Kia has come a long way in the automotive world over the past two decades. What was once a brand predominantly known for its budget-friendly, no-frills vehicles has evolved into a global force that challenges established players with bold designs, advanced technology, and impressive reliability.
Kia’s rise reflects a broader trend in the industry where traditionally value-oriented automakers now compete head-to-head with premium brands, offering vehicles that combine style, performance, and innovation at accessible prices. Yet, this transformation has not been uniform across the entire Kia lineup.
While some models have garnered widespread acclaim and earned respect among critics and consumers alike, others still carry lingering reputational issues that impact how they are perceived on the road and in the marketplace.
This duality is at the heart of Kia’s ongoing story. On one side, models like the Telluride, Soul, Stinger, K5, and Sportage exemplify the brand’s commitment to quality, design, and driving enjoyment. These vehicles demonstrate Kia’s ability to break stereotypes and redefine what customers can expect from a Korean automaker.
They offer competitive performance, modern interiors, and a level of refinement that often exceeds their price point, helping Kia to win awards, gain loyal customers, and expand its footprint worldwide. These respected models also highlight Kia’s dedication to safety, reliability, and warranty support—critical factors that have helped shift consumer perceptions and elevate the brand.
On the flip side, there remain models that struggle to shake older reputations or simply fall short of the high standards Kia is now setting.
Cars like the Rio, early Forte and Sedona generations, the first Soul EV, and initial Kia Seltos models have faced criticism for issues ranging from uninspired design and underwhelming performance to build quality concerns and reliability hiccups.
These vehicles reflect the challenges Kia faces when balancing affordability with quality and innovation, especially in fiercely competitive segments. They remind us that not every Kia is created equal and that the brand’s rapid growth has sometimes outpaced consistent execution across its entire product range.
Understanding this split is essential for appreciating Kia’s broader trajectory and the complexities involved in reshaping a brand’s image in today’s automotive marketplace. It also highlights how consumer expectations have evolved. Buyers today demand not just affordability but also reliability, comfort, advanced technology, and styling that makes a statement.
Kia’s success with certain models shows it can meet or exceed these expectations, but the models that still get hate reveal areas where further progress is needed. These contrasts tell a story about risk, innovation, and the challenge of meeting diverse consumer needs across different market segments.
This article dives deep into that story by spotlighting five Kia models that have earned respect for their strong builds, innovation, and overall value, as well as five that still get hate due to various shortcomings or legacy issues.
By examining the strengths and weaknesses of these vehicles, we get a clearer picture of where Kia stands today, the strides it has made, and the hurdles it continues to face.
Whether you’re a Kia enthusiast, a potential buyer, or simply curious about the brand’s evolution, this balanced exploration provides insights into the vehicles that define Kia’s reputation and the lessons they offer for the future.
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5 Kias That Earn Respect
1. Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is undoubtedly a landmark vehicle for the brand and a shining example of how Kia has elevated itself from budget automaker to serious contender. Launched in 2019, the Telluride stepped boldly into the highly competitive midsize SUV segment dominated by stalwarts like the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Ford Explorer.
What set the Telluride apart wasn’t just its aggressive, muscular styling, but its ability to combine luxury-level features and space with an accessible price tag. From the outset, the Telluride won over critics and buyers alike with its generous interior dimensions, refined ride quality, and an impressive list of standard safety tech that usually came with a much higher price.
Underneath the Telluride’s confident exterior is a well-engineered powertrain built to deliver both smooth power delivery and reliable performance. The 3.8-liter V6 engine offers 291 horsepower, which is ample for a full-size SUV and makes merging, towing, and highway cruising effortless.
The engine pairs with a seamless eight-speed automatic transmission that manages shifts with precision, contributing to a composed driving experience. The Telluride’s chassis strikes an impressive balance between comfort and handling, absorbing bumps with ease while maintaining predictable steering and minimal body roll in corners.
