The Size Spectrum: Kia’s 2026 Vehicles Lined Up from Lean to Legendary

The story of Kia is one of persistence, innovation and steady growth. Founded in 1944 in Seoul, South Korea, the company began as a manufacturer of steel tubing and bicycle parts before moving into licensed vehicle production. Over time, Kia refined its engineering capabilities and developed a reputation for delivering dependable transportation.

The launch of Kia Motors America in 1992 marked a defining step into the United States market. Following financial restructuring in the late 1990s, Kia joined forces with Hyundai Motor Company, a partnership that fueled product development, advanced research and bold new design language.

Today, we stand confidently as a global automotive leader here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis. The brand offers a broad lineup that spans compact cars, versatile SUVs and cutting edge electric vehicles. From value focused commuters to premium three row models, the 2026 Kia range demonstrates just how far the brand has come. Ranked by size, each vehicle plays a unique role in meeting the needs of modern drivers.

A Recognizable Icon: The Kia Soul

Although recently retired from production, the Kia Soul remains a celebrated part of the lineup. Known for its distinctive silhouette and youthful personality, the Soul became one of the most recognizable subcompacts on American roads.

Equipped with a 2.0 liter four cylinder engine and an intelligent variable transmission, the Soul delivers smooth, efficient performance for everyday driving. Its compact dimensions make urban navigation simple, while the surprisingly roomy interior provides generous rear legroom and flexible cargo space. For drivers seeking character and practicality in a small footprint, the Soul leaves a lasting impression.

Compact Versatility: The Kia Seltos

Stepping up in size, the Kia Seltos brings crossover confidence to the subcompact segment. With a choice of powertrains, including an available turbocharged engine paired with all wheel drive, the Seltos delivers energetic performance along with reassuring traction.

Its elevated ride height and bold styling give it a strong presence on the road. Inside, passengers enjoy ample legroom and a thoughtfully designed cabin filled with intuitive technology. From daily commuting to weekend road trips, the Seltos provides flexibility that fits a wide range of lifestyles.

Smart Electrification: The Kia Niro

The Kia Niro highlights Kia’s commitment to efficiency and forward thinking design. Available as a hybrid or fully electric vehicle, the Niro allows drivers to select the powertrain that best aligns with their driving habits.

The hybrid model pairs a gasoline engine with an electric motor to deliver impressive fuel savings, while the electric version offers quiet operation and responsive acceleration. Both configurations provide comfortable seating for five and generous cargo capacity. With refreshed styling and advanced connectivity features, the Niro blends eco-friendly performance with everyday usability.

A Segment Leader: The Kia Sportage

Growing families often turn to the Kia Sportage, a compact SUV that balances style, space and powertrain variety. Available with a traditional gasoline engine, a hybrid system or a plug in hybrid setup, the Sportage offers options for nearly every preference.

The cabin features a clean, modern layout with expansive digital displays and quality materials. Cargo space supports active schedules, while available all wheel drive enhances capability. The plug-in hybrid variant adds electric only driving for shorter trips, making the Sportage an adaptable choice for evolving needs.

Electrified Performance: The Kia EV6

The sleek Kia EV6 represents Kia’s bold vision for the electric future. Built on an advanced electric platform, the EV6 offers multiple motor configurations and both rear wheel and all wheel drive options.

Drivers can expect strong acceleration thanks to instant electric torque, along with a competitive driving range that supports both city commutes and longer journeys. The futuristic exterior design pairs with a high tech interior featuring dual digital displays and premium finishes. The EV6 proves that sustainability and excitement can go hand in hand.

Three Row Flexibility: The Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento enters the midsize category with available three row seating for six or seven passengers. This SUV offers a range of engines, including naturally aspirated, turbocharged and hybrid options, allowing customers to tailor performance to their needs.

Its spacious interior accommodates families comfortably, while flexible seating configurations make it easy to balance passengers and cargo. Available adventure inspired trims add elevated ground clearance and distinctive styling details. Whether handling daily errands or weekend getaways, the Sorento adapts with confidence.

