What's New for Kia in 2022?

Model-year 2022 brings Kia’s first dedicated electric vehicle, a redesigned and renamed SUV, and the first plug-in hybrid electric version of its Sorento three-row SUV. Kia also has gotten a jump on 2023 by revealing a redesign of its Sportage compact SUV that will go on sale early 2022.

Related: 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid: Kia Launches First Mainstream 3-Row PHEV

In addition to its new, more stylish badge, the automaker also plans some refinements and feature updates for the rest of the lineup. Here’s a look at what else is coming from Kia in 2022.

All-New Models

2022 EV6

Kia’s first battery-only vehicle shares a new platform, technology and SUV-ish shape with the coming Ioniq 5 EV from sibling brand Hyundai. But befitting Kia’s image as the more fun sibling, the 2022 EV6 will have a GT version to take on performance models of the Ford Mustang Mach-E or Tesla Model Y with output of 576 horsepower and a Kia-estimated 0-60-mph time of about 3.5 seconds. Kia says the EV6 will show up at dealers in all 50 states in early 2022. The higher-performance EV6 GT won’t show up until late 2022.

The new EV will offer single-motor rear-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive, with either a 58.0-kilowatt-hour battery or 77.4-kWh battery. Output for non-GT versions spans from 167 hp to 313 hp. Kia estimates a competitive all-electric range in the 300-mile territory for the larger 77.4-kWh battery; at the time of this writing, EPA official estimates have not been posted. The EV6 will support 50-kilowatt to 350-kW DC fast chargers.

Cars

2022 Forte

Kia’s compact sedan gets mild tweaks to the front and rear along with some tech updates that make it more competitive. Also, Kia dropped the EX trim level. The standard 8-inch touchscreen now includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trim levels get a new 10.25-inch screen (which does not, however, allow wireless smartphone integration). For safety tech, lane-centering steering is newly standard and standard automatic braking adds pedestrian detection, with cyclist detection optional. Also now available is a rear cross-traffic alert system and navigation-based adaptive cruise control.

2022 K5

Kia’s mid-size K5 sedan, redesigned and renamed for 2021 (remember the Optima?), carries over for its sophomore year with only minor tweaks that include added convenience features, such as a 360-degree camera system; additional wireless chargers; and standard navigation for the higher GT-Line, EX and GT trim levels.

2022 Rio

Kia’s Rio subcompact sedan and hatchback carry over virtually unchanged for 2022.

2022 Soul

The boxy Soul hatchback largely carries over for model-year 2022 with some feature updates. The S, X-Line and GT-Line will have a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, wireless smartphone charging and dual USB ports. The base LX’s manual transmission is dropped, and the LX gains a Technology Package option that bundles 16-inch alloy wheels with safety and driver assistance features that include automatic emergency braking, a blind spot monitor and lane change assist.

2022 Stinger

The RWD and AWD Stinger sport sedan gets a substantial freshening for 2022 with more standard power and tech upgrades. It also looks a little more aggressive thanks to new LED headlights and taillights, new wheel designs and new exhaust tips. The updated powertrain for the base GT-Line is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder putting out 300 hp, up 45 hp, and output of the twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6 for the top two trim levels is 368 hp, up from 365.

The 2022 interior gets upgraded trim, a new design for the available leather seats and a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen system (up from 8 inches) with navigation. Also, now standard on all versions is safety and driver assistance tech, including automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, blind spot collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control that works with the navigation system to adjust speed to changes in posted limits and to slow the car ahead of curves. A new Scorpion Package for the top GT2 trim level includes a rear spoiler, dark exhaust tips, carbon-fiber interior trim, and black wheels and side mirror caps.

SUVs

2022 Niro

The Niro line of electrified small SUVs with hybrid, PHEV and EV powertrains was refreshed for 2020 and is mostly unchanged for 2022. Newly standard for the EV version is a 10.25-inch touchscreen bundled with navigation and premium audio.

2022 Seltos

The subcompact Seltos SUV expands safety and multimedia tech availability and adds a new trim level for 2022. All trim levels now will have a standard bundle of safety tech including automatic forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist and automatic high beams. All but the base LX trim level now will have a 10.25-inch touchscreen system and automatic climate control. A new Nightfall Edition AWD trim level includes standard matte-black 18-inch wheels, a black grille, darkened roof rails and lower-body side cladding. The top SX AWD trim level gets a flat-bottom steering wheel and an available Plum interior color.

2022 Sorento

Kia’s three-row Sorento was redesigned for 2021 with gasoline and hybrid versions, and model-year 2022 brings a PHEV version with standard AWD, an EPA-estimated 32 miles of all-electric range and a gas-only combined rating of 34 mpg. Also new for 2022, the Sorento Hybrid will be available with AWD. A 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen with navigation is standard on all but the base LX trim level. The Sorento X-Line Package, which comes with more rugged appearance details and AWD, now will be offered on the mid-range S and EX trims in addition to the top SX Prestige level. That top trim also adds standard front memory seats with 14-way power adjustment, a thigh extender and heated captain’s chairs in the second row.

2022 Sportage

The Sportage carries over for a short 2022 model year ahead of the promised arrival in early 2022 of the redesigned 2023 Sportage. Among the few 2022 changes is a Value Edition Package for the base LX trim that adds 18-inch dark-gray wheels, heated seats and push-button start; a standard panoramic moonroof joins the EX trim level. Also, the Nightfall Edition, which comes with a blacked-out appearance package, replaces the S as the second-tier trim level.

2022 Telluride

The biggest question for 2022 about the Telluride mid-size, three-row SUV might be how to get one, as the model has remained in short supply since its 2020 debut. But it does get a few changes for the 2022 model year, including an updated grille design. Also, the base LX and S trim levels add a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, automatic climate control and Kia’s Highway Driving Assist. The S trim level also gets wireless phone charging, and all trims get navigation-based adaptive cruise control.

Vans

2022 Carnival

Kia not only is staying in the minivan business, it doubled down for 2022 with the Carnival, an all-new design with a new name that replaces the outgoing Sedona. It comes with boxy SUV-like styling; a long list of standard comfort and safety features; and an affordable entry price. A peppy V-6 is the only powertrain; neither AWD nor a hybrid version are offered, even though some rivals do offer them. A signature family feature is the clever Slide-Flex second row with three seats that recline independently, with a slick middle seat that slides forward and back or folds down as a table.

More From Cars.com:

• 2023 Kia Sportage Revealed With More Room, More Power, More Style
• 2022 Kia EV6 Makes U.S. Debut With 576-HP GT Model
• 2022 Kia Forte Refreshed With More Tech, Slightly New Looks
• 2022 Kia Telluride Gets Bolder Grille, Bigger Touchscreen for Lower Trims and More
• Can’t Find or Afford a Kia Telluride? The Sneakily Good Sorento Is Waiting

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