Kia has come a long way in recent years, transforming from a budget-friendly brand to a stylish, well-equipped, and reliable vehicle manufacturer. With an impressive lineup ranging from compact hatchbacks to spacious SUVs, Kia offers something for every type of driver in Ireland.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best Kia models available in Ireland for 2024, covering various vehicle categories to help you find the perfect Kia for your needs.
Why Choose Kia?
Before we dive into the specific models, let’s consider why Kia has become such a popular choice among Irish drivers:
- Value for Money: Kia vehicles often offer more features and equipment at a lower price than many competitors.
- Warranty: Kia’s 7-year/150,000 km warranty is one of the best in the industry, providing buyers with peace of mind.
- Design: Kia has developed a distinctive and attractive design language under the leadership of former Audi designer Peter Schreyer.
- Technology: Kia vehicles come equipped with the latest technology features, including advanced infotainment systems and driver assistance technologies.
- Reliability: Kia has significantly improved its reliability ratings recently, with many models receiving high marks in consumer reports.
Now, let’s explore the best Kia models in Ireland, categorised by vehicle type.
Best Kia Hatchbacks
1. Kia Rio
The Kia Rio is a stylish and practical supermini that’s perfect for city driving and beyond.
- Engine Options: Petrol and mild hybrid
- Fuel Efficiency: Up to 4.5L/100km
- Road Tax: From €200 annually
- Why it’s great: The Rio offers a spacious interior for its class, good fuel economy, and a comfortable ride. It’s an excellent choice for first-time buyers or as a reliable second car for families.
2. Kia Ceed
The Kia Ceed is a well-rounded family hatchback that competes with the likes of the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus.
- Engine Options: Petrol, diesel, and mild hybrid
- Fuel Efficiency: Up to 4.8L/100km (diesel)
- Road Tax: From €200 annually
Why it’s great: The Ceed offers a spacious interior, a large boot for its class, and a good balance of comfort and handling. It’s well-equipped even in base trim levels, making it excellent value for money.
Best Kia SUVs
1. Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is one of Ireland’s best-selling SUVs, and for good reason.
- Engine Options: Petrol, diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid
- Fuel Efficiency: Up to 4.8L/100km (hybrid)
- Road Tax: From €200 annually
Why it’s great: The latest generation Sportage boasts a striking design, a spacious and high-quality interior, and a wide range of powertrains to suit different needs. It’s an excellent all-rounder for families.
2. Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento is a large SUV that offers seven seats and plenty of space for families.
- Engine Options: Diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid
- Fuel Efficiency: Up to 5.4L/100km (hybrid)
- Road Tax: From €280 annually
Why it’s great: The Sorento offers a premium feel, abundant space, and advanced technology features. It’s perfect for large families or those who need extra cargo capacity.
3. Kia Niro
The Kia Niro is a compact crossover designed from the ground up as a hybrid vehicle.
- Engine Options: Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full electric (e-Niro)
- Fuel Efficiency: Up to 4.0L/100km (hybrid)
- Road Tax: From €170 annually
Why it’s great: The Niro offers an SUV’s practicality with a hybrid’s efficiency. The e-Niro variant is one of Ireland’s most popular electric vehicles, offering an impressive range and practicality.
Best Kia Saloons
1. Kia Stinger
The Kia Stinger is a premium sports saloon that showcases Kia’s performance capabilities.
- Engine Options: Petrol
- Performance: 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds (GT model)
- Road Tax: From €750 annually
Why it’s great: The Stinger offers striking design, exhilarating performance, and a luxurious interior. It’s a great choice for drivers who want a premium driving experience without the premium badge price tag.
Best Kia Electric Vehicles
1. Kia EV6
he Kia EV6 is Kia’s flagship electric vehicle, offering cutting-edge technology and impressive performance.
- Range: Up to 528 km (WLTP)
- Performance: 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds (GT model)
- Road Tax: €120 annually
Why it’s great: The EV6 offers futuristic styling, rapid charging capabilities, and a spacious, high-tech interior. It’s an excellent choice for those ready to make the switch to electric.
2. Kia Soul EV
The Kia Soul EV combines quirky styling with practical electric performance.
- Range: Up to 452 km (WLTP)
- Performance: 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds
- Road Tax: €120 annually
- Why it’s great: The Soul EV offers a unique design, a spacious interior, and a good electric range. It’s perfect for those who want to stand out from the crowd while enjoying the benefits of electric motoring.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Kia Model
When selecting the best Kia model for your needs in Ireland, consider the following factors:
- Vehicle Type: Based on your lifestyle and requirements, determine whether you need a hatchback, SUV, saloon, or electric vehicle.
- Size: Consider the amount of space you need for passengers and cargo.
- Fuel Type: Based on your driving habits and preferences, choose between petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric.
- Features: Look at the technology and safety features of different trim levels.
- Budget: Consider the purchase price and running costs like fuel efficiency, road tax, and insurance.
Expert Opinions
We’ve gathered insights from automotive experts to provide additional perspective:
InsideEVs noted “Kia’s transformation began in the late 2000s when it hired German car designer Peter Schreyer. With his leadership, Kia evolved from budget-friendly models to tech-savvy, high-quality vehicles like the EV6 and EV9, which now rival premium brands.”
The Korea Times “Kia’s market cap recently surpassed Hyundai for the first time, reaching 41.37 trillion won (€31.04 billion). Analysts credit this to Kia’s strong short-term growth strategy, focusing on affordable EVs and purpose-built vehicles, attracting investors with promising financial results and shareholder-friendly policies.”
Final Thoughts
Kia’s range of vehicles offers something for every type of driver in Ireland. Whether you’re looking for a compact city car, a spacious family SUV, or a cutting-edge electric vehicle, Kia has a model to suit your needs. The brand’s attractive design, advanced technology, excellent warranty, and value for money make it a compelling choice in the Irish market.
When choosing the best Kia model, consider your specific space, performance, and feature requirements. Remember to factor in long-term costs like fuel efficiency and road tax. Most importantly, always test drive a car before making a decision—what looks good on paper may feel different when you’re behind the wheel.
With the options available in 2024, you will find a Kia model that perfectly balances your practical needs with your driving preferences. Happy car hunting!
Kia Models FAQs
Yes, Kia has significantly improved its reliability ratings in recent years. Many Kia models receive high marks in consumer reports and reliability surveys.
Kia offers a 7-year/150,000 km warranty on new cars in Ireland, one of the best in the industry.
Kia offers several electric options, including the EV6, e-Niro, and Soul EV. It also offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of some models, such as the Sportage and Sorento.
Kia vehicles are often praised for offering good value for money, with many models providing features and equipment typically found in more expensive brands.
Yes, many Kia models are excellent for families. The Sportage and Sorento SUVs, in particular, offer spacious interiors, good safety ratings, and practical features that make them well-suited for family use.
Ciaran is an automotive enthusiast with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Creative Digital Media from MTU in Ireland and over three years of experience in digital marketing. His unique background combines a love for storytelling with a strong grasp of engaging content creation, making complex car topics relatable and easy to understand. Through years of managing this blog, Ciaran has expanded his automotive knowledge while helping everyday drivers gain new insights.
Passionate about demystifying the driving world, Ciaran focuses on simplifying car trends, tech updates, and practical driving tips. He believes that everyone should feel confident and informed behind the wheel, offering content that empowers readers to make smart, well-informed decisions.