Premium Electric Space: The Kia EV9

The three row Kia EV9 demonstrates how far Kia’s electric technology has progressed. Designed as a spacious midsize SUV, the EV9 offers seating for up to seven and substantial cargo room.

Available in rear wheel drive and dual motor all wheel drive versions, the EV9 delivers impressive horsepower and torque. Its interior features upscale materials, advanced driver assistance systems and expansive digital displays. For families seeking zero tailpipe emissions without sacrificing space or comfort, the EV9 delivers a refined and capable solution.

Commanding Presence: The Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride continues to anchor the lineup as a spacious and confident SUV. With seating for up to eight passengers and strong towing capability, the Telluride is built for active households.

Powered by a turbocharged engine and paired with a smooth shifting automatic transmission, it delivers robust performance. Available all wheel drive enhances traction, and upcoming hybrid variants expand efficiency options. The Telluride’s refined cabin materials and advanced technology create an inviting environment for long drives and everyday errands alike.

Maximum Room: The Kia Carnival

At the top of the size chart sits the Kia Carnival, Kia’s largest vehicle in North America. This multi purpose vehicle blends minivan functionality with bold, SUV inspired styling.

With seating for up to eight passengers and expansive cargo capacity, the Carnival excels at transporting families and gear. Available with a powerful V6 or an efficient hybrid powertrain, it offers smooth acceleration and composed ride comfort. Sliding doors provide convenient access, while flexible seating layouts accommodate a variety of travel scenarios.

A Lineup That Reflects Growth and Innovation

From the compact Soul to the expansive Carnival, Kia’s 2026 lineup illustrates a remarkable journey. The brand has evolved from a value focused newcomer into a respected global automaker offering advanced technology, electrified options and refined design.

Each model serves a distinct purpose, ensuring that drivers can find the right combination of size, performance and efficiency. As a Kia dealership, it is inspiring to present a portfolio that embodies innovation and versatility at every level. No matter the destination, there is a Kia designed to make the journey rewarding.

Kia Sends Six Star-Studded Vehicles to Car and Driver 2022 Editor’s Choice Awards

Over the past month, six of our vehicles were named Car and Driver’s 2022 Editor’s Choice award winners, representing the publication’s annual benchmark of high automotive excellence! The Telluride, Sorento, Carnival, K5, Soul, and Rio were selected from nearly 400 vehicles that the editors spent time testing, rating, and ranking across segments ranging from crossover SUVs to sedans to electric vehicles.

This latest and greatest honor comes just after the Kia Telluride was named to the Car and Driver’s 10Best List, which gives props to the best cars, trucks, and SUVS that are available on the market this year. 

The 2022 Kia Telluride is great at hauling families in comfort and style, and is packed with desirable features along with an overwhelming sense of practicality. It is completely separate from bland offerings of three-row mid-size crossovers with its ideally rugged exterior and rich interior, along with an amazing selection of standard active safety features. The top trim offers perks such as ventilated rear seats, and it fulfills all the gold standard demands of its segment.

The 2022 Kia Sorento now has two available powertrain options: a naturally aspirated inline-4 and a turbo-4. The turbo-equipped model is quick on its feet and has the agile handling needed to match a vehicle this size. The eight-speed automatic does a good job of giving the Sorento a more engaging driving feel without having to sacrifice any efficiency or ride comfort. Turbocharged models receive second-row captain’s chairs, and you’ll also be enjoying open-pore wood interior trim, embossed diamond-quilted leather seats, and very plush bright satin finish inside.

The 2022 Kia K5 boasts a snazzy interior and exterior and the refreshing quickness of the 290-horsepower GT model. This stylish and modern family sedan was also named to the Car and Driver 2022 Editor’s Choice list, with every new model featuring Kia’s awesome new logo! The GT-Line and higher trims now come standard with a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and wireless smartphone charger on the center console. The EX and GT both also receive a brand-new 360-degree camera system, front parking sensors, and power-folding exterior mirrors. 

