KIA Australia History

KIA Australia History: All About KIA

Kia Australia is a company with a long tradition of manufacturing cars. For over 75 years The Kia Corporation has been moving people.

They delivered solutions to help people move from place to place, connect them and bridge physical and emotional distances.

KIA Corporation

Kia Corporation, Korea’s oldest motor vehicle manufacturer, was founded in 1944. Kia began as a humble bicycle and motorcycle manufacturer. As part of the global Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia is now the fifth-largest vehicle maker in the world.

Kia currently produces over 1.4 million cars a year in 14 manufacturing and assembling operations across eight countries. More than 3,000 dealers and distributors in 172 countries sell and service these vehicles. The Corporation employs more than 40,000 people and has annual revenues exceeding US$17 billion.

Kia’s ‘home country’ of South Korea is home to three major assembly plants, the Hwasung and Sohari facilities, and Kwangju, as well as a world-class research and development centre at Namyang, which employs 8,000 technicians, and an environmental R&D facility. Eco-Technology Institute near Seoul is developing future hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as well as cutting-edge end-of-life vehicle recycling processes and technologies. Kia invests 6% of annual revenue in R&D. It also operates research centres in Germany, Japan, and the USA.

KIA Australia Arrival

The Kia Mentor marked the arrival of the Korean brand in Australia in 1997. The 1989 323 was another Mazda-derived model, a front-wheel drive five-door hatch priced to suit low-budgets.

KIA Cars Australia

Kia produces some of the most highly regarded and popular vehicles on Australian roads. Kias are comfortable, practical and safe. Should you buy a Kia as your next vehicle? This article from Car Domain takes you through the Kia Australia range of vehicles.

The KIA Range In Australia

Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto, one of the newest additions to Kia’s family, is already regarded as ‘Australia’s most popular micro car’. Kia Picanto is a great car for driving in the city or suburbs because of its small size and maneuverability. Picanto has a sporty look without compromising its practicality. The new Picanto is more spacious and has all the modern features that we expect in a vehicle.

Kia Picanto comes with a manual or automatic transmission and a petrol engine of 1.25L.

Its Key Features:

• Petrol Engine 62kW (4-cylinder).
• App CarPlay
• Android Auto
• 7 Inch centre console touchscreen
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning system
• Rear parking sensor with camera

Kia Picanto Price : 15,500

Kia Optima

The Kia Optima, a mid-sized car is available in two versions: the standard Si and the sportier GT turbo. The Optima is a medium-sized car that comes in two models: the Si and GT turbo. Both have a sleek, modern design with a lot of technology, as well as high-tech safety and caging chassis. The GT, however, is a true cut above the others. It comes with a panoramic roof, 10 speakers, wireless charging for phones, blind spot detection and autonomous emergency braking, among other features. The Optima GT also has a powerful turbocharged 2.0l engine that produces 180 kW. The Kia Optima will make a bold statement.

Kia Optima Key Features

Kia Optima Si

• Rearview camera
• autonomous emergency breaking
• Lane departure warning system
• LED Daytime Running Lights
• Paddle Shifters
• Satellite Navigation
• 17″ alloy wheels

Kia Optima GT

• Blind Spot Detection
• Lane change assist
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Sport tubular leather-appointed seats
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Front seats with ventilation & heating
• Wireless Phone Charging
• 10 Speaker Surround Sound
• Smart boot auto-release
• 18″ Alloy Wheels

Kia Optima Price: 

Kia Optima Si – $38,000. The Optima GT – $50,000.

Kia Rio

The Kia Rio, known for its fun and excitement, is the best-known car from the manufacturer. Kia claims the Rio has a sleek exterior, a luxurious interior, and Australia’s best 7-year KM warranty. The Kia Rio is a great car for cruising around town. It is also class-leading. The Kia Rio is powered by an efficient 1.4L petrol engine and comes in either a 4-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual.

Kia Rio comes in three different models: S, Si, and SLi. Kio Rio S comes as the basic model. The Si is a step up, and the SLi tops the range.

Its Key Features

Rio S

• Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• 7 Inch centre touchscreen
• Rearview Camera
• Daytime Running Lights
• Aero blade wipers

Rio Si

All in the Rio S or:

• 15″ Alloy Wheels
• Satellite navigation with traffic data
• DAB+ digital radio
• Cruise control mounted on steering wheel
• Premium steering wheel with gear shifter
• Front fog projector lights

Rio SLi

All in the Si or:

• 16″ Alloy Wheels
• Electric Sunroof
• Electrochromatic rear view mirror (auto-dimming)
• Rain-sensing front wipers
• Interior trim and seats with premium quality
• Climate Control Air Conditioning
• Allowing sports pedals

KIA Cerato (Hatch & Sedan)

Kia Cerato is available in hatchback and sedan versions and won the award for Australia’s best small car under $35,000 in 2016. The Cerato is packed with features and comes in a variety of transmission types. It also boasts Kia’s legendary 7-year unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Its sleek design is the main selling point of this vehicle, featuring a tiger-nosed grille with sharpened edges and swept-back headlights. The car is well-proportioned and has striking lines that make it stand out.

