, Kia is South Korea’s second-largest automobile manufacturer. Stemming from Sino-Korean characters that mean “to arise”, Kia was founded in1944 as a company that manufactured steel tubing and bicycle parts. The company eventually produced Korea’s first domestic bicycle.

After changing its name to the Kia we know and love today, the company first built and licensed

Honda

small motorcycles before opening its first assembly plant in 1973. Since then, they’ve churned out a number of vehicles that are favorites of drivers today. So on that note, let’s dive into 10 Kia vehicles you should know about.

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, the

super app

for

car insurance

, has created a guide to all the best Kias that were, and are still being, produced. Whether you’re in the market for a Kia because you like reliability, or you want to know more about some of these vehicles, we are here to break it down.

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What makes an old car great?

We all love old cars. They remind us of those halcyon days when we had nothing more important to do than wake up late on summer vacation and hang out with friends. The cars our parents drove us in seem to capture those memories perfectly. That’s why we are so attracted to older cars: they help us relive past lives.

At Kia, their older cars are known the world over for reliability and sensibility, two descriptive terms that any company would be happy with how their products are described.

What follows is a list of the most noteworthy Kia cars of all time. Following in the footsteps of the original bicycle manufacturer, these vehicles are trustworthy and built to stand the test of time.

MORE:

Are Kias good cars?

9. Kia Sorento (2002-present): a solid choice

The

Sorento

is probably the most recognized SUV Kia builds, if only because it is seemingly everywhere.

This vehicle lives up to the hype, while a lot of other SUVs in this segment are just for show. With five trim levels, the Sorento of today has a lot to offer. But the Sorento of the past is just as popular with used car buyers.

With advanced safety features built in, it’s ideal for families. And the 28 mpg on the highway that accompanies the 2017 model means your dollar will go a long way.

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8. Kia Soul (2008-present): one only a mother could love

You won’t find the

Soul

on any lists of the best-looking cars, but looks are not its strong suit. It’s roomier than it looks, which means you can squeeze in a family without a problem. And you can keep that family safe with high safety ratings.

The overall impression is that it just gets the job done, which is about as much as you can ask for when you’re searching for a reliable used vehicle that, by the way, gets about 30 mpg on the highway.

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7. Kia Forte (2008-present): basic luxury

The

Forte

just seems like a Kia, you know? It’s categorized as a compact car but has the look and feel of something you would find from a luxury brand.

It has also been named the Best Compact Car for the Money by U.S. News & World Report, which is the type of award that always bodes well for resale value.

The base-level model contains many of the options that make the Kia so great, so you don’t have to spend too much money if you want to get the best the company has to offer. But by doing so, you can gain more power, if you’re into that. Combine all of it with an interior that defines comfort, and you can’t go wrong with this car.

MORE:

How long do Kias last?

6. Kia Optima (2000-2021):

The

Optima

you know and love is no longer, but in its place comes a car called a K5 that is everything everyone loved about the Optima, albeit with a different name.

While the K5 is updated for a more modern audience, those who are looking for a used car can do worse than the Optima. The closer you get to the current generations, the better off you are, too.

There were some engine issues with Optimas built before 2016, but the newer models don’t seem to be afflicted with those same problems. And just like when a new Playstation or Xbox hits the market, the older consoles are generally sold for a cheaper price. With the K5 hitting the road, you can expect to find more affordable Optimas.

MORE:

How to build a custom Kia Optima LX V6

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5. Kia Stinger (2017-present): a sharp ride

The

Stinger

traces its roots back all the way to the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, but it didn’t go into official production until the 2017 model year. During that six-year span, a version of it made sporadic appearances at other shows until we finally had one we could drive.

It’s advertised as being more powerful than the cars built by

BMW

Audi

, and

Porsche

, and some experts consider the Stinger the best car Kia has ever built. Brembo brakes, which are considered unbeatable by many drivers, also come equipped in this car, as well as Michelin tires, which are some of the best available.

While this might not be considered a family vehicle when you’re looking for a carpool ride, it would be pretty neat to pull up in this every morning to drop off your kids.

4. Kia Cadenza (2009-2021): this is fine

The word “competent” is not considered the most glowing way to talk about a car. But it is what it is, and that “it” is the

Kia Cadenza

, a car defined by many to be reasonable compared to the

Chevrolet Impala

and

Toyota Avalon

Fuel efficient it was not, but updates to the vehicle improved that number over time. However, those updates tended to make the car perform worse.

With that in mind, you can find affordable Cadenzas since there is not a lot of demand for this luxury sedan. It might not turn heads, but it also won’t damage your bank account.

MORE:

How to get a Kia car loan

3. Kia Sportage (1993-present): top safety pick

When you are looking for an affordable, used compact SUV, the

Sportage

is the vehicle for you. It has been in production for nearly three decades and it looks like Kia has no plans to do anything to change that anytime soon as world sales numbers continue to move steadily along.

Insurance prices shouldn’t break the bank, either, as this vehicle has been named one of the most reliable vehicles by Consumer Reports in 2009. That same year, it was listed as one of the least expensive vehicles to insure. More than a decade later, it continues to be touted for its safety record and design.

Among used cars, this tends to fly off the shelves, so get one while you can.

2. Kia Niro (2016-present): record-breaking

You wouldn’t know it if you pulled up next to a

Niro EV

, but this is an electric vehicle designed to not look like an EV.

Not all Niro EVs are created equal, however. You can also choose from a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or battery electric. Either way, you’re going to like what you get.

This is also the only vehicle on our list to have a place in the Guinness Book of World Records, as it holds the title for lowest fuel consumption by a hybrid vehicle when it traveled from

Los Angeles

New York City

with a fuel consumption record of 76.6 mpg.

While you might not be preparing to travel cross-country in your Niro, it’s nice to know that you could if you really wanted to, isn’t it?

1. Kia Sephia (1992-2003):

The

Sephia

never really caught on in any of the markets where it was introduced, which is why there are so few of them available on the used market today. And the Sephias you do find are going to run a bit higher than you want to pay.

Due to its rarity, insurance rates are going to differ, even though compact cars generally don’t cost too much to insure. To this day, the Sephia lives on as taxis on the streets of Colombia. We’re not sure if they are insured or not.

How to find cheap Kia insurance

Kias remain one of the most popular brands on the used car market, specifically for all of the reasons we’ve listed above: reliability, dependability, and safety. And when those words are used to describe the car you drive, insurance companies are going to give you better rates. With both of those thoughts in mind, it’s no wonder that Kia is a popular brand for those who want the peace of mind of knowing they have a car that is built to last.

When you buy a Kia, you need to insure it. Whether you want something to match the fire of the Stinger or a more subdued approach for the Sportage, the

Jerry

app has what you need.

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Once you’ve chosen your quote, Jerry’s team of experts will walk you through the quickest

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