The 2022 Kia Rio has been recognized for its fuel efficiency, comfort for its size, and availability as a sedan or hatchback. The ideal model for a young driver on the hunt for their first car, it is comfortable, reliable, and has some great features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The standard 8-inch infotainment system will make you feel as if you are in a much pricier car, and the front seats offer plenty of support and comfort for tall drivers. Be sure to check out the S Technology Package for alloy wheels, chrome door handles, and LED headlights for a more premium look!

Straight From The Kia Pressroom: 2020 Kia Soul's All-new Platform Highlights

An iconic shape and profile are two of the reasons why new buyers are going crazy about the next-generation Soul, and the Kia Pressroom website had a great feature getting close-up and personal with the new Soul this past week that you can check out here. One of the elements that it highlights is how much a technologically advanced cockpit can highlight the driving experience, as well as the new 2.0-liter engine and available IVT transmission combination. Feeling completely all-new and refreshed, the 2020 Soul is a revamped version of our well-esteemed and award-snagging urban drive-about.

This 2020 model encompasses the exciting result of everything that helped this styled and diverse subcompact turn heads in the first place: there is literally “more soul” injected into the entire vehicle, whose end result is an unmatched style, aggressive performance, and example of what is needed for anyone who is navigating the trenches of daily A to B within the metro. Even with an entirely new generation of competitors now present in the marketplace, the options to customize, technology offerings, and flavorful style have made the Soul quite a tough contender.

The five available trim levels are LX, S, X-Line, GT-Line, and EX, in addition to the completely all-new Soul EV vehicle. The 2020 version stays true to its design heritage with boxy silhouette and aggressive stance, fresh close-up details, new lighting elements, and design lines that catch the eye immediately. There is now a new high-tech front headlight configuration with a connecting trim piece that clearly accentuates width, as well as slim-design daytime running lights and turn signal indicators. One of our favorite features here at Jim Butler is the larger front grille with new two-tone treatment, and the new mounting points on the roof rack.

The ability to enjoy and express the emotion that great music gives us has long been a theme for the Soul since its original release, and this time around the same sentiment presides. Drawing much inspiration from the emotional visualization of sound, the Soul's space inside is checked with shapes and textures that reflect elements inspired by acoustics, with the goal of creating a full sensory experience. There is now sound mood lighting that emits super-cool soft light from the center door panels, and a 3D pattern surface on the upper door panels that synchronized the beat playing through the audio system.

Next year's Soul is made of a structure that has increased use of Advanced High Strength Steel, structural adhesive, and stamped components. We absolutely expect it to receive the highest safety ratings in existence from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration. As excited as customers get regarding tech features, we are proud of the fact that the Soul offers the 10.25-inch HD color touchscreen with split function, as well as rear-view monitor parking guidance. The GT line is where things get really sporty and flexible: with this addition, you get 18-inch alloy wheels, unique side sills and front fascia with red accents, integrated fog lights on the front grille, special “GT-Line” badging, larger disc brakes, and customized sport-tuned suspension.

Consumer Guide Automotive Names Both Kia Rio and Soul “Best Buy Winners”

As the scurrying around getting last minute gifts, sending cards, and sometimes firing up snowblowers has occupied the time of many this holiday season, some St Louis residents are also wondering which subcompact vehicle could be the right one to be idling under their tree! Both the Kia Rio and Soul have been named 2019 Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award winners, once again demonstrating the brand's ability to construct vehicles with high value. Tom Appel, Publisher of Consumer Guide Automotive, claimed that the Kia Soul earned best buy honors primarily for its excellent passenger and cargo accommodations, and its value pricing.

He also claimed that the Kia Rio earned Best Buy honors for its excellent value and amazing refinement for the price. He also added confidently that the “Rio is one of the best-riding and quietest vehicles in its class,” a very noticeable quality for anyone who logs a more-than-average amount of miles on their vehicle. Consumer Guide editors log more than 100,000 miles every year evaluating vehicles, and use objective criteria such as price, features, performance, accommodations, fuel economy, reliability records, and resale value during their assessments.