For buyers who need capability, the available all-wheel-drive system provides added confidence in adverse weather or light off-road conditions, while the generous 5,000-pound towing capacity extends its utility beyond daily driving.
Inside, the Telluride’s cabin elevates the entire ownership experience, with design and materials that challenge many premium SUVs at double the price. The interior offers spacious three-row seating with enough room for adults even in the third row, a rarity in the midsize SUV segment.
Attention to detail is evident in the soft-touch surfaces, available Nappa leather upholstery, and an intuitive layout of controls and infotainment. Features such as a large touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, multiple USB ports, and an available 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system cater to tech-savvy families.
The Telluride also shines in practicality, boasting clever storage solutions, ambient lighting, and thoughtful touches like ventilated seats and rear-seat sunshades, ensuring passenger comfort on long trips.
Perhaps most importantly, the Telluride has earned a reputation for exceptional reliability and owner satisfaction. Unlike many newly launched SUVs that struggle with early quality issues, the Telluride was widely praised for its build quality and long-term durability right from the start. Kia backed it with one of the industry’s best warranties—a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain guarantee—giving buyers peace of mind.
Over time, owners report minimal unexpected repairs and low maintenance costs, which is rare for such a well-equipped, family-sized SUV. This combination of style, substance, and proven dependability makes the Kia Telluride not just a success story but a respected vehicle that has helped reshape public perception of Kia as a brand capable of crafting vehicles that truly earn respect.
2. Kia Soul
The Kia Soul has become one of the most recognizable models in Kia’s lineup thanks to its quirky, boxy design and surprisingly fun driving dynamics. Introduced in 2008, the Soul carved out a niche in the compact crossover segment by offering something genuinely different from the more cookie-cutter SUVs of the time.
It attracted buyers looking for practicality without sacrificing personality. Over the years, the Soul has evolved into a confident urban vehicle with a loyal fan base that appreciates its unique styling and versatile interior space.
Mechanically, the Soul’s platform and engine options have improved steadily over generations. Early models were criticized for underpowered engines and somewhat stiff ride quality, but later iterations addressed these issues with stronger four-cylinder engines and refined suspension tuning.
The latest Souls come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that balances fuel efficiency and adequate performance for city and highway driving.
An available turbocharged engine option adds a welcome boost of power for those wanting a peppier experience. Moreover, the Soul’s compact size and nimble handling make it ideal for maneuvering tight city streets and parking lots, without compromising ride comfort.
Inside, the Soul offers a surprisingly spacious and thoughtfully designed cabin that maximizes passenger and cargo space. The high roofline creates ample headroom, and the tall windows provide excellent outward visibility, making the driving experience less claustrophobic than many other compact vehicles.
Kia has continually upgraded the Soul’s interior materials, ensuring that even base trims feel modern and well put together. Infotainment features, including large touchscreens, smartphone integration, and available premium audio systems, cater well to tech-savvy drivers. Practical touches like sliding rear seats and a flat-folding rear bench make the Soul remarkably versatile for hauling gear or accommodating passengers.
Reliability and ownership satisfaction have been strong points for the Soul, especially with newer models. Kia’s industry-leading warranty coverage gives peace of mind to owners, and many report that their Souls hold up well over time with minimal mechanical issues.
The Soul’s blend of unique style, practicality, and dependable performance has helped it become a favorite among younger buyers, city dwellers, and small families. Its success proves that Kia can innovate not just with technology but with design that resonates emotionally, earning the Soul well-deserved respect in a crowded market.
3. Kia Stinger
The Kia Stinger is arguably the most ambitious and game-changing car Kia has ever produced. Launched in 2017, the Stinger shocked the automotive world by showing that Kia could create a true performance sedan that competes with established European luxury brands.
Sporting aggressive, sleek styling and a rear-wheel-drive architecture, the Stinger was designed to appeal to driving enthusiasts who demand speed, handling, and refinement without paying exorbitant luxury prices. It was a statement vehicle signaling Kia’s arrival on the global performance stage.
