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In the pantheon of automakers, Kia doesn’t immediately come to mind as a desirable brand. Buyers would rather hop over to the Lexus, Audi or BMW dealership than consider an older Kia. Whilst nowadays, its styling has changed radically, and its new EV models are winning awards, it was not that long ago that an old Kia quickly became the hot potato nobody wanted to catch.

But if you are willing to sacrifice a bit of brand cachet – especially if it’s an older Kia – there’s still a lot of good value to be had when buying a used, two- to four-year-old Kia. That’s why we’ve scoured the internet to see which older models still offer good value, but also a good drive, for you to put a couple of names in the Worth a Second Look bracket.

11 2020 Kia Stinger

JD Power Quality & Reliability Rating: 74

Here’s one that doesn’t strictly fit the mold of “most reliable”. But we include it here, because who doesn’t want a used sports car? It was the era of the coupe-style sports sedan – powerful family cars with sloping, coupe-like rooflines that hid their four doors, and plenty of punch to provide the kind of performance their looks promised. The Germans had the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the Audi A7, and the BMW 6-series Gran Coupe. And then the Koreans replied with a missile of their own, the Stinger.

The basic GT Line model had a rather subdued 2.0-liter-turbo (255 hp, 260 lb-ft). But the one you really wanted was the GT AWD with its aluminum 3.3-liter-V6 and two turbos bolted on. Power was sent to all four paws, and when you put your foot down you could count on only 4.7 seconds for the 60 mph mark to be reached.

The Stinger provides a combination of ample rear-seat room where two adults can get comfortable, plus a decent load bay in the back. For much less than a German performance sedan, you could get a twin-turbo-V6 with adaptive suspension and sub-five-second 0-60 sprint. Not bad at all.

10 2022 Kia Carnival

JD Power Rating: 75

As of 2022, Kia has replaced its big Sedona with the modern-styled Carnival in its lineup. It’s still a big van, and now boasts 8 seats which is a boon in this segment of people carriers – even though that last row of seats is more suitable for teenagers than fully grown adults. In its 2022 ratings of minivans JD Powers rated the Kia Carnival as 3rd in customer satisfaction, only slightly behind the Toyota Sienna (77) and Honda Odyssey (81). The van’s driveability really stood out for owners.

We like the powerful 3.5-liter-V6 which provides for a smooth, easygoing drive. The in-house designed 8-speed box never hunts for a gear and the changes are quick and easy. Just keep a look on the consumption figure, as the big V6 do like to get thirsty once the van is loaded up.

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9 2021 Kia Sedona

JD Power Rating: 79

Here’s a curveball. Why not opt for the last-year model of the Sedona family? The Carnival replaced the Sedona in 2022, making the 2021 model the run out year for this big family MPV. Sure, the design looks a bit dated by now, but the cabin was still well appointed with comfort features, like the slideable second row of seats, the three seats in the third row with reclining backrests, and the cordless charging pad for your smartphone. The Sedona was also available with collision avoidance and headlights that would follow the road ahead if you drove around a corner.

One thing to remember though, is that the Sedona came with the previous V6 of only 3.3-liter, not the 3.5-liter of the current Carnival. Power is down therefore.

8 2023 Kia Sorento

JD Power Rating: 81

This was again a runout year for a major model in the Kia product lineup. In 2024, Kia introduced a new generation of Sorento to the market, making the 2023 version a sought after clever buy for those in the know. Previous years’ styling may look a bit old-fashioned, but by 2023 Kia knew what was coming with the new model, so incorporated a couple of new features into the facelift. Just look at the vertical daytime running lights on the front corners, and the vertically aligned brake lights at the back.

Entry models came with the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter for 191 hp and 195 lb-ft, but you’d rather want the turbocharged version for a better towing experience (3 500 pounds vs 2 000 pounds for the n/a engine) and zippier drive in town.

