Kia introduces a redesigned Rio entry-level car and an all-new Stinger luxury performance car this year. A plug-in hybrid version of the Niro is also new for 2018, while other Kia models see a variety of changes that are largely related to increases in standard equipment.

Detailed changes for each Kia car, SUV, and van are shown on the pages that follow, the vehicles listed in alphabetical order.

2018 Kia Cadenza

• Luxury Package for Premium trim adds LED interior lighting and a panoramic sunroof

2018 Kia Forte

• Kia has officially discontinued the Forte Koup, leaving the Forte Sedan and Forte5 Hatchback
• Cruise control is standard equipment this year
• LX Sedan Popular Package includes UVO3 with smartphone integration
• LX Hatchback Popular Plus Package includes new 16-inch wheel design, leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED taillights
• S trim gains a new 16-inch wheel design
• S Technology Plus Package adds a power sunroof
• S Premium Package is cancelled
• EX Sedan adds standard blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist
• SX Hatchbacks now include a standard Orange Color Pack

2018 Kia Niro

• New plug-in hybrid version debuts with 26 miles of electric driving range, 560 miles of total driving range, and 46 mpg in combined driving after the gasoline engine is used
• It takes about nine hours to fully charge the Niro Plug-in using a standard household outlet, or 2.5 hours using a 240-volt home charging station
• Niro Plug-in Hybrid is available in LX, EX, and EX Premium trims
• Standard Niro continues in FE, LX, EX, and Touring trims
• LX and EX Advanced Technology Packages gain a new lane keep assist system
• EX Premium Package is new, adding equipment that is standard for Touring except for the Touring’s larger 18-inch wheels
• Touring models gain last year’s Advanced Technology Package as standard equipment
• New Touring Graphite Edition is available with trendy blacked-out appearance

2018 Kia Optima

• Standard equipment includes UVO eServices infotainment system with 7-inch display screen and smartphone integration technology
• Kia makes blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking assist sensors standard on every Optima
• LX Convenience Package adds a 10-way power driver’s seat, one-touch front window operation, and laminated front door windows for reduced wind noise
• LX Turbo (1.6T) adds a 10-way power driver’s seat, laminated front door windows for reduced engine noise, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel
• New S trim debuts for 2018, equipped with 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and available with a Panoramic Sunroof Package
• SX Turbo (2.0T) gains a next-generation version of UVO infotainment as standard equipment, along with a 10-way power front passenger’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and LED fog lights
• SXL trim is discontinued, turned into an SX Limited Package for the SX Turbo and offered at a lower price
• Kia says it has made no changes to the Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid, aside from minor color and trim modifications

2018 Kia Rio

• Redesigned entry-level small car
• Offered in 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback body styles
• Available in LX, S, and EX trim levels
• 130-horsepower, 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine
• 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission
• Longer, wider, lower, and roomier than before
• Rio Sedan’s trunk measures 13.7 cu.-ft.
• Rio Hatch’s cargo area expands from 17.4 cu.-ft. to 32.8 cu.-ft.
• Available automatic emergency braking, UVO3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

2018 Kia Sedona

• New paint colors: Silky Silver and Celestial Blue

2018 Kia Sorento

• All versions gain improved headlights, front head restraints
• Standard equipment includes a reversing camera and automatic headlights
• LX trim available with a new Cool & Connected Package, and with all-wheel drive a third-row seat is standard
• EX gains a standard hands-free rear liftgate, power folding outside mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a programmable garage door opener, one-touch power windows, and upgraded instrumentation
• Automatic emergency braking is added to the EX Advanced Touring Package
• SX adds standard rain-sensing wipers and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a programmable garage door opener

2018 Kia Soul

• Convenience Package for base trim now includes automatic climate control and a UVO3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• Plus trim gains standard UVO3 infotainment with smartphone integration
• Plus Primo Lit Package replaces previous Primo Package, and adds new adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and HID headlights with LED running lights
• Designer Collection Package is offered with a new Wild Orange paint color
• A more powerful battery increases the Soul EV’s electric driving range from 93 miles to 111 miles

2018 Kia Sportage

• Stain- and odor-resistant cloth is standard equipment
• New LX Technology Package installs automatic emergency braking, a blind spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, a lane departure warning system, and power folding side mirrors with turn signal indicators
• LX Popular Package adds new equipment: UVO3 infotainment with smartphone integration and eServices technology, automatic climate control, an automatic defogger system, and a cabin air ionizer
• EX trim adds standard equipment including blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, heated exterior mirrors that power fold and include turn signal indicators, and piano black interior trim
• EX Technology Package adds heated rear seats with all-wheel drive
• New EX Sport Appearance Package debuts, installing Cool Gray leather, Chrome Gray 18-inch wheels, Satin Chrome accents, LED fog lights and taillights, metallic pedal covers, and a sport steering wheel with paddle shifters
• SX trim adds a standard electronic parking brake with an Auto Hold function

2018 Kia Stinger

• New luxury performance grand touring vehicle equipped with a 255-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine or a 365 hp twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine
• Fastback styling conceals a 5-door hatchback body supplying a 23.3 cu.-ft. trunk that expands to 40.9 cu.-ft.
• Offered in standard, Premium, GT, GT1, and GT2 trim levels
• Rear-wheel or all-wheel drive