Under the hood, the Stinger offers powerful engine options, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a much more thrilling 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 that produces up to 365 horsepower. These engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering swift, confident acceleration and responsive power delivery.
The rear-wheel-drive setup (with optional all-wheel drive) provides excellent driving dynamics, with sharp steering feedback and impressive cornering abilities. For a brand once pigeonholeed as a budget maker, the Stinger’s driving performance has been lauded for bringing a genuine thrill and engagement.
The Stinger’s interior also elevates Kia’s reputation for value and design. The cabin features high-quality materials such as soft-touch plastics, leather upholstery, and optional aluminum accents that give it a premium feel. Seating is supportive and comfortable, with ample space for both front and rear passengers.
The infotainment system is modern and user-friendly, including smartphone integration and a large touchscreen. Features like a head-up display, wireless charging, and driver assistance technologies round out the package, creating a car that feels luxurious without the premium brand price tag.
While the Stinger is not perfect—it carries a higher price point and has had some reported minor reliability issues—it remains a remarkable achievement for Kia. Its blend of performance, style, and technology has earned praise from critics and consumers, proving Kia can compete beyond the economy segment.
The Stinger is respected for defying expectations and raising the bar for what a Kia can be—a sports sedan with soul, capability, and genuine character.
4. Kia K5
The Kia K5, introduced in 2020 as the successor to the Optima, represents Kia’s commitment to blending style, technology, and value in the midsize sedan segment. It arrived at a time when sedans were increasingly losing ground to SUVs, yet Kia managed to make the K5 stand out with aggressive, coupe-like styling that turns heads.
Its bold grille, sleek silhouette, and sculpted lines give the K5 a distinctly sporty character that many competitors lack. This visual confidence is backed by solid performance and technology features that help the K5 compete in a crowded market.
Powertrain options on the K5 include a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder base engine that delivers respectable power and excellent fuel efficiency, plus a more spirited 2.5-liter turbocharged engine for the GT trim that cranks out 290 horsepower.
The engines are paired with a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission, offering both responsive acceleration and efficient cruising. The handling dynamics are also well-tuned for a midsize sedan, with precise steering and a composed ride that balances comfort and sportiness, making daily commuting and weekend drives equally enjoyable.
Inside, the K5 impresses with a modern, driver-focused cabin that combines high-quality materials, spacious seating, and user-friendly technology. The dashboard features a large touchscreen infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus an available premium Bose audio system.
Kia’s emphasis on safety is evident with a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The K5’s interior quality and tech offerings punch above the price class, which has been a significant factor in earning respect from critics and buyers.
Reliability and ownership experience with the K5 have been solid so far, reflecting Kia’s overall improvement in build quality and long-term durability. The K5 continues to attract buyers who want an affordable yet upscale sedan experience, especially those who value bold styling and technology over badge prestige. In a segment filled with safe, sometimes bland options, the Kia K5 stands out as a confident, capable choice worthy of respect.
5. Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage has been a staple of Kia’s lineup for decades, and in many ways, it laid the groundwork for the brand’s current SUV success. Known for its compact size, versatility, and approachable price, the Sportage offers a well-rounded package for urban drivers and small families.
Over multiple generations, Kia has continuously refined the Sportage, turning it into a vehicle that can confidently compete with segment leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Its blend of style, functionality, and value makes it one of Kia’s most respected offerings worldwide.
The latest Sportage models boast refined engine options, including a capable 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and turbocharged variants, paired with smooth automatic transmissions. The ride quality has improved significantly, with a suspension setup that strikes a good balance between comfort and handling agility.
For daily commuting and weekend getaways alike, the Sportage delivers a driving experience that is predictable, composed, and confidence-inspiring. Fuel economy ratings are competitive, making it an economical choice for many buyers.
