As a used Kia dealer, we’ve seen the wants and demands of used car shoppers rapidly change over the years. And that doesn’t surprise us because the vehicle landscape has rapidly changed. While innovation in certain spaces like technology and safety seemed to come to a standstill for several decades, brands like Kia have made incredible advancements to their vehicles over just the past handful of years. Some of their older models would be unrecognizable, set next to their corresponding models from the last five to 10 years.
Now, drivers understand the real differences that modern features can make. Great safety features can make the difference between hitting the brakes just in time to avoid a collision and…not. They can mean the difference between straining to hear music over a weak audio system and feeling like you’re at a live concert. Used car drivers simply don’t want something that feels used anymore. That’s what makes Kia such a popular manufacturer to shop pre-owned. Below, we’ll cover why Kia is the first brand you should explore if you’re after a used vehicle.
Safety That Can Save Lives…and Traffic Ticket Fees
Today’s drivers have come to expect comprehensive assistance when it comes to avoiding collisions and traffic tickets. Used Kia vehicles provide you with a second set of eyes that constantly monitor your surroundings, paired with fast-acting alerts that let you know when to hit the brakes or make an adjustment. It’s no wonder the brand has received so many top safety pick awards from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety over the years.
Take the Sorento, for example, a three-row SUV that’s popular among families. When you’ve got little ones in the back, fighting over snacks and complaining about homework assignments, staying focused can be difficult. But many used Sorentos have features that can catch hazards, even when you don’t. More recent models have a Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, which lets you know via visual and audible alerts when someone’s approaching in your blind spot, and Lane Following Assist, which notifies you if you’re at risk of drifting from your lane (it can even guide you back into it). Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist lets you know if you’re getting too close to the vehicle in front of you and can apply the brakes to avoid an accident. It even detects pedestrians and automatically brakes for them.
As a dealership that works with many shoppers in the used car space, we have come to learn that safety features are one thing drivers don’t want to compromise on. They don’t mind an older style, but they don’t want anything to be old-fashioned about their driver-assistance features. It’s why so many drivers love a used Kia.
Money-Saving Fuel Economy
The increase in fuel prices in recent years has been astronomical. Paying for gas can put a real dent in a driver’s budget today, and we’ve never before in the history of selling used cars seen such a high interest in fuel-efficient models. Every penny counts these days, and fuel guzzlers are falling off drivers’ radars. That’s why Kia is so popular. They offer several traditional gas engine models with excellent fuel economy, as well as a variety of hybrid options.
In the combustion engine department, there’s the Forte, a compact sedan that gets roughly 31 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway on more recent models. If you’re a commuter, you’ll be amazed at how infrequently you find yourself at the pump in the Forte. The Soul is another traditional gas engine option with excellent efficiency, with the last couple of model years getting 29 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway. As a subcompact SUV, you will get the perks of an SUV, such as a higher ride height and taller trunk space than a sedan, but it will still get you great fuel economy.
Kia also makes several high-quality and reliable plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid (HEV) models. The three-row Sorento is available in HEV models, giving you all of the benefits of a big SUV, like serious passenger seating, ample cargo space, all-wheel drive, and towing capability, paired with great fuel economy. Solid efficiency is usually something larger-sized SUV drivers expect to sacrifice, but that won’t be the case with the Sorento. The compact Sportage can be found as a HEV or PHEV. So, if you want the flexibility to recharge the battery through regenerative braking or plugging it into a charger, you can have it.
Innovative Kia Features That Can Be Found on Many Pre-Owned Models
Modern drivers want to feel connected and have access to the information they need at a moment’s notice. A used Kia model can live up to those demands. Let’s look at a 2021 Telluride, for example. It lets you connect your three-row SUV to your smart devices controlled by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Then, you can use just your voice to command those devices from your vehicle cabin. The stylish K5, a fun-to-drive midsize sedan, also offers this feature.
Parents will love the in-vehicle intercom known as Driver Talk. It comes on the Telluride (2020 and newer) and the Carnival minivan (2022 and newer). It lets the driver press a button and project their voice through the rear speakers. So kids in the very back can’t pretend they didn’t hear you when you said, “Stop bothering your sibling!” The Carnival also has a Passenger View feature that projects real-time camera views of the second and third rows onto the touchscreen, making it easy to keep an eye on backseat passengers.
Many models, including the Telluride and Sportage, also have integrated navigation. So you don’t need to rely on your smartphone app to find your way. You can use the in-vehicle system, regardless of cell service. Some used K5s (including the 2021 model) even boast navigation-based Smart Cruise Control that can adjust your speed and following distance while staying on track with directions.
Affordable Style
Many drivers have the misconception that striking style always comes with a high price tag. However, Kia makes several models that defy that myth. Let’s take the K5, for example, with its ultra-sleek profile and accented bodylines. It’s ready to turn heads and boasts an affordable price point when shopping used. Then there’s the EV6, which boasts an all-electric powertrain that lets you kiss gas pumps goodbye and a stunning design that will be sure to grab the attention of everyone on the road. For its vehicle category (BEVs), the attractive EV6 sits well below the average MSRP, which makes it a worthy investment when purchasing a pre-owned one.
Come in Today and Explore Our Vast Used Kia Inventory
The people have spoken, and Kia is one of the best brands to shop used. A pre-owned Kia will come with an incredible price tag, but no part of it will make you feel like you’re in an outdated vehicle. Kia is always pushing the envelope and innovating in the areas of technology and safety, so recent-year-used models are a ton of fun to explore. Modern drivers have modern needs and certain expectations, even of used vehicles.
If you want a pre-owned vehicle that feels fresh, explore our huge inventory of used Kia models. We’re rolling more onto our lot daily and have a friendly sales team who would love to help you find yours. We’re experts in the Kia lineup, so tell us a bit about what features you’re after, and we’ll know which models on our lot meet your needs. Visit us today at Lupient Kia Brooklyn Park for an amazing deal on a used Kia!
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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.