High-spec models boost Kia range

New top-of-the-range versions of the Kia Picanto, Kia Rio, Kia Pro_cee'd, and Kia Sorento have been added to the Kia line-up, as the company looks to maintain momentum on UK sales, which grew by 8.5 per cent last year. Mid-range Kia Picanto 3 and Kia Rio 3 models can also now be had with an automatic gearbox.

The flagship model in the Kia range is now the Sorento KX-4 – the company’s large SUV. It is priced at £36,495 and comes kitted out with Parallel Park Assist – which can measure a parking space and park the car autonomously – 19-inch alloy wheels, and rear-side door blinds, while silver trim on its grille identifies it from more basic models. The car comes fitted with the same 2.2-litre diesel engine that features on the rest of the Sorento range.

Moving down range, the Pro_cee'd SE Tech will now be the top-of-the-range version of Kia’s European designed hatchback. It is based on the SE model, but adds a leather interior, an electric sunroof, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, front parking sensors, Parallel Park Assist, auto parking brake, and a tyre-pressure monitoring system. It is priced from 22,795 and comes fitted with the company’s 1.6-litre 126bhp CRDi diesel engine.

The Kia Rio 4, meanwhile, is the new range-topper in the Rio range thanks a huge kit list that includes leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and keyless go. The model is priced from £15,495 for the 1.4-litre petrol to £16,595 for the 1.4-litre diesel.

Costing £11,995, the Kia Picanto 4 now sits at the top of Kia’s small city car range. Your money gets you lots of kit, including everything that comes as standard on the Kia Picanto 3 – such as climate control and heated front seats – and adds keyless entry and go, an electric sunroof, and a heated steering wheel.

From now on, buyers can also choose to spec their Kia Picanto 3 or Kia Rio 3 with the firm’s automatic gearbox. The move is meant to appeal to inner-city drivers looking to take the pain out of stop-start traffic. The auto Picanto 3 comes in at £11,045; while a similarly equipped Rio 3 will set you back £15,100.

All the new models come as standard with Kia’s excellent seven-year warranty, and the firm has also launched two fixed-rate service plans – called Kia Care-3 and Kia Care-3 Plus. The later starts from £299 and equates to three services carried out by a Kia main dealer, while the latter gets you five services and is priced from £599. The plans are transferable should the car be sold to a new owner.

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