Inside, the Sportage provides a comfortable and ergonomic cabin layout with quality materials that feel a step above entry-level competitors. The infotainment system features responsive touchscreens, smartphone compatibility, and available premium audio.
Thoughtful touches such as spacious seating, a well-designed center console, and multiple USB ports make it practical for everyday use. Safety technology is plentiful, with many advanced features standard or available, ensuring driver and passenger protection.
The Sportage’s strong points extend to reliability and owner satisfaction. Kia’s warranty coverage and continued improvements in build quality have made the Sportage a dependable choice in the compact SUV class.
Many owners praise its low cost of ownership and ease of maintenance. Its consistent presence on sales charts and positive reviews speak to the respect the Sportage commands as a vehicle that delivers solid value without major compromises.
5 Kias That Still Get Hate
1. Kia Rio
The Kia Rio is one of the brand’s entry-level offerings and, unfortunately, it often draws criticism for being underpowered, uninspired, and sometimes problematic in build quality. While the Rio was designed as an affordable subcompact car catering to budget-conscious buyers and first-time drivers, many find it lacking in excitement or refinement compared to rivals.
Its styling tends to feel bland or dated, and the interior materials often don’t match up to competitors like the Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris, which offer more engaging cabins. The Rio’s position at the bottom of Kia’s lineup means it suffers from compromises in materials and features, making it feel like a “budget car” in the least flattering sense.
Performance is another area where the Rio struggles to impress. Its small engines—usually a 1.6-liter four-cylinder—deliver modest horsepower that can feel sluggish, particularly on highways or steep inclines. The handling is often described as uninspired, with numb steering and a suspension that prioritizes cost savings over comfort or agility.
In many reviews and owner forums, the Rio is criticized for feeling like a “last resort” vehicle rather than a first choice. While fuel economy is decent, the driving experience itself leaves many feeling underwhelmed.
Reliability and build quality issues have also haunted the Rio. Owners frequently report minor but persistent problems, including rattles, interior wear, and occasional mechanical hiccups.
Although Kia’s warranty coverage provides some peace of mind, the Rio has not shaken off its reputation for needing frequent repairs or maintenance beyond what might be expected in this segment.
Additionally, the resale value tends to be low, partly due to the market’s perception of it as a cheap, disposable car rather than a long-term investment.
The Rio’s reception is a reminder that Kia’s push upmarket has not fully reached its base models yet. While the brand’s SUVs and midsize sedans earn accolades, the Rio still carries the baggage of Kia’s earlier, less refined era.
For buyers wanting a small, budget-friendly car with some personality and dependability, the Rio is often not the first pick. Its flaws keep it in the shadow of competitors and prevent it from earning the respect Kia’s newer models have achieved.
2. Kia Forte (Earlier Generations)
The Kia Forte is often praised today for offering a strong value proposition in the compact sedan segment, but its earlier generations faced a fair amount of skepticism and criticism.
When first introduced, the Forte was seen as a lower-tier alternative to more established compact cars like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, which set high bars for reliability, refinement, and driving enjoyment. Early Fortes struggled with interior quality issues, mediocre performance, and a sometimes noisy cabin, all of which contributed to a less-than-stellar reputation.
One of the biggest sources of hate toward early Forte models comes from reported reliability problems. Many owners reported issues ranging from electrical gremlins to transmission glitches and engine hiccups, especially in the first few model years.
These problems led to numerous recalls and service campaigns, which tarnished the Forte’s image and made it a less attractive option in a segment where dependability is key. While Kia’s warranty helped cushion the blow for some owners, the lingering perception of “cheap and problematic” has dogged early Fortes in used car markets.
The driving experience of early Fortes was another sticking point. The engines were generally adequate but not exciting, and the suspension tuning leaned toward budget comfort rather than engaging dynamics. The steering was often criticized as vague, and the overall ride quality was sometimes harsh over rough roads.
