980 used Kia cars for sale

At Arnold Clark, we’re committed to offering the best used Kia deals, guaranteed. And if you find a better used Kia deal elsewhere, we’ll give you back double the difference.

Kia overview

Founded in 1944, the Kia Corporation – widely known as Kia – is a South Korean vehicle manufacturer. It is Korea’s oldest manufacturer, second only in size to its parent company, Hyundai Motor Company. With a reputation for building high-quality, reliable and affordable vehicles, Kia is now one of the most popular automotive brands in the UK.

Originally, Kia was founded as Kyungsung Precision Industry, a manufacturer of steel tubing and bicycle parts, and in 1951 it produced Korea’s first domestic bicycle. A year later, it changed its name to Kia Industries and began producing motorcycles, trucks and, in the 1970s, cars. Pronounced kee-yah in English, the name Kia derives from a combination of Sino-Korean characters that mean ‘to arise’ and ‘Asia’ – meaning ‘rising from Asia.’

Popular Kia models

Used Kia cars are popular on the UK market, appealing to a range of buyer profiles – from family drivers seeking space and comfort, to eco-minded buyers seeking reliable EVs or hybrids. One of Kia’s most popular models is the Picanto. Launched in the mid 2000s, it has remained an ever-present feature in Kia’s lineup. A sleek yet affordable offering, its Mk3 was voted What Car?’s Best Value Car in 2020.

The Kia Rio is a subcompact model in the South Korean manufacturer’s line up, and another main stay since its launch in 2000. Its Mk4 is its most stylish and practical iteration, serving as a family car with plenty of tech to match its modern design. Another of Kia’s compact models is the Ceed. Similarly practical to other members of the Kia cohort, the Ceed is larger than the Rio, and comes with mild hybrid technology.

Kia’s most popular car in recent years has been the Sportage, a compact SUV. Like many of the manufacturer’s models, the Sportage has been on the roads for more than two decades and has seen major developments across its five generations. With a plush interior and ample space throughout, the Mk5 won the What Car? Award for Best Family SUV in 2023.

One of Kia’s newest models is the Niro, a compact crossover SUV. First launched in 2016, the Niro made headlines when it won the Guinness World Record in the same year for the lowest fuel consumption by a hybrid vehicle. A Mk2 was launched in 2021 with an all-electric motor. Another of its new-form SUVs is the Kia Stonic. Launched a year after the Niro, the Stonic is a direct rival to the likes of the Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008 thanks to its modern design and agile handling on urban roads.

With both a five-seater and seven-seater option, the Kia Sorento is one of the manufacturer’s most iconic models. With a huge space offering, the Sorento has the power and the practicality to set it apart as one of the most family-friendly cars on the market, winning numerous awards in this vein since its release in 2020. It received a facelift in 2023, with a host of ultra-modern tech features added to improve comfort and enhance driver assistance.

Manufacturer awards

Named Manufacturer of the Year at the 2023 AM Awards, Kia has built an excellent global reputation for reliability and low maintenance. It is also spearheading the charge for the electric vehicle market. With various sustainable options, from hybrids to fully electric cars, buyers can choose from the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid to the Niro EV, Soul EV or the EV6. Models span family-sized SUVs to hatchbacks and the sporty EV6, so Kia has electric options for all buyers. The success of Kia’s eclectic EV mix is demonstrated by its Soul EV winning Best Value Electric Car at the Auto Trader New Car Awards in 2023, while the EV6 won New Car of the Year.

Alongside its pioneering electric options, Kia’s innovation extends to its wealth of impressive driver assist and comfort features that buyers might expect from luxury brands like Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz. Across its mid- and higher-entry trim levels, newer models are equipped with high-tech kit like a 360-degree view parking monitor or Kia’s Heads-up Display that collects real-time driving information like speed limits, blind spot information and navigation instructions. Plus, you can expect premium Kia options to include a JBL Premium Sound System equipped with Harman Clari-Fi technology for an optimised audio experience.

Kia frequently asked questions

Whether you’re looking to finance a Kia or purchase one, we have a wide range of second-hand Kia cars available to buy online safely with Click & Collect and home delivery options available.

Click here to browse all our Kia models.