KIA Soul

The Kia Soul represents a small vehicle done differently. The Kia Soul has a squarer design than Kia’s famed curves and lines. Kia claims that this car offers more space and comfort than a typical small car without compromising on safety or technology standards. The Kia Soul comes with a host of driving technologies, such as steering wheel controls and Bluetooth connectivity. The Kia Soul also has a 2.0L Petrol Engine that produces 113kW – more than the Kia Picanto and Rio. Kia Soul

Kia Soul’s key features

• Bluetooth technology
• Automatic headlights
• USB + AUX inputs
• Vehicle Stability Management
• Rearview Camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Cruise control
• Steering wheel controls

Kia Soul Price: $25,000

KIA Sportage

The Kia Sportage SUV is a sporty vehicle with an attractive design, lots of space and excellent handling. Kia Sportage is a family-friendly vehicle because of its convenient size and practicality.

Kia Sportage comes in four different models: Si, Si Premium (premium), SLi, and GT.

Kia Sorento

Kia claims its latest Sorento SUV is the most intelligent and family-oriented SUV ever.

The Kia Sorento may not be an off-roader for Australia’s rugged outback roads, but it is built to withstand them.

The Sorento comes with a 3.5L petrol V6 or a 2.2L turbocharged engine.

KIA Rondo

Kia Rondo has enough space for up to seven people. The Kia Rondo has many seats, and the rear two rows of seats can be folded to make a huge boot. The vehicle has many hidden compartments that make storage easy. The Kia Rondo is a standard-looking vehicle, but its interior has a lot of ergonomic features that you wouldn’t expect in a family car. The Kia Rondo is a family vehicle, so safety is of paramount importance. You can be sure that your cargo will be safe with its six airbags, and ANCAP’s 5-star safety rating. Kia Rondo is available in two different models: the S and Si.

KIA Rondo’s key features:

S

• Rearview Camera
• Reverse parking sensors
• Front & rear fog lights
• Split fold 2 ^and rows seats for 5 seats
• Cruise control
• Air vents 2 ^and rows

All in the Si or:

• Satellite Navigation
• 7″ LCD colour touchscreen
• 7 seats with 3rd rows of seats that can be folded flat and split into two.
• Walk-in 2 ^and rows
• Premium steering wheel and shift knob
• 16″ Alloy Wheels
• Automatic folding electric outside mirrors

Kia Rondo price: $30,000 – $35,000 

KIA Carnival

Kia is proud to announce that the Kia Carnival has been named ‘Australia’s Best Family Wagon’, after winning a number of awards in 2016. The Kia Carnival is capable of carrying up to eight passengers without compromising the safety and style that has made Kia a household name. Kia Carnival looks more like a personal limousine than a family vehicle, with its long, sleek look and on some models, power sliding doors. The Kia Carnival is available with either a petrol engine 3.3L or a diesel engine 2.2L.

Kia Carnival comes in four different models: S, Si SLi, and Platinum. The first three Kia Carnival models differ in some ways, but the Kia Carnival Platinum stands out. The Platinum model includes a 360-degree camera, lane departure warnings, blind spot detectors and a collision warning system.

KIA Carnival Key Features

S

• Rearview Camera
• Rear parking sensors
• 3 USB charging ports
• 3 12v power outlets
• Air vents in the 2 ^nd, 3 ^rows.
• Conversation mirror

All in the Si or:

• Satellite Navigation
• 8″ colour LCD touchscreen
• LED rear combination lamps
• Air-conditioning with three-zone climate control
• Front fog lamps
• Outside mirrors that fold up automatically with electric folding
• 17″ alloy wheels
• Privacy glass

SLi

• Smart power tailgate and Power sliding doors with hands-free operation
• Leather upholstered seats
• Front parking sensors
• Cooling glovebox
• Smart key with Push Button Start
• Electrochromatic rear view mirror (auto-dimming)
• Premium steering wheel with shift knob
• 18″ Alloy Wheels

Platinum

• 360deg camera view
• Front seats with ventilation and heating
• Automatic Emergency Brake
• Forward Collision Warning System
• Blind Spot Detection
• Lane change assist
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Lane departure warning system
• Power 8-way driver’s seat with 4-way Lumbar Support
• 19″ alloy wheels

Price: The Kia Carnival, like all other people-movers in the Kia lineup, is also one of the most expensive. The S model 3.3L automatic petrol Carnival starts at around $45,000. The Si is priced at around $50,000. The SLi is about $54,000. And the Platinum costs about $63,000. Diesel versions will cost you an additional $3,000 for these cars.

KIA Stinger

Kia Stinger, Kia’s performance car, is a vehicle that exudes power, style, and luxury. The Stinger is powered by a monster Twin-Turbo V6 with 272kW, capable of 0-100km/h within 4.9 seconds.

The Stinger was designed solely for driving enjoyment.

The interior is just as impressive with its coloured HUD on the windscreen, wireless phone chargers, powered sunroof and premium surround sound systems.

Here’s everything Kia Australia offers. See what other Australians think of this iconic manufacturer.