Decked out with what Car and Driver deemed as “purposeful polish,” the Rio is best-equipped with the Launch Edition Package: it adds flashy red accents to the seats and dashboard, where a large 7.0-inch touchscreen is located in the center stack. The EX model is the trim with which you receive emergency braking, a life-saving and high-tech safety feature found on only a select few subcompacts. The Rio nailed down an impressive 39 mpg in the 75 mph fuel economy test, just one reason why so many urban commuters will find instant favor with it. Ask us to check out the mid-level Rio S: it offers a backup camera, keyless entry, cruise control, and Bluetooth!

The 2019 Kia Soul is just what anyone would think of when “expressive styling” comes to mind, and the high-tech features included are another abundance of appeal. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and LED interior lighting that pulses along with your music selection are all fine points. Its body provides a spacious passenger compartment, with a large amount of glass and a high seating position offering a situated and commanding view of the road. The Car and Driver staff really appreciated the power gleaned from the turbocharged engine, quick-shifting seven-speed automatic, and overall sense of refined ride. In a 200-mile highway fuel economy test, the Soul rang in at 30 mpg. Ranked wonderfully for its interior, infotainment, and cargo, this is one present that would look more-than-perfect under the mistletoe, pine tree, or any other festive fixture this holiday season!

Kia Soul Ranked as one of Car and Driver's “5 Best SUVS for Fuel Economy”

Safety features, the best in technology offerings, and overall appearance are some of the first characteristics that new buyers have in mind when they come to Jim Butler Kia. Prices at the pump are not quite as painful as they once were, but things have been edging up a bit as of late, and many on the search for a new car have the MPG stat as one of the deciding factors. The knowledgeable staff of Car and Driver produced a video featuring the 5 best SUVs for Fuel Economy out there, and we were not at all surprised to see the Soul on the list.

The expressive styling is one of the cues that first intrigues people into taking a test drive. Staff at Car and Driver also ranked the high seating position and commanding view of the road as other standout features, and the EPA ratings are now in at 24 miles per gallon in the city, and 30 mpg on the highway by means of the 6-speed manual transmission. Also sporting an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, the way that the tech is streamlined into the dash is simply awesome: it seems like it was all meant to fit, but still grabs your attention right away.

One of our favorite features to flaunt during test drives is the ultra-cool LED interior lighting that can pulse along with your tunes, a trait that can absolutely inject a healthy dose of ambient positivity into any driving situation! One thing we hear often about the Soul is regarding the interior. Right after you sit down, you realize that many hours have been put into making this interior not only accessible, but ahead of its time. One of the biggest complaints we get after customers test-drive the competition is that the interiors just seem overly crowded with flimsy plastic, one trait you won't notice in our front-running and energetic Soul!

Ask us how the Soul Plus trim adds the automatic transmission, the larger 2.0-liter engine, 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, automatic climate control, Drive Mode Select, heated exterior mirrors, a front center console with an armrest, as well as rearview camera. The Soul Exclaim trim provides 18-inch alloy wheels, a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, larger and very responsive front disc brakes, automatic headlights, power-folding exterior mirrors, leather seating, and push-button start with Smart Key and a leather-wrapped D-shaped steering wheel.

We know that fall is now truly here in all ways, as the leaves begin to fall and the temperatures are getting lower. It's still good to keep In mind that the Exclaim trim is eligible for the Panoramic Sunroof package: when warmer days return, it will no doubt be a boost to any driver's necessary uptick of vitamin D intake!

Kia Soul and Cadenza Honored Via Car and Driver For Best Interiors Under $40,000

We all know that if you are willing to plunk down a large sum of cash, you can purchase a car with an interior that seems fit for a king. But, the reality of the consumer landscape dictates that most of us don't have pockets full of cash to burn, and are leaning towards the much more economical side of the purchasing scale. Car and Driver is one of our esteemed sources for everything happening in the auto world, and is always on deck to dole out the goods regarding features and performance stats. This past month they took a good, hard look at cars that many average folks can purchase, focusing on those with cabins that really impress.

Once again just as in many awards categories, we had two of our vehicles make the cut! The Cadenza fared well in this department because it is “simply great looking inside and out.” As soon as you open the door, the visual flair is noticed immediately, with the available Nappa Leather's diamond-quilted seat bolsters a striking and high-end luster. Once you sit down in the front, this is a very sleek dashboard on hand that could easily be mistaken for Genesis-level design, and the infotainment system layout is clear, quick, and simple, without the massive cluttering effect that takes place inside many other current models. Going low on the plastic factor really helped during this design, and it's real proof that minimalism speaks volumes.

