Kia vehicles are well-known for their fuel efficiency and affordability, but there are a few used model years that maximize both of these advantages. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the most fuel-efficient used Kias on the market today.
The 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid
The 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid is a comfortable and well-equipped five-seater SUV. It’s available in the FE, LX, EX, Touring, and Touring Launch Edition trim levels. Its hybrid core comes with a 1.6-liter engine granting 104 horsepower and 109 pound-feet of torque tied to a 1.56 kWh 240-volt lithium polymer battery. This core comes set up with a six-speed automatic transmission.
This transmission is particularly notable since most hybrids have weaker continuously variable automatic transmissions. This core and transmission combo allows the 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid to run at 52 mpg in town and 49 mpg on the open road. It has an electric-only range of 26 miles, so running it at virtually zero gas cost is possible if the driver lives in a city near most of their regular destinations.
Music lovers will enjoy this Niro’s eight-speaker Harman-Kardon premium sound system, its 10-way power-adjustable heated bucket seats with lumbar supports and memory settings, and its heated leather steering wheel. Other notable features in this SUV include an express-open and -close sliding and tilting first-row sunroof, automatic projector-beam halogen headlights, and a strong set of safety features.
The 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid
The Kia Optima Hybrid for the 2015 model year is a roomy and efficient five-seater sedan. It comes in the LX, EX, SX, SX Turbo, and SX Limited trim levels. Its core is a combination of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a 47kWh lithium polymer battery, and an electric motor. This core combo generates 199 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque. Like the Niro above, this hybrid comes with a six-speed automatic transmission. This drive system setup allows the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid to get 36 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. It’s not set up for electric-only driving.
This hybrid sedan is available with a six-speaker sound system, a SiriusXM satellite radio and real-time traffic display, and an Infinity NAV infotainment system. An optional subwoofer and external amplifier combo can augment the sound system. Other notable features in the 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid include dual-zone automatic air conditioning, heated and ventilated 10-way power-adjustable seats with lumbar supports and memory settings, and multiple refrigerated storage boxes that are ideal for storing beverages during road trips.
The 2021 Kia K5
The 2021 Kia K5 is a five-seat sedan with solid mpg ratings and more up-to-date features than the abovementioned options. This sedan comes in the LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT trim levels. It’s available with one of two engines: 1.6-liter or 2.5-liter four-cylinder versions. The first generates 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, while the second produces 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque.
Both engine options come tied to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 1.6-liter engine gets 29 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the nation’s highways, while the 2.5-liter version gets 24 mpg in town and 32 mpg on the open road.
Its 8-inch TFT touch-screen infotainment system comes with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and voice command programming. Its standard sound system comes with six speakers. Other notable features on the 2021 K5 include distance-pacing stop-and-go cruise control with steering wheel controls, heated eight-way power-adjustable bucket seats with lumbar supports, and an HVAC system with under-seat and console ducts.
The 2018 Kia Soul
The 2018 Kia Soul is a city-friendly five-seat hatchback SUV. It’s available in three trim levels: Base, Plus, and Exclaim. This version of the Soul is powered by either a 1.6-liter or a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Three transmissions are available: a six-speed manual version and a six or seven-speed automatic version. The manual transmission is the best choice for drivers who want to maximize fuel efficiency.
The 1.6-liter provides 130 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque, while the 2.0-liter generates 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The 1.6-liter gets 25 mpg in town and 31 mpg on the highway, while the 2.0 version gets 30 mpg on city streets and 27 mpg on the open road.
The Tech Package for this Soul comes with an incredible range of features for just $3,000, including a center-set speaker, a Harman-Kardon sound system, and power-folding side-view mirrors. A subwoofer and amplifier, a UVO infotainment system with GPS navigation, a backup camera, Xenon auto-leveling headlamps, two center-set USB charging ports, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, LED fog lights, eight-way power-adjustable seats, rear cross-traffic alert, and more.
The 2020 Kia Rio
The last fuel-efficient Kia on our list is the 2020 Rio. It’s a five-seater vehicle available as a sedan or hatchback, with a wide range of impressive features. This Rio is available in the LX and S trim levels. Both trim levels come powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generating 120 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque and tied to a continuously variable automatic transmission. This core setup gives the 2020 Kia Rio fuel efficiency ratings of 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway.
It’s available with a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system with smartphone integration and speed-compensated volume control programming. Its best-available sound system is a seven-speaker premium setup. Other notable features on this Rio include a day-night rearview mirror, woven cloth upholstery, one-touch up-and-down power windows, and six-way power-adjustable bucket front seats. This Rio also comes with a solid set of safety features, including dual-stage front occupant airbags, a dynamic parking guidance system with a rearview monitor, and rear child safety locks.
Check out these extremely efficient used Kia vehicles and many others here at Tom Kadlec Kia in Rochester, Minnesota. Our professional and attentive team will help you find the ideal Kia to fit your needs and budget. Feel free to reach out to us to set up an appointment or visit us at your convenience.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.