2024 Kia EV Lineup:Which Models are Best?

Welcome to this 2024 Kia EV lineup, where we’ll reveal everything you need to know about this phenomenal manufacturer and its extensive range of electric cars.  

Kia Motors Corporation is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, and the manufacturer has never shied from showcasing its unique creativity in crafting modern vehicles ideally suited to the US market. It has an extensive range of EVs, from fully electric cars such as the Niro EV, EV6, and the latest EV6 to plug-in hybrids and hybrids such as the Niro Plug-in Hybrid and the Sportage Hybrid.  

Which of the cars would fit your billing? Before we delve into details, all these vehicles are top-grade, but the rule of thumb is that your ideal car must fit your needs. Follow this guide for an elaborate review of the 2024 Kia EVs to ensure you make the best choice for your ideal Kia EV model.

Kia EVs Overview

Kia has been at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle development since 1952 when it created the Samchully bicycle. Although not a proper car, it can still be regarded as a zero-emission vehicle.  

But when did it seriously announce its entry into contemporary EV manufacturing?  

In 2008, at the Paris Motor Show, Kia showcased its first two hybrid models with a 15 kW electric motor. This announcement presaged big things to come, as six years later, the company would launch the first ‘real’ EV, the Soul EV, in 2014. Other renowned models, such as the EV6, Optima Plug-In Hybrid, and the Niro Plug-In Hybrid, would later follow suit, and today, the company is an EV leader even in competitive markets such as the US. 

Kia has already staked its claim as a significant EV car manufacturer in the US with a year-to-date share of 4.6%, a figure only bettered by EV behemoths such as Tesla (50.8%) and Ford (7.4%) and only slightly edged by parent company Hyundai (4.9%). Today, Kia EVs are so popular that in quarter two of 2024, the car’s sales in the US eclipsed those of its parent company, Hyundai, despite the latter being a major brand in the country.  

The key to this meteoric rise has been the increased popularity of their latest fully electric, three-row SUV, the E9, which has a record-breaking over 9,000 cars sold in the half-year of 2024. But it's not just the EV9 that’s gained prominence, as the EV6 and the Niro have also seen a significant rise in popularity among Americans. 

Kia EV Line

Kia has three fully electric cars: the EV9, EV6, and the Niro EV, and each of them is a pretty quality EV, as you’ll find out below. Before we look at the respective models, why would you choose an all-electric Kia model over other options, such as the plug-in and fully hybrid? 

It’s primarily all about low maintenance and zero tailpipe emissions. These cars entirely run on a battery, so there’s no combustion that yields the environmentally harmful gases synonymous with gas cars. As a bonus, with Kia all-electric EVs, you’re guaranteed an extensive range at full charge, making them all-time utility cars. 

Kia Niro EV

It's an all-electric subcompact with decent space for such a small car, and its interior finish is impressive. The vehicle features a single electric motor capable of producing up to 201 horsepower, which is quite decent compared to the power output of the hybrid and the plug-in hybrid, which are lower at 139 horsepower and 180 horsepower, respectively. 

It accelerates to 60mph in a measly 6.07 seconds and has a pretty good battery for in-town and countryside drives, with an average of 253 miles on a full charge. However, its charging time is quite a problem compared to other Kia EVs, although with a DC fast charger, it can power up from 10% to 80% in about an hour. 

Kia EV6

You can never mistake the EV6 for another car because of its unique exterior design. It simply announces itself as an effective electric crossover that can cruise up to 300 miles with a full battery just from its streamlined appeal. Unlike the Niro, this is an all-wheel drive vehicle that’s equipped with immense power with an average of 320 or 576 hp (for the GT trim), and you can still choose to drive it in the rear drive mode for an output of 167 or 225hp. 

Despite being all-electric, this is a true-speed car, with an average acceleration rate of 4.5 seconds from zero to 60 mph for the 320 hp AWD GT-Line model. If you fancy better acceleration, there’s the 576-hp GT model, with an astonishing 3.2-second acceleration rate to 60mph. Its interior space is also sufficient to take up two rows without feeling squeezed up, although its primary highlight is the exterior design, which is simply phenomenal.  

Kia has also ensured you’ll rarely run out of power before reaching the next charging station. This is why the EV6 is equipped with a 58.0-kWh  battery and 84.0-kWh for the light and the rest of the models, respectively. It also charges in a flash, taking around 18 minutes (with a DC fast charger) to fill from 10% to 80% charge. This makes it better than the Niro in terms of charging times. 

Kia EV9

If you have driven the gas-powered Telluride, the EV9  is the car that feels every inch like it, although the Kia model is even better as it’s fully electric. The EV9 is the real roomy SUV you’ve been looking for, with rear- or all-wheel drives and an incredible powertrain of 379 hp. The car’s exterior is also beholding with a rugged appeal that makes it ideal for countryside cruises, and its long-range trim comes with a 99.8-kWh battery capable of giving you 304 miles of range when fully charged.  

There’s also the standard rear-wheel-drive trim, which, although with a relatively lower battery capacity (76.1 kWh), still provides sufficient power to tow up to 5000 pounds and a range of 230 miles on full charge. 

kia electric vehicle lineup

Kia Hybrid Line

Kia also has some outstanding hybrids, from plug-ins to pure hybrids, giving you an extensive range when shopping for your ideal car. 

