Kia has been doing pretty well in the market lately, especially with its SUVs and crossovers. The automaker hasn’t shied away from taking some bold steps that could have backfired. But, so far, those risks have paid off. Many of its vehicles in this segment overlap each other massively, but Kia is more than happy to have them all there than go with a one-vehicle cavalry to bring home the sales. We’ve ranked all the SUVs and crossovers that Kia has on sale in 2022, but it was tough for us, too, considering how good all its products are. Anyway, here’s all you need to know about them and how they’re ranked:

2022 Kia Telluride

If you need a luxury SUV on a budget, the Kia Telluride is the one to go for. Kia has pretty much always been spot-on with its styling, and the Telluride is no exception. SUVs this big generally tend to look a little boring, but not the Telluride, which was refreshed for the 2022 model with redesigned headlights, and a new grille and bumper. On the inside, there’s a twin 12.3-inch screen setup for the digital instrument cluster and the touchscreen system. Climb up the ladder and you can pamper yourself with things like a Harmon Kardon sound system, front and rear sunroofs, 12-way power-adjustable seats, and so on.

The only chink in its armor is the lack of drivetrain options. The Kia Telluride is offered with just one engine across the lineup, which is a 3.8-liter, free-breathing V-6 that pumps out 291 horses and 262 pound-feet of torque. Power is channeled to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard, while AWD is optional. The three-row SUV can tow up to 5,500 pounds and can be taken off the roads confidently, courtesy of eight inches of ground clearance. Offered in four trims, the 2022 Kia Telluride starts at $33,390 and tops out at $43,290 before options. P.S: If you can wait for a few months, then you’ll be able to get yourself the updated 2023 Kia Telluride that was launched recently and deliveries anticipated to begin soon.

2022 Kia Telluride

2022 Kia Sorento - $29,590

The Kia Sorento is that SUV that you can’t go wrong with. It sure has its own shortcomings, like a cramped third-row that’s best suited for kids and limited cargo space, but if you’re ready to compromise on them, then the SUV won’t disappoint you in any regard. The Sorento looks handsome and rugged on the outside, and comes with a good, well-equipped cabin.

The Sorento comes with a lot of drivetrain options. To accompany the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that’s offered in naturally aspirated and turbocharged guises, Kia has also added a plug-in hybrid to the 2022 model lineup. It puts out up to 261 horses, comes with AWD as standard, and offers 79 MPGe along with 32 miles of electric-only range. In the pure ICE naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms, it makes 191 horses and 182 pound-feet of torque, and 281 horses and 311 pound-feet of twist, respectively. The 2022 Kia Sorento is offered in eight trims, starting at $29,590 and going all the way up to $43,190.

2022 Kia Sorento

2023 Kia Sportage

There is no dearth of crossovers in the market today, and yet the Kia Sportage has made a strong name for itself. The Sportage is one of the longest-running nameplates in Kia’s history. It has been around since 1993 and entered its fifth generation with the 2023 model. The new Sportage comes with a plethora of changes on the outside, inside, and under the skin. Based on a new N3 architecture, it boasts of a mighty bold look, which is necessary in a cut-throat segment like this one. The 2023 Sportage is loaded to the gills when it comes to creature comforts. While an eight-inch touchscreen is the standard system, a 12.3-inch screen is also available for extra moolah.

Just like the Sorento, the Sportage also comes with a variety of powertrains. The base mill is a 2.5-liter, 187-horsepower engine mated to an eight-speed auto ‘box. A hybrid setup combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and an electric motor that together put out 226 ponies. A plug-in hybrid has also been thrown into the mix which comes with AWD as standard. The pure ICE and hybrid are front-wheel-drive as standard, but AWD is optional. There are seven trims in the 2023 Kia Sportage’s lineup, with the range starting at $25,990 and topping out at $36,790 before options.

2023 Kia Sportage

2022 Kia EV6 - $40,900

The Kia EV6 is classified as a crossover, even though many call it a grown-up hatch. The EV6 is one of the best-looking models in Kia’s lineup and has taken the market by storm. It comes with loads of tech features and is offered with multiple powertrains and battery pack options. On the inside, it comes with two 12-inch screens placed together in a single, curved glass.

This EV is available with two battery pack choices – 58 kWh and 77.4 kWh – and two powertrain options – single-motor and dual-motor setup. The base trim comes with a rear-mounted single-motor setup and the smaller standard range battery pack as standard. It makes 167 horses and 258 pound-feet of torque. The EPA-estimated range is rated at 232 miles, which isn’t the best, but it’s not too bad either if you’re looking at it as an urban. Opt for the bigger battery and you’ll be able to go up to 310 miles before plugging it in. It supports 350-kW ultra-fast DC charging that can recharge your EV6 from 10- to 80-percent in just 18 minutes and add up to 70 miles of range in just five minutes. The 2022 Kia EV6 starts at $40,900 and goes all the way up to $55,900. The price is without factoring in the federal tax credit of up to $7,500.

