First-Time Buyers Should Give These Budget-Friendly Kia's Some Consideration
Kia as we know it has been around since the 90s (when they first became the Kia Motors Corporation), and while it’s never become a prestige brand in that time, the folks there have provided no shortage of solid and reliable vehicles, including SUVs, many of which make for great first vehicles.
2020 Kia Sonet
The Sonet launched globally in 2020, allowing many first-time buyers the chance at driving a modern compact SUV that didn’t cost them an arm and a leg. The Sonet provides great value for money with its stellar fuel efficiency and excellent functionality, though higher-level trims typically have more features.
2019 Kia Seltos
Arriving a year before the Sonet, the 2019 Kia Seltos may actually be the better option, if you’re willing to pay just a little bit more, that is. For the extra cost, you get more space, more features, and greater resale value, though the larger engine will also demand more fuel.
2010 Kia Soul
One of Kia’s most enduring models, the Soul is a boxy crossover that you can easily get your hands on for a low price. Its more angular design makes it stand out from other models, and it’s pretty comfortable to boot, but don’t expect it to offer a particularly thrilling driving experience.
2005 Kia Sportage
2005’s Kia Sportage was a big hit, and the nameplate has managed to survive to this day. Older models tend to be extremely affordable, particularly if you’re buying second-hand, while still offering loads of space and a pleasant driving experience, but diesel and turbo variants will demand extra maintenance.
2009 Kia Sorento
The Sorento nameplate has been around since 2002, proving to be one of Kia’s most enduring models. 2009 gave it a much-needed facelift, and its huge size makes it great for large families. Of course, the added weight does mean it will require much more in the way of fuel.
2020 Kia Sorento Hybrid
While earlier models will generally be cheaper upfront, we recommend going for a 2020 Sorento, since its hybrid drivetrain allows for much greater fuel efficiency (and ultimately, greater savings).
2023 Kia EV5
The 2023 EV5 is a fairly recent model, which also pretty much guarantees it to be much more expensive upfront than some of the other Kia’s we’ve already covered. However, as an electric vehicle, you’ll save a lot in terms of fuel costs, while still enjoying all the regular benefits more traditional SUVs typically provide.
2023 Kia EV9
Also released in 2023 was the EV9, essentially a bigger, more robust EV5. It’s not exactly cheap, but you can probably find a good second-hand deal if you’re willing to shop around, and the benefits it provides (including lower fuel costs and tons of utility and technology) will more than make up for the extra upfront costs.
2015 Kia KX3
It’s unlikely that you’ve seen a KX3 before. It was the precursor to the 2019 Seltos, and sold exclusively in the Chinese market. That said, it’s received something of a second life on second-hand marketplaces, where it’s being sold cheaper than ever, and has a lot to offer frugal drivers.
2019 KX3 Aopao
Like the 2015 KX3, the 2019 model (called the Aopao) is only marketed in China, but if you dig deep enough you’ll likely be able to get your hands on an import. Larger and better equipped than its western counterpart (the Seltos), the Aopao offers a cost-effective compact ride to those willing to go out of their way to find it.
2008 Kia Mohave
Marketed since 2008, the Mohave is a big and burly SUV that makes its presence known wherever it goes. Older models are generally quite cheap upfront, and are great for drivers who want to experience some off-road action, though they can be fuel-guzzlers as well.
2019 Kia Borrego
The Borrego is actually an alternate name for the Mohave, mostly used in North American and Chinese markets, but its 2019 facelift and upgrade gave it improved utility and functionality. Chinese models and imports can sometimes be found for cheaper while still offering the same rugged construction, durability, and hauling capabilities.
2019 Kia Telluride
Kia doesn’t exactly have the same prestige as some other brands like Land Rover and Nissan, at least when it comes to SUVs, but the 2019 Telluride offers a truly premium experience at a lower cost than those other brands.
2025 Kia Syros
As one of Kia’s newest models, it remains to be seen how well the Syros holds up in the long run. However, given that it’s positioned between the Seltos and Sonet, it’s fair to say that it offers a solid compromise between both vehicles, compact in size and fairly advanced in its technology while still not being overpriced.
2021 Kia Carens
The Carens nameplate has been in use since 1999, but it was only in 2021 that it was applied to an SUV. The 2021 Carens is a compact crossover that still manages to be spacious with its staggering 7-seat layout. It’s often competitively-priced, and often eliminates the need for a larger, more fuel-intensive SUV.
1998 Kia Retona
The Retona is a true blast from the past, having first released in 1998 and marketed until 2003. It was Kia’s attempt at something more rugged and durable, a mini SUV that could handle the offroads, too. Due to its age, you can probably find one for dirt-cheap, though the availability of parts and its less-than-stellar fuel efficiency are things to consider.