So, what’s the difference between the two hybrid classes? 

A plug-in hybrid (rechargeable) means the car’s battery is the primary power source, and the gas combustion system only kicks in when the battery is low. On the contrary, the battery has a peripheral role in a fully hybrid vehicle, only coming through when driving at low speeds. Moreover, with a fully hybrid car, you don’t need to recharge your battery, as the alternator and regenerative braking take care of that while driving. 

Kia Plug-in Hybrids

Here are the top Kia Plug-in hybrids that are worth your consideration: 

  1. Niro Plug-in Hybrid - It’s one of the perfect Kia cars for around-town driving, giving you a decent all-electric range range of 31 miles. The car also provides a decent miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent of 108 for city and highway, meaning it’s really fuel efficient. 
  2. Sportage Plug-in Hybrid - It's a more powerful car than the Niro and has a more extensive all-electric range of up to 34 miles and a combined city and highway MPGe of 84. 
  3. Sorento Plug-in Hybrid - It’s a unique three-row crossover with a powerful engine that guarantees at least 261 hp and an all-electric range of approximately 32 miles. It’s also the ideal family car as the interior is pretty roomy, especially in the first two rows. The back row is not too spacious but still ideal for kids, and generally, the car is pretty fast, with a decent acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in about 7.6 seconds. 

Kia Full Hybrids

If you’re looking for a Kia electric car that merges the new battery powering system and the conventional gas engine, then this fully hybrid range is worth your time. The primary upside of these cars is that they don’t require any charging, and the battery system only works to increase your fuel driving range, ensuring you save on gas spending. 

Below are the Kia full hybrid models you’ll find in the market and their primary properties: 

  • Kia Sportage Hybrid- It’s a crossover SUV with more responsive acceleration than the non-hybrid Sportage, and it’s available in all-wheel drive mode. This car is powerful thanks to its turbocharged 1.6-liter four and two electric motors that give a powertrain of 227 horsepower. The hybrid feature improves the car’s fuel efficiency with its Miles per Gallon (MPG) rating of 42 mpg city and 44 mpg highway, way better than its plug-in-hybrid model’s 36 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. 
  • Kia Carnival MPV Hybrid - It's a minivan worth looking at, especially if you have experienced its former non-hybrid version. This one comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder combined with a 72-hp electric motor for an output of 242 hp. While this is a relatively lower powertrain than the non-hybrid 287-hp V-6 engine Carnival, the hybrid ranks better in fuel efficiency with an EPA-est. MPG of 31 on the highway. 
  • Kia Sorento Hybrid - It’s a slightly different version from the plugin hybrid (PHEV) highlighted earlier in its engine setup and transmission. It features an electric motor and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder gas engine to give 227hp. Despite its relatively lower power output than the PHEV, this car is all about fuel efficiency, with a decent MPG of 31 miles on the highway. Like the PHEV, it's also a roomy vehicle, thus ideal for family drives, and accelerates pretty fast, getting to 60mpg in about 7.2 seconds. 
  • Kia Niro Hybrid —Like the other hybrids we’ve covered, the Niro also sports an electric motor and a 1.6-liter four-cylinder combination that powers it up to 139 hp. This car only has front-wheel drive, but despite its relatively smaller size, it is the go-to car for long-distance drives, guaranteeing up to 588 miles on a full tank. It’s also lenient on your pocket, giving you an EPA-estimated MPG of 54 on the highway. 
kia ev lineup

How Kia EVs Compare to Other Autos

Regarding range, price, and performance, Kia EVs offer real competition to other renowned EV brands such as Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota, Chevy, Tesla, and even its parent company, Hyundai. For instance, the Kia Sorento Hybrid is a worthwhile alternative to renowned hybrids such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Hybrid, Toyota Grand Highlander, Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, and the Mazda CX 70 and 90. 

Another remarkable model that’s quite popular is the EV6, which is an ideal alternative to the Tesla Model Y Long Range. The EV6 is a cooler-looking car on the outside despite being relatively pricier than the Model Y. It has more room for family and guarantees safety thanks to its assist features. If Kia offered more pocket-friendly prices for this base car, there’d probably be a better uptake than with the competing brands. 

And how about Kia’s most popular car in the US right now, the EV9? Well, this model is truly a world-beater. In terms of performance and appearance, it pushes the ‘overpriced’ Rivian R1S all the way as it has a better interior and a ‘proper’ third row that is as spacious as the other two rows. So, essentially, Kia cars are worth their hype, and it's no surprise they’re doing so well in sales. 

Kia's Future Plans for EV

Kia’s innovativeness and spirit of adventure are simply unstoppable. They’ve got much more lineup for EV enthusiasts, so you really have to watch their space if you’re looking for the next incredible electric car. Having released the EV9, there’s still more to come, and by 2026, the company will bring the EV2, EV3, EV4, and EV5 to the world market to add to their already fast-selling models. 

Going into the future, Kia’s primary aim is to create an EV line that delivers exquisite features and still tends to the low-income bracket of individuals who dream of owning an electric vehicle. In addition to that lineup will be the highly anticipated, super-robust Kia EV8, which is expected to have a powertrain of up to 603HP and an extensive range of 500 miles. It’s just going to get better for Kia lovers. 


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