7 2022 Kia Seltos

JD Power Rating: 82

The Kia Seltos is an honest, value for money subcompact for younger families. Maybe not the best styled on the car par – compared to the Seltos the Toyota C-HR looks rather futuristic – but just look at that JD Power rating of 82: owners are really satisfied with their compact runabouts.

Its strongest point is possibly the roomy interior. You’ll find 26.6 cubic inches of space behind the rear seats, and fold them down, you’ll open up 62.8 cubic inches. That’s more than a handful of compact SUVs can muster.

A downside though is the 2.0-liter-inline-4 used in the entry level models. With only 146 hp and 132 lbs-ft sent to the front wheels, the cheapest Seltos models struggle for power and return bad consumption figures when driven sprightly. The good news though, is there is a 1.6-liter turbo available on top-spec models. Better performance, and more miles per tank.

6 2023 Kia Sportage

JD Power Ranking: 83

Our favorite current Kia is the beautiful subcompact, the Sportage. With its angular lines and redesigned body, it not only looks great, but now also offers a more spacious cabin and bigger rear-legroom. Standard trim and driver-assist features has been upgraded as well for 2023 models, now featuring items like lane-keep assist and front collision warning.

We like the stylish, modern interior with easy to use touchscreen and flat gear selector. Another practical plus point is the low floor of the load bay. One thing to keep in mind though is that there’s only one gas engine to choose from, the underpowered 2.5-liter. One thing, if you’d like more power, you’d have to go the hybrid route.

5 2020 Kia Optima

JD Power Ranking: 85

As the 2020 model Optima was the last before it was phased out, this elegant and stylish family sedan makes for great value today. We really like the big Kia’s sleek design, and the roomy interior and generous trunk space. But be beware, of the three engines available back in the day, a base 2.4-liter naturally aspirated engine, a 1.6-liter-turbo and a 2.0-liter-turbo, you really want the charged 2.0-liter for decent acceleration, overtaking ability and all-round smoothness of efficiency.

Even with the biggest turbo engine, the ride was more smooth and gentle than sporty and exhilarating. That said, you’d appreciate the Optima’s long list of features, like heated seats and steering, and eight way adjustable seating for the driver.

4 2022 Kia Rio

JD Power Rating: 86

The little Kia Rio must be one of the most underrated subcompacts Stateside. It’s small, nimble, looks stunning and is easy to drive, especially in town. It’s also practical as a daily driver. We like the easy-to-use touchscreen and decent cargo space in the rear. The one thing the Rio lacks, though, is the same level of safety features its top competitors have – like lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control on the Honda Fit.

Skip the lower spec models as they don’t offer the split rear seatback and more powerful four-cylinder engine.

3 2022 Kia Forte

JD Power Rating: 87

Kia’s compact sedan may not be the flashiest model out there, but owners rate it high in terms of quality and reliability, and the driving experience – giving it a good score of 82 on JD Power, and ranked just below the Nissan Sentra and Mini Clubman. But, importantly, it’s ranked by owners above perennial performers, the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

Skip the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter-engine and go straight for the more powerful, and frugal, 1.6-liter-turbo. The cabin is spacious and quiet, and the trunk is sizeable. For an unassuming little city runabout, that’s also practical and great value for money, the Forte can hold the fort.

2 2022 Kia Soul

JD Power Rating: 87

We just love the quirkiness of the Kia Soul. Maybe not to everyone’s taste, but as a compact and fun city runabout runaway, the Soul makes both a style and a practical statement. In fact, JD Power scores the Soul 87 points for quality and reliability.

The odd, boxy design allows for rear passengers to get easier access to the rear seats, whilst also providing ample headroom in the back. That big C-pillar though can be in the way if you want to reverse and not use the rearview camera. Practical features include a rear-seat alarm and keyless entry, whilst a rearview camera and touchscreen became standard across the range.

As with other Kias, you could have the base models with a naturally aspirated engine (2.0-liter, in the Soul’s case) or a turbocharged 1.6-liter. While we would usually opt for the more powerful turbo engine, in this case the compact size of the car makes the difference negligible.

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Sources:
Kia
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EPA
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JD Power