This lack of refinement made the Forte feel like a less polished product compared to competitors that focused more on driver involvement and interior quality, such as the Mazda3 or Hyundai Elantra.
While recent Forte models have improved dramatically, shedding many of these issues, the early generations still get dragged down by their past reputation.
In buyer forums and used car reviews, the Forte is sometimes lumped together with cheaper, less reliable vehicles. This historical baggage impacts resale value and public perception, making it one of the more divisive Kias despite the brand’s overall progress.
3. Kia Sedona (Earlier Generations)
Kia’s Sedona minivan, now renamed the Carnival in recent years, has struggled for respect in many markets, especially in its earlier iterations.
The minivan segment itself is notoriously tough, dominated by long-established players like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna, and the Sedona often failed to match their benchmarks for refinement, reliability, and feature content. Many consumers viewed the Sedona as a budget option with compromises in build quality, comfort, and powertrain performance.
Early Sedonas were criticized for their underwhelming V6 engines, which sometimes felt strained when the van was fully loaded with passengers and cargo. The transmission choices also left some owners frustrated due to occasional rough shifts or delayed responsiveness.
Ride quality could be uneven, with a suspension setup that prioritized cost-saving over comfort, making longer journeys less enjoyable for families. These shortcomings combined to create a vehicle that didn’t inspire confidence or enthusiasm, particularly when compared to the polished offerings from Honda and Toyota.
Interior quality was another area where the Sedona lagged. While roomy and practical, many early models had interiors that felt cheap or poorly put together, with lower-grade plastics and less attention to detail in trim and finishes. The infotainment systems were often outdated or clunky, and advanced driver safety features were limited or absent in earlier models.
These deficits affected the overall ownership experience, reducing Sedona’s appeal among families looking for a reliable, comfortable people mover.
Moreover, Sedona’s resale value suffered greatly because of these factors. It was not uncommon to see used Sedonas heavily discounted due to concerns about reliability and long-term durability.
The minivan segment is highly competitive, and the Sedona’s early flaws ensured it was often overlooked or disparaged in favor of more trusted options. Only with recent rebranding and significant upgrades under the Carnival name has Kia begun to shake this legacy.
4. Kia Soul EV (Earlier Versions)
The Kia Soul EV, while an important step for Kia in the electric vehicle market, received mixed reviews that still linger in public perception. Early versions of the Soul EV were praised for their funky styling and surprisingly roomy interior for an electric vehicle, but the car’s limitations in range and performance made it a tough sell for many buyers, especially as competing EVs began to push the envelope.
One of the most common complaints about early Soul EVs was their limited electric range, which was generally under 100 miles on a full charge. This range anxiety made the vehicle impractical for longer commutes or weekend trips, especially as the charging infrastructure was still developing.
While it suited urban drivers with short daily travel, the limitations constrained its broader appeal. Furthermore, the Soul EV’s battery technology and efficiency were not as advanced as those found in some rival EVs, leading critics to view it as an early-generation electric car that had not yet matured.
Charging speed was another pain point. Early Soul EVs often took longer to charge than newer models or competitors, and many drivers found the slow charging times frustrating. The limited availability of fast-charging stations in certain regions exacerbated this issue. These factors combined to give the Soul EV a reputation as a practical but somewhat compromised electric vehicle.
Additionally, some early Soul EV owners reported software glitches, infotainment quirks, and minor mechanical issues that detracted from the overall ownership experience. Although Kia has improved the EV with successive generations and improved battery technology, the early Soul EV models still receive criticism for falling short of modern EV standards.
Their place in Kia’s lineup is important historically, but they remain one of the more divisive models due to their early limitations.
5. Kia Seltos (Early Production Years)
The Kia Seltos arrived as a new compact SUV aiming to compete with the likes of the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, and Hyundai Kona. While the Seltos quickly gained popularity, especially for its value and styling, its early production models were marred by quality control issues that frustrated buyers and critics alike.
