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2023 Kia Lineup in Canada: Models and Changes

2023 Kia EV6 GT / 2023 Kia Sportage HEV | Photo: D.Heyman / D.Boshouwers

January 26, 2023

Performance and electrification for all

For those of you who didn't know, the Kia brand is owned by Korean giant Hyundai. So it should come as no surprise that there are similarities between the two popular brands. Several models are related, especially because of their common platforms or even under the hood, with a mutual use of the same mechanical components.

Like HyundaI, the "other" Korean auto company is well into its transition to electrification. Kia plans to add a third purely electric model to its already extensive lineup of electric vehicles over the course of this year.

Here's what Canadian consumers can expect from Kia in 2023.

THE CARS

Kia Rio

2022 Kia Rio | Photo: V.Aubé

One of the two true subcompact cars still on the market - the other being the Nissan Versa - the Kia Rio is probably the best offering in the small car segment. Not only is the design very successful, the quality of the execution is quite acceptable.

Under the hood, the naturally-aspirated 1.6L 4-cylinder engine is still in use, producing 120 hp and 113 lb-ft of torque, all mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox (LX+ MT) or a continuously variable automatic transmission (LX+, LX Premium and EX Premium).

Offered in four distinct trims, the subcompact is no longer available in sedan format, with only the hatchback version remaining in the lineup.

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Kia Forte

2022 Kia Forte | Photo: D.Boshouwers

Unlike the Rio, Kia's compact car is still available in sedan format, as well as in five-door format, which even gets its own name: Forte5. But while the two cars are separated by nomenclature, many of the components are common to both body styles.

In terms of powertrain, the Forte can be equipped with a naturally-aspirated 2.0L 4-cylinder engine producing 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, all connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The other option is to go for the GT Limited, the more expensive trim that swaps the normally aspirated engine for a turbocharged 1.6L unit that delivers 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, connected to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Note that Kia previously offered a manual transmission in the Forte, but its performance was not as compelling as the automatic units.

For 2023, the Forte sedan is available in six trim levels - LX, EX, EX+, EX Premium, GT-Line and GT Limited, the latter being the one in the lineup to go for to get dynamic handling and performance.

Kia K5

2022 Kia K5 GT | Photo: D.Boshouwers

Rumours surrounding the retirement of the Hyundai Sonata have their echo in regards to the equivalent version produced by Kia. The Kia K5 might have a snazzy nomenclature and a winning design, it cannot escape the tidal wave that is the SUV. In the shrunken segment it competes in, one abandoned by Chrysler, Dodge and Ford, the K5 still has to deal with some quality Japanese rivals.

Most of the available trims (LX, EX and GT-Line) come from the factory with a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine good for 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

The other option, called GT, switches to a much more powerful 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that delivers a more adequate 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, while the transmission is still 8-speed, but it's dual-clutch, so it's sportier than the one used in the all-wheel-drive K5. Yes, ironically, the top-performing model has to make do with a front-wheel-drive configuration.

Kia Stinger
This will be the last year for the raciest and sportiest car ever designed by Kia. Unfortunately, this cousin of the Genesis G70 didn't attract enough consumers to justify a second generation of the model. However, the result was anything but disappointing. We'll have to keep our fingers crossed that the brand's designers come back with a similar idea in an EV, once the SUV EV lineup has been filled out. For this one last year, though, you can still get your hands on a Stinger.

For 2023, Kia is offering three trims, GT Limited, GT Elite and GT Elite with the optional Sweden package. The visual differences are minimal. Rather, it's in the car's equipment that consumers will find differences.

Under the hood, the twin-turbocharged 3.3L V6 engine is the only mechanical option; the 368-hp, 376-lb-ft block pairs up with Kia's 8-speed automatic unit and the brand's all-wheel-drive system.

THE SUVS

Kia Soul

2023 Kia Soul EV | Photo: D.Boshouwers

Without a doubt one of the more unique vehicles on the road, the Kia Soul may not have the same impact now as it did when it debuted in 2010, but it's safe to say that a vast majority of motorists have an opinion on the curious boxy urban crossover, one way or another.

Over the years, with the popularity of model no longer at the levels of a decade ago, brand strategists have reworked the model range to better meet the needs of Canadian consumers.

Overall, the offering is quite comprehensive for the gasoline-powered Soul, which comes in five trims: LX, EX, EX+, EX Premium and GT-Line Limited. Under the hood, the gas-powered Soul makes do with a single powertrain, unlike south of the border where the turbocharged option is still available. The naturally-aspirated 2.0L 4-cylinder engine delivers 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, while the only transmission option is a continuously variable unit connected to the front wheels.

The Soul EV, on the other hand, gives its owner more under the right foot with the Limited version, the electric motor delivering 201 hp and 291 lb-ft of torque. The other option, less expensive and less independent due to a shorter range, has to make do with 134 hp and the same torque.

2023 Kia Lineup in Canada: Models and Changes

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