New Kia Models

In summer 2008, the 2009 Kia Borrego will join the growing class of seven-seat SUVs, but in an endangered form: as a body-on-frame, or truck-based, SUV, which is less fuel-efficient than the car-based crossover type. The rear-wheel-drive Borrego also offers four-wheel drive with a choice of engines. Though the construction seems out of date, the Borrego follows the Kia playbook, offering modern features, amenities and interior quality along with a generous warranty — all at a low price. 

The Forte is Kia's new entry in the compact-car segment, replacing the Spectra when it hits dealerships in summer 2009. Offered in LX, EX and SX trim levels, the Forte is available with a choice of four-cylinder engines and comes standard with numerous safety features, including an electronic stability system. Competitors include the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla. 

The Forte is Kia's new entry in the compact-car segment, replacing the Spectra when it hits dealerships in summer 2009. Offered in LX, EX and SX trim levels, the Forte is available with a choice of four-cylinder engines and comes standard with numerous safety features, including an electronic stability system. Competitors include the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla. 

Kia joins the boxy wagon segment with the 2010 Soul, which competes with models like the Honda Element and Scion xB. Employing front-wheel drive and powered by a choice of four-cylinder engines, the Soul comes with a host of standard features and an attractive base price. It's offered in base, Soul+, Soul!, and Sport trim levels. 

Kia says the update of its 2009 Optima was an effort to spice up the car's styling. To that end, the midsize sedan's face has been thoroughly freshened, though its tail remains much the same. Revised engines add some power, but it remains to be seen whether these changes will help the Optima go head-to-head with a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. 

The Amanti is Kia's flagship large sedan. It competes with the Toyota Avalon, Chrysler 300 and Buick LaCrosse. The Amanti is available in one trim level. 

Kia's midsize sedan, built from the same design as the Hyundai Sonata, is a lower-priced, lesser-equipped alternative to its Korean cousin and mainstays such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. A four-cylinder engine is standard, while a V-6 is optional. 

The Rio sedan is Kia's entry in the very competitive small-car segment. Trim levels include a bare-bones Base model, an LX and a sporty SX. The Rio competes with the Chevrolet Aveo and Toyota Yaris. 

The Rio sedan is Kia's entry in the competitive small-car segment. Trim levels include a bare-bones Base model, an LX and a sporty SX. The Rio competes with the Chevrolet Aveo and Toyota Yaris. 

The Rio5 is Kia's version of a sporty European hatchback. The Rio5 is related to Kia's Rio sedan, which is listed separately in the Cars.com Research section. The Rio5 comes in moderately equipped LX and sporty SX trim levels. Kia's Rio5 hatchback competes with other small hatchbacks, including the Chevrolet Aveo5, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris. 

The Rio5 is Kia's version of a sporty European hatchback. The Rio5 is related to Kia's Rio sedan, which is listed separately in the Cars.com Research section. The Rio5 comes in moderately equipped LX and sporty SX trim levels. Kia's Rio5 hatchback competes with other small hatchbacks, including the Chevrolet Aveo5, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris. 

Breaking with segment trends, the Rondo is much smaller than most other vehicles with three rows of seats. It slots below Kia's larger Sedona and competes with the other mini-minivan on the market, the Mazda5. 

Breaking with segment trends, the Rondo is much smaller than most other vehicles with three rows of seats. It slots below Kia's larger Sedona and competes with the other mini-minivan on the market, the Mazda5. 

Kia is one of a handful of carmakers to offer a minivan in both short- and long-wheelbase versions. Both offer the same standard V-6 engine. The long-wheelbase Sedona comes in standard LX and upscale EX trim levels. The short-wheelbase Sedona is available in a single, base trim level. The Hyundai Entourage is closely related to the Sedona. 

Kia offers its minivan in both short- and long-wheelbase versions. Both have the same standard V-6 engine. The long-wheelbase Sedona comes in standard LX and upscale EX trim levels. Competitors include the Honda Odyssey and Dodge Grand Caravan. 

Kia's Sorento is the automaker's midsize SUV offering. The Sorento is available with two different V-6 engines and three different drivetrains in two trim levels, LX and EX. 

The Spectra hasn't changed much for 2009; Kia restyled the exterior and interior for 2007. Trim levels include the base LX, the uplevel EX and a sport-tuned SX. The SX is similar to the Spectra5 hatchback, which is listed separately in the Cars.com Research section. The Spectra competes with small sporty cars like the Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Mazda3. 

Kia's Spectra5 hatchback, which is meant to attract younger buyers, is equipped with a sport-tuned suspension. A version of Kia's Spectra sedan, the SX, features equipment that's similar to the Spectra5; the Spectra sedan is listed separately in the Cars.com Research section. The Spectra5 competes with several models in a growing market of small hatchbacks. Notable competitors include the Toyota Matrix and Mazda3 hatchback. 

The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV that competes with other small SUVs, such as the Jeep Compass and Ford Escape. Because Kia and Hyundai share corporate parentage, the Sportage is related to Hyundai's Tucson. 

The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV that competes with other small SUVs, such as the Jeep Compass and Ford Escape. Because Kia and Hyundai share corporate parentage, the Sportage is related to Hyundai's Tucson.