Kia is Considering AWD for the Niro and Optima, but the Sedona Will Have to Wait

TopSpeed

By Kirby Garlitos

Published Apr 6, 2018

When customers voice out their wants and needs, the automaker has to listen

Kia is looking into the viability of more of its vehicles all-wheel drive as demand for the system grows. Unlike in the past, more customers are now looking for the increased grip that an AWD system provides, and when that kind of demand increases, an automaker like Kia has to listen. Among the models being eyed to get standard AWD in the future include the Optima sedan, the Sedona minivan, and Niro crossover. No decision has been made yet, but Kia is looking at it as a possibility now that customers have become more vocal in their desire to see them on the Kia models that they buy.

This is something that Kia has to listen to, especially if it wants to give the people what it wants. More and more customers, particularly those who buy cars in premium segments, have become more invested in the benefits provided by an all-wheel-drive system. That kind of clamoring could motivate Kia to acquiesce to those calls. It should, too, though it’s also important to do address it at its own pace.

One model that Orth Hedrick, Kia’s North American Product Planner, admitted needs all-wheel drive is the Niro. The crossover is still relatively new, but it makes sense for the model to be offered with all-wheel drive if it’s going to achieve its potential. We’re still studying it,” Hedrick said, referring to the possibility of an all-wheel-drive Niro. “It hasn’t been long since we launched the car and we’re still working on it. As a matter of fact, our head of R&D was here yesterday, and we reiterated our request. They’re working on something. Nothing to announce. It’s something we would like.”

Hedrick said the same thing about the Optima and the Sedona, though he did qualify his words that fitting all-wheel drive on the current-generation minivan is easier said than done. “It’s a platform tear out,” he said. “You’d have to completely change everything underneath the (Sedona). It’ll be a next generation thing because the floor pan and the rear suspension has to be completely redesigned—it’s a major tear up.”

All that said, Hedrick confirmed that Kia is covering all of its bases to make sure that it “looks at everything.” If the company sees the segment transitioning in the direction of all-wheel drive sedans and minivans, it’s going to do its due diligence to see if it makes sense for its own models. “ We look at the opportunity,” he added. “We look at the buyers' interest. And, if it makes sense, we’ll certainly propose it as part of our cycle plans.”

There you have it. Kia’s not going to confirm anything until it’s ready to do so, but given shifting needs among consumers, don’t be surprised if the Korean automaker concedes to calls for all-drive systems on the Optima, Sedona, and Niro. Give the people want they want, right?