It was also a great excitement to see the Kia Soul make this list, as it is one of the models that customers ask us about most frequently. Who could be disappointed with these well-built insides offered at such a great price? You get to enjoy a large audio display screen, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. The Soul is known for its very unique charm, and the fact that it was the back-to-back winner of 10Best awards further solidifies its value and appeal.

The main thing to keep in mind about the interior of a car is that this is where you will be spending your time. If the journey you are taking happens to be a bit longer than average, all of the comfort you can muster for the price is going to make a difference in the long run, when the location where you're spending most of your time brings you comfort. One thing that we love about our brand is the fact that you don't have to pay a largely inflated sum of money to enjoy an awesome interior, and we are thankful to the good people at Car and Driver for pointing out the finer points of these two cars' inner aspects. While you are behind the wheel,  your immediate surroundings define how your entire trip will feel, and at Jim Butler Kia we are beyond proud that two Kia models made the cut for the most clandestine insides around!

Kia Unveils Trail’ster Electric All-wheel Drive CUV Concept

Off-road enthusiasts in St. Louis will soon have a new best friend as Kia Motors America (KMA) debuted its newest concept at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show — an electric, all-wheel drive CUV dubbed the Trial’ster. Those who live in urban areas but also want a vehicle that can handle their off-road fun now have an eco-friendly vehicle to fit their needs.

As it is based on the Kia Soul design, the Trail’ster’s look may not exactly scream rugged like other traditional off-road vehicles, but its rear axle-mounted electric all-wheel-drive system provides surefootedness in the wild. Also, it is two-and-a-half inches higher than the standard Soul. Along with all of that, the Trail’ster has aluminum skidplates around the entire vehicle to protect the undercarriage from jagged rocks.

The exterior is highlighted by a stylish full-length fully retractable, weatherproof rollback canvas roof to create an open-sky environment. Integrated roof rack fittings with aluminum cross rails allow owners to take easily their mountain bikes, snowboards or whatever they need for their outdoor fun.

The interior was inspired by the outdoor and cold weather gear that those who purchase one of these vehicles in the future wear. The focal point of this interior is a tactile and sturdy center console with its AWD controls and a bright red ignition button. The floor mats feature aluminum inlays for all-weather traction. As the Trail’ster is based on the Soul, there is plenty of space for passengers and cargo to boot.

Under the hood, the compact CUV is primarily powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine outputting 185 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. This is matched to an electric all-wheel-drive system on the rear axle. The electric propulsion system draws energy from a 1.2 kWh Lithium Ion Polymer battery powering a 27 kW, 270 volt AC synchronous permanent magnet electric motor to bring the total power to 220 HP and 285 lb.-ft. of torque.

Stay tuned to Jim Butler Kia in Chesterfield Valley’s blog for more details and information on the Trail’ster.

While those in St. Louis wait eagerly for this concept to become a reality, Jim Butler Kia in St. Louis has a selection of 2015 Kia Souls in our inventory. To learn more about the award-winning Kia Soul, call us today at 888-392-6606. As your St. Louis Kia dealer, we invite you to check out the Soul in person at our Chesterfield dealership. If you’re in the St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights area, stop by our lot at 722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. Here at Jim Butler Kia, you can make your Soul purchase with confidence. We are located in Chesterfield, Mo., and serve as your St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur and Maryland Heights Kia dealer.

Check out our 2015 Soul inventory!

2012s are Arriving daily at Jim Butler KIA & We have the No Fine Print Deals!

Jim Butler KIA would like to give a special thanks to all of the customers that made us the #1 KIA Store in St. Louis last month. We really appreciate your business and invite you to refer your friends to us this month. Jim Butler KIA has 2012 KIAs arriving on a daily basis with great lease deals like a 2012 KIA Sportage for just $229/mo. 

Visit JimButlerKia.com today