with some changes to trim packages. A freshen should come in 2023 and a redesign in 2025.

Stinger: The rear-drive sedan, with all-wheel drive as an option, gets a freshen for the 2022 model with new LED exterior lighting, geometric alloy wheels and a more aggressive quad-exhaust design. Horsepower is higher on both available engines. The Stinger debuted in 2017 and shares a platform with the Genesis G70. The Stinger is expected to be discontinued in 2022 at the end of the first generation's life cycle.

Seltos: Launched in early 2020, the Seltos mostly carries over for the 2022 model year. Lower trims receive more standard safety equipment, and higher up the trim ladder there's a new Turbo Nightfall Edition with a unique appearance package. A freshen is expected in the second half of 2022 and a redesign in 2025.

Niro: With hybrid and battery-electric versions, the eco-friendly subcompact crossover carries over for the 2022 model year after a freshen for the 2020 model year. A redesign should be ready in 2023.

Sportage: The Sportage carries over for the 2022 model year, but a redesign is right around the corner. The fifth-generation Sportage made its global debut in July with radically different styling and a long-wheelbase option that should be the exclusive model when it goes on sale in the U.S. as a 2023 model.

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are expected for the first time on a Sportage. The regular and hybrid versions should come to the U.S. in the first half of 2022, with the plug-in later in the year.

Sorento: A redesigned Sorento went on sale for the 2021 model year, with a new standard hybrid version. A plug-in hybrid version of the Sorento is new for the 2022 model year. A freshen is expected in 2023.

Carnival: The minivan, previously named the Sedona, was redesigned this year and went on sale as a 2022 model. A freshen should come in 2025.

Telluride: Kia hasn't been able to make enough of the three-row crossover since it went on sale in 2019. For the 2022 model, Kia is adding equipment to the lower trims, including a larger infotainment display. There also is the new Kia logo and a mildly redesigned radiator grille. A freshen should come in the second half of 2022 and a redesign in 2025.

EV6: The brand's first EV on a dedicated platform will come in the first half of 2022 with both a standard-range and an extended-range battery. A 576-hp performance GT model will come in 2023. A freshen to the EV6, which Kia bills as a crossover, should come in 2025.

Future EVs: Kia has presented broad outlines for a family of global battery-electric vehicles. Its road map for the U.S. is likely to mostly follow corporate sibling Hyundai, which has announced a midsize electric sedan for 2023 and a three-row electric crossover for 2024.