These initial hiccups have led to lingering skepticism and sometimes outright dislike from certain segments of the buying public. Among the primary complaints were inconsistent build quality, including misaligned body panels, paint defects, and interior trim issues.
Some owners reported rattles and squeaks emerging soon after purchase, which diminished the perception of Kia’s improving fit and finish standards. Such problems are especially damaging for a brand trying to position the Seltos as a premium-feeling compact SUV in a highly competitive segment.
Mechanical and electrical glitches also cropped up in the early Seltos. Some owners faced issues with infotainment freezes, unexpected warning lights, and even transmission hesitation or rough shifting.
Although many of these issues were resolved through recalls or dealer fixes, the early negative impressions stuck with customers and reviewers. Reliability is paramount in this segment, and early Seltos models occasionally failed to meet those expectations.
Despite these early struggles, Kia quickly addressed many problems in subsequent model years, improving quality control and reliability. However, the shadow of those initial flaws means the Seltos still carries some unwarranted negativity in certain circles.
While later models have earned praise for style, value, and performance, the early production years have become a sticking point for some critics and buyers, preventing it from earning universal respect.
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Kia’s journey from a budget-conscious automaker to a respected global brand is a compelling tale of transformation, ambition, and adaptation. The vehicles that earn respect, such as the Telluride, Soul, Stinger, K5, and Sportage, exemplify the brand’s success in reinventing itself.
These models showcase Kia’s ability to deliver quality, performance, and design that rivals or even surpasses more established competitors, often at a better price point.
Their positive reception is a testament to the brand’s investments in engineering, innovation, and customer experience. They represent the new face of Kia—one that is bold, reliable, and highly competitive in today’s crowded automotive landscape.
At the same time, the models that still get hate—the Rio, early Forte and Sedona generations, early Soul EV, and initial Seltos—serve as important reminders of the challenges Kia continues to face.
These vehicles highlight how difficult it is to overhaul public perception once a reputation is set, especially in segments where expectations for refinement, reliability, and technology are extremely high.
Many of these models reflect a period when Kia was still finding its footing or experimenting with new technologies and designs. While some issues have been resolved in later generations, the lingering negative perceptions can impact resale values, consumer trust, and overall brand image.
The contrast between Kia’s revered and reviled vehicles underscores a broader truth in the automotive world: no brand, no matter how ambitious or well-funded, can excel uniformly across all models and markets. Success requires continuous improvement, responsiveness to consumer feedback, and the willingness to learn from past mistakes.
Kia has demonstrated this capacity through its rapid progress and willingness to invest in new technologies, design philosophies, and quality control. Its industry-leading warranties and strong dealer networks further support its commitment to customer satisfaction and peace of mind.
Looking ahead, Kia’s future appears bright, but sustaining momentum will depend on its ability to continue refining even its least popular models and expanding the strengths of its most respected ones. The lessons from both sides of the spectrum are invaluable: they reveal what works, what doesn’t, and where opportunity lies.
Kia’s story is far from finished, and as it pushes deeper into electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and global markets, the balance between models that earn respect and those that still get hate will remain a key measure of its success.
For consumers, Kia offers an evolving portfolio that now caters to a wide range of preferences and budgets. It has proven it can deliver vehicles that not only get the job done but also inspire loyalty and admiration.
At the same time, buyers must be discerning, understanding which Kia models have truly matured and which still bear the marks of the brand’s growing pains. This nuanced view empowers consumers to make informed decisions and helps Kia focus on building a future where all its models consistently earn respect.
In summary, Kia’s dual narrative of triumphs and trials enriches its identity and fuels its growth. The brand has proven it can make vehicles that stand proudly alongside competitors, while also acknowledging there is room to improve.
The respect Kia has earned from many of its models should serve as motivation, while the ongoing criticism of others highlights the work yet to be done. Together, these facets paint a vibrant picture of a brand in evolution—dynamic, ambitious, and ready to continue reshaping the automotive landscape.