1990 Asia Rocsta
The Rocsta was developed by Asia Motors, a subsidiary of Kia, way back in the early 90s, and offered drivers a cheap, rugged vehicle that would allow them to traverse the offroads for little cost. It’s even cheaper today, and is great if you just want something basic, though you shouldn't expect much in the way of features and functionality.
2017 Kia KX7
The KX7 was exclusively sold in China and therefore may be harder to get hold of, but as a larger and more affordable Sorento, it could be well worth the extra effort to find. The KX7 offers more space and more premium features than your standard Sorento.
1995 Kia Sportage
The first generation of the indomitable Sportage nameplate, the 1995 model was many drivers’ first experience with Kia, and made a pretty good first impression. They’re often sold for dirt-cheap nowadays but unlike other older vehicles, its parts are not too difficult to come by.
2017 Kia Niro Hybrid
A fairly recent model, the 2017 Kia Niro further emphasized Kia’s commitment to creating more eco (and budget)-friendly cars - the Niro is available in both hybrid and full EV versions. The hybrid is great if you’re not willing to fully commit to an EV just yet, and has improved fuel efficiency over more traditional engines, though hybrid parts may be more difficult to come by.
2017 Kia Niro EV
While we’re still on it, if you are ready to commit to the EV lifestyle, the Niro provides a cost-effective entryway for first-timers, even if it is more expensive than more traditional base models.
2021 Kia EV6
The EV6 is one of Kia’s premier all-electric vehicles, a smart and stylish SUV with loads of functionality. It’s ultimately pretty cost-effective in the long run… provided that you stay in an area with the infrastructure required to support electric vehicles.
2020 Kia XCeed
Okay, so the Kia XCeed isn’t actually an SUV - rather, it’s a large hatchback with crossover stylings, offering more space than other cars in its category, but less than the average SUV. It offers better fuel economy, too, due to its lighter weight, but older models tend to be difficult to repair.
2017 Kia KX1
The KX1 is the Chinese market counterpart to the Stonic released the same year. Though they're undoubtedly similar, the Stonic is a much smaller vehicle overall, along with a number of minor cosmetic differences that set it apart. It's worth looking into if you can find a cheap import!
2015 Kia Soul
The 2015 Soul is pretty much a straight upgrade over the 2010 version (featured earlier on this list). It offers more functionality, more features, and improved styling while still maintaining everything that made that vehicle great - including its cost-effectiveness and cheap price.
2024 Kia EV3
The latest in Kia’s EV line - (don’t ask us about their numbering system) - the EV3 is hardly the cheapest vehicle here, at least upfront. However, considering the amount of value it provides with its manifold features, not to mention its near non-existent fuel costs, the EV3 becomes a cost-effective SUV in the long run.
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
The hybrid version of the Sportage first hit the roads in 2023, as part of Kia’s overall plan to redesign the Sportage almost entirely. Like other EVs on this list, the higher upfront cost is offset by the savings in fuel costs later on down the line.
2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid
First introduced in 2021 as the very first of its kind in the Sorento line-up, the Sorento Hybrid shares much in common with the Sportage Hybrid, including higher upfront costs and future savings, while also offering more space than that vehicle.
2020 Kia Stonic Hybrid
Introduced before our previous two variants, the Stonic Hybrid was part of the wave of 2020 facelifts that affected many Kia models. Though smaller than the previous two entries, the Stonic is also lighter, and therefore even less fuel-intensive, so you end up saving even more.
2015 Kia Sportage
The 2015 Sportage was the final year of the nameplate's third-generation, representing all the work that had been put into the Sportage up until that point. As such, it's often regarded as one of the better models in the series.
2019 Kia Soul
Kicking off the third-generation of the long-running nameplate, the 2019 Soul featured the same boxy style that many drivers had come to love over the years, while improving the vehicle's utility and functionality with added features and gizmos.
2019 Kia Mohave
The Mohave received a facelift in 2019, intended to bring it more in line with Kia's other vehicles. This meant the addition of a fully redesigned interior, heads-up display, full-LED headlights, and tons of new features and functions for the "modern" driver to take advantage of. This is the version of the Borrego that most of the world got to enjoy.
2008 Kia Soul
It may not be as feature-tastic as more modern Kia SUVs, but the very first Kia Soul is still a great vehicle even by today's standards. Introducing drivers to its boxy style for the first time, it offered ample space without sacrificing maneuverability and nimbleness.
2004 Kia Sportage
The second-generation Sportage - introduced in 2004 - was a significant step up in both quality and design, being more in line with modern SUVs. It was considered by many to be one of the best value-for-money SUVs you could buy in 2004, and that more or less still holds true today.
2017 Kia Stonic
If size is of no concern to you, then the 2017 Kia Stonic may be your best bet, at least in terms of cost. It’s often one of Kia’s cheapest models, demanding little in the way of maintenance or fuel, but you do miss out on some functionality typically present in other models.
