Kia Cars with All-Wheel Drive (11 Models: New & Used)
Kia is a grown-up car manufacturer, transitioning successfully from merely making budget-friendly cars to competitive yet value-for-money near-luxury vehicles.
Adding all-wheel drive to the following Kia vehicles as standard or an option further cements the Korean marque’s status as the go-to biggest-bang-for-your-money automaker.
Do Kia Cars Have All-Wheel Drive?
Although the carmaker is a relative newcomer, it has been offering AWD cars for over a decade.
Kia has had several all-wheel-drive SUVs since 2011 and has equipped its newer sedans and electric vehicles with the traction-enhancement system.
Although the Korean marque has the most number of mainstream AWD vehicles, the following automakers have nearly as many for your selection:
Kia Sedans with AWD
#1 Kia K5
The K5 replaced the Optima when Kia introduced it in 2021.
Not all Kia K5 models are all-wheel drives, but the automaker has made AWD an option since 2021.
Although the model name, K5, is unconventional, this midsize sedan from Kia has surprisingly many strong suits that make it a contender for the best in class, like:
- Strong yet efficient engine.
- Thoughtfully designed interior.
- Impressively quiet and supremely comfortable ride.
#2 Kia Stinger
The Stinger stands unique from the rest of Kia sedans; it is a sporty sedan with sleek styling and has a coupe body with the utility of an SUV.
Not all Kia Stingers have AWD that sends power to all four wheels, but the system is available as an option from the first-generation Stinger. The rear-wheel-drive option is equally top quality.
Both versions have quick and precise steering, making the Stinger a joy to drive.
Kia enjoys an advantage over rival makes like Honda and Hyundai – both do not have AWD sedans – although the following alternatives are worth checking out:
Hyundai SUVs with AWD
#3 Kia Seltos
Seltos isn’t the smallest in the Kia family, but it’s still a subcompact SUV with abundant cargo space and an upscale interior that warrant attention.
While class rivals like the Volkswagen Taos and Mazda CX-30 have optional AWD, all Kia Seltos trim levels come with standard all-wheel drive, an added value for a little SUV.
Still, the smaller but non-AWD Kia Soul and the slightly larger AWD-shod Kia Sportage (next on the list) hold a small edge over the Seltos in overall appeal and are worth considering.
#4 Kia Sportage
In an ultra-competitive field dominated by Honda, Toyota, and Mazda, the Kia Sportage makes a compelling case with its aggressive exterior styling, high-quality interior, and spacious interior and cargo area.
Not all Kia Sportages have the wet-weather-capable AWD system, but the Korean marque has offered it as optional equipment since 2011.
Pre-2011 Kia Sportage model years have an optional four-wheel drive (4WD) instead.
To sweeten the deal, AWD Sportage has about an inch more ground clearance than the FWD Sportage for enhanced off-road ability.
Kia Sportage is one of the few small SUVs that offer gasoline-only, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
#5 Kia Sportage Hybrid
Sportage Hybrid debuted in 2023 and offered buyers of the compact SUV a near-40 mpg average with the AWD and a few mpg more in the FWD model.
The Sportage Hybrid’s ride comfort remains a strong selling point compared to others in the segment.
#6 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
This plug-in hybrid (PHEV) appeared alongside the hybrid variant.
Unlike the Sportage Hybrid, however, all-wheel drive is standard in the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid.
With an electric-only range of around 30-plus miles, the Sportage PHEV is worth the extra outlay for the possibility of going gasoline-free in short-distance driving.
#7 Kia Sorento
If you want a compact SUV with three rows of seats to accommodate the extra occupants, the Kia Sorento is a strong pick.
Although the three-row compact class sees relatively less competition, the Sorento remains a worthy purchase with its compelling mix of performance, quality, and utility.
Not all Kia Sorentos are all-wheel-drive models; however, new and used car buyers can opt for the AWD system in the 2011 or newer Sorento.
The third row is as spacious as the front two rows, making Sorento’s seven-seater design more achievable than the competition.
#8 Kia Sorento Hybrid
Like its smaller stablemate, the Sportage, the Sorento has a hybrid and a plug-in version (next on the list) to satisfy different powertrain needs.
The Sorento Hybrid did not offer an AWD variant when it debuted in 2021, but subsequent model years do.
#9 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
All Kia Sorento plug-in hybrids have all-wheel drive, making shopper selection straightforward.
#10 Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride shares a close relationship with the equivalent Hyundai model in design and AWD equipment.
All Kia Telluride models and trim levels have optional all-wheel drive beginning in 2020.
More crucially, Kia Telluride is an impressive three-row midsize SUV with big pluses:
- Premium interior and a luxuriously quiet ride.
- Strong powertrain.
- Unbeatable value with Kia’s feature-rich offering and long warranty.
- Generous storage area behind the final row.
Kia’s midsize SUV is almost as luxurious as the following premium ones:
Kia Electric Vehicle with AWD
#11 Kia EV6
As more automakers commence their electric car venture, the EV6 is Kia’s first but also one of the best-looking EVs.
Besides the sleek styling and ample interior room, all-wheel drive is optional in the Kia EV6, with rear-wheel drive the other choice; both are a blast to drive with strong acceleration and sharp steering.
Is Kia AWD Good?
As a company, Kia has been climbing the reliability chart as the automaker progresses in its bid to make higher-quality, more-luxurious products.
Apart from isolated cases of rear differential failure in the third-generation AWD Sorento (2016-2020), Hyundai’s all-wheel-drive system has shown remarkable reliability.
According to Consumer Reports, Kia’s more reliable models with AWD include:
- Kia EV6.
- Kia K5.
- Kia Sportage.
- Kia Seltos.
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