2022 Kia EV6

2022 Kia Niro

The Niro is not the best-looking Kia from the current crop, but it still won’t find any haters. The 2023 model, however, has been updated with the new design philosophy and looks quite different (pictured here). This compact SUV is the definition of value-for-money. Offered as a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid model, the Niro is a product that will make those people happy who want a frugal, inexpensive vehicle to run. But, apart from that, it’s also loaded decently. It comes with an eight-inch touchscreen as standard, but can be upgraded to 10.25 inches.

Coming back to the drivetrains, the Niro is powered by a 1.6-liter, four-pot engine along with an electric motor and a battery. It puts out 139 horses in both, the hybrid as well as the plug-in hybrid version. It delivers fuel economy figures like 51 mpg on the highway and 46 mpg in the city. The PHEV Niro offers an electric-only range of 26 miles. While frugal, the engine is uninspiring and leaves a lot to be desired. However, this won’t be a deal-breaker to folks who want a car with cheap running costs. The 2022 Kia Niro is available in five trims, and ranges from $24,690 to $31,990 before options.

2022 Kia Niro

2023 Kia Seltos

Kia’s attempt at nailing the crossover and compact SUV market is absurdly clear. There are loads of options for the customer, and Kia doesn’t care if one model cannibalizes the other as long as the customer is buying from the same showroom. The Kia Seltos has squeezed itself between the Soul and the Sportage, but still managed to find its own by bringing a lot to the table. For starters, it may have compact dimensions, but the Seltos is fairly spacious on the inside. There are lots of tech features on offer, and even though some of them are optional, it is worth splurging a few extra bucks on. The value-for-money proposition brings things like a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, sunroof, wireless charger, etc. to the table as well.

The 2023 Seltos can be had with either a 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated four-banger, or a 1.6-liter, four-pot mill with forced induction. They make 146- and 175 horses, respectively. They feature different gearboxes – CVT on the naturally aspirated and seven-speed automatic on the 1.6-liter turbo model. All-wheel-drive is standard across the range except for the S, where power is routed to the front wheels only. The 2023 Kia Seltos starts at $22,840 and goes up to $28,430 for the top-trim. There are three more trims in between, which means there will be something for every potential customer to choose from.

2023 Kia Seltos

2023 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul may or may not be eligible to be on this list, but it has been listed alongside SUVs, so why not have it here. The Soul is a weird-looking compact crossover/grown-up hatchback that will make your head turn. The big, pouting mouth and the flat derriere give it a very unique – what’s the word I’m looking for – charm (?!) that you can’t find in many other vehicles. But, this boxy-ass design has allowed the engineers to come up with a cabin that’s mighty spacious for a car this big. Things like a head-up display, heated seats and heated steering, push-start button, and a 10.3-inch touchscreen system amongst other things make the Soul a value proposition.

The Soul is offered with just one engine option – a 2.0-liter, four-pot engine that makes 147 horses. The output is not too lackluster for a product this big, but the CVT that routes power to the front wheels makes it a little boring to drive. On the flip side, the CVT helps achieve figures like 35 miles to the gallon on the highways and 28 miles per gallon in the city. Like most other Kia models, it also comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, which made it the most reliable car brand of 2022. The 2023 Kia Soul is available in four trims, starting at $19,790 and topping out at $24,090.

2023 Kia Soul

Honorary Mention - 2023 Kia Carnival

Now, this is a controversial entry because the Kia Carnival - formerly known as the Sedona - is a pure minivan with an SUV styling. But, because it can be passed off as a mid-size SUV, we’re taking the liberty to give it an honorary mention in this list. The only giveaway – and perhaps the biggest one to differentiate a minivan from an SUV – are the sliding doors. Nonetheless, it deserves a spot here. The supposedly utilitarian vehicle comes with impressive features like a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless charger, power tailgate, etc. The second row is now a configurable bench as standard on the top trim, unlike the captain’s chairs from the 2022 model, which have now become optional.

The Kia Carnival is offered with a 3.5-liter, naturally aspirated V-6 engine as the only option. It churns out 290 horses and 262 pound-feet of torque – similar output to the Telluride despite the displacement difference. The glaring omission on the Carnival is the AWD system that’s not even offered as an option. It comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox that powers the front wheels exclusively. It can tow up to 3,500 pounds. The 2023 Kia Carnival comes in five trims, starting at $32,600 and topping out at $45,700 before options.

2023 Kia Carnival

Kia is the most reliable according to the 2022 J.D. Power Report. Every car comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.

How many models of SUVs does Kia have?

FAQ

Q: What is Kia's best SUV?

This is a subjective question, but we’ve ranked the Telluride as the best Kia SUV. Kia has nailed it with this product in all the departments. The only chink in its armor is the single engine across the lineup. But, other than that, the Telluride is Kia’s best SUV.

Q: Is Kia a reliable SUV?

Since they are sister brands, they both have the same DNA. However, Kia models have the edge over Hyundai in offering better value and overall quality.

Q: Is Hyundai or Kia better?

In 2022, Kia has a total of seven SUVs and crossovers in its lineup. These include – Telluride, Sorento, Sportage, Seltos, Soul, Niro, and the EV6. The Carnival, fka Sedona, looks like an SUV, but is a minivan at its core.

Q: How many models of SUVs does Kia have?