Best Used Kia Cars in India

Spinny-Kia-Carnival-Exterior-Front
Last updated 5 months ago

Kia has become one of the most desirable and reliable automotive companies in India in a comparatively short period. The brand has made an impression with its distinctive design language, high-tech features, and well-equipped drivetrain since its introduction to the European market in 2019. Kia vehicles such as Seltos, Sonet, and Carens have entered the household names in a short time, and hence they are at the top of the list among new customers in the car market. Such wide acclaim has automatically spilt over into the second-hand car market, where the same Kia cars are constantly gaining in popularity.

By reason of the attractiveness of modernity, reliability, and value retention, used Kia vehicles provide a good combination when seeking second-hand considerations. The majority of Kia models are feature-rich, including touchscreens, infotainment devices, connected car, high-end interiors, and safety packages, even at the low or mid-spec versions. The Kia engines address multiple demands and require limited costs, whether one wants a mini metropolis SUV, a capacious MUV, or a fashionable restaurant. Moreover, increasing the supply of services and parts for Kia vehicles provides extra comfort to the owner of the used Kia cars.

Why Kia Cars Are a Top Choice in the Used Market?

Kia Carnival Front

In 2019, without much fanfare, Kia arrived in the Indian automotive market with a bang with its first offering, the Seltos. Kia made its mark in India with all cars that combined style, technology, performance, and safety, all of which appealed to Indian buyers. Although a new entrant, Kia was able to carve out a sizeable slice of the automotive market through its brand positioning, competitive pricing, and overall quality. Its early success also manifested in the used car segment, as the brand established a firm foothold in the used car segment. Kia vehicles have aged well and held their value well, so they continued to remain popular in the used space only a few short years after launching.

There are several reasons why used Kia cars are a popular choice in the second-hand market:

  • Premium feel at competitive pricing: Kia cars offer a refined driving experience with high-quality interiors, stylish exteriors, and comfort features typically found in more expensive vehicles.
  • Feature-rich even in base variants: Even entry-level trims often come with essentials like touchscreen infotainment systems, rear parking sensors, power windows, LED DRLs, and safety features such as ABS and dual airbags.
  • Modern design that stays fresh: Kia’s bold and contemporary styling ensures that their cars continue to look attractive and up-to-date, even after years of use.
  • Strong resale value and high demand: Due to their proven reliability, good fuel efficiency, and brand perception, Kia cars retain value better and are frequently searched for in the used car market.

Wide Service Network Across India

Despite the fact that Kia is a young company in the Indian automobile industry in comparison to its predecessors, it has been in a position to develop a good and reliable after-sales service infrastructure. Within a couple of years, the brand has enacted 400-plus service touch points in the country, which is not limited to covering only metro cities but steadily enabling more and more tier-2 and tier-3 towns in the country. This extensive distribution assures Kia owners, whether on a new car or used car, proximity to Kia authorised service centres, highly qualified technicians and authentic spare parts.

Furthermore, Kia has launched a special service application and customer portal where users can access, create their appointment, follow their history of services, get estimated costs and even digital reports of the health of their vehicles. The company also has open pricing policies, and this brings trust from the customers, which is known to be good in the used cars market. To afford extra insurance, several old and new models of the Kia cars could still be under factory warranties and third-party covers, which makes ownership less straining and more cost-effective. All these put together make the ownership of a pre-owned Kia a stellar and smooth experience for buyers in India.

Top Used Kia SUVs & MUVs in India

Among its entire catalogue in India, Kia’s biggest achievers can be found in its SUV and MUV category by way of Seltos, Sonet, Carens, and Carnival. These models share some of the largest shares of the used car market, thanks to their eye-catching looks, distinctive road presence, roomy and varied feature-laden interiors, and reliable engines. There is something for everyone, whether short town jaunts, family getaways, or epic cross-country touring.

1. Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos was the first model that the brand introduced in India in 2019 and set category-redefining standards in a compact SUV. The aggressive styling, all of the variants, and good features saw the compact SUV fly off the shelf, reaching the status of one of the country’s top-selling SUVs. Strong base sales have also made for a good stock availability in the used-car market, making it a first pick for buyers of every character looking for a well-balanced quality SUV.

  • Launched: 2019
  • Fuel Types: Petrol, Diesel
  • Transmission: Manual, CVT, iMT, DCT
  • Mileage: ~16-21 kmpl
  • Why Buy:
    The Kia Seltos is among the most popular compact SUVs in the used market. It offers bold design, a tech-rich cabin, and multiple engine-transmission combinations. Buyers often get high-end features like ventilated seats, sunroof, and connected car tech even in pre-owned models.

2. Kia Sonet

Introduced in 2020, the Kia Sonet was an instant disruptor in the compact SUV class. The Sonet was made for urban buyers and successfully partners a stylish exterior with practical elements required by buyers. This makes it a great option for city commuters and young professionals. Its compact dimensions, quality interiors, and long list of features have meant that it has modelling resale value and continues to be a popular option in the used car market.

  • Launched: 2020
  • Fuel Types: Petrol, Diesel
  • Transmission: Manual, iMT, DCT
  • Mileage: ~18-24 kmpl
  • Why Buy:
    A compact SUV with big-car features, the Sonet is popular among urban users and first-time buyers. Used Sonet variants are in high demand for their sporty styling, excellent fuel economy, and options like wireless charging and an air purifier.

3. Kia Carens

Launched in 2022, the Kia Carens is a convenient and stylish multi-utility vehicle (MUV) built for larger families and shared mobility users. With adaptable seating configurations for either 6 or 7 passengers, an expansive cabin, and all of Kia’s tech-filled interiors, the Carens has carved a niche for itself in the MPV/MUV space. With cool contemporaneous styling and notable safety features, and at competitive price points, it has become a popular option in the used car market very recently.

  • Launched: 2022
  • Fuel Types: Petrol, Diesel
  • Transmission: Manual, DCT, AT
  • Mileage: ~16-21 kmpl
  • Why Buy:
    For those looking for a spacious 6- or 7-seater MUV, the Carens offers impressive flexibility. It is preferred by large families and fleet buyers in the used market due to its comfort and safety ratings.

4. Kia Carnival

Launched in India in 2020, the Kia Carnival has set a whole new level of premiumity in the MPV segment. The Carnival is positioned as a full-size MPV, a suitable choice for large families or for corporate and chauffeur-driven vehicle needs. Its comfortable ride quality, spacious three-row seating, and premium features have led to a large fan base, even in a relatively small and niche segment. In the used car market, the Carnival attracts buyers wanting comfort, room, and sophisticated style.

  • Launched: 2020 (pre-facelift)
  • Fuel Types: Diesel only
  • Transmission: Automatic
  • Mileage: ~13-14 kmpl
  • Why Buy:
    The Carnival offers a luxury MPV experience with unmatched space, powered sliding doors, and rear-seat entertainment. Though more niche, it is ideal for chauffeur-driven buyers in the second-hand market.

Used Kia Cars with the Best Mileage

Fuel economy continues to be one of the primary considerations for car owners in India, especially in the used car segment, where operating costs can lead to dissatisfaction with ownership over a longer period of time. And while Kia models in diesel formats perform extremely well, particularly with mileage obtainable without compromising comfort & performance, daily commuting to and from work or long-distance travel in a used Kia offers the best combination of economy and drivability.

ModelFuel TypeTransmissionClaimed Mileage
Kia Sonet 1.5 DieselDieselManualUp to 24.1 kmpl
Kia Seltos 1.5 DieselDieselManualUp to 21 kmpl
Kia Carens 1.5 DieselDieselManualUp to 21 kmpl
Kia Sonet 1.2 PetrolPetrolManualAround 18.4 kmpl

Within Kia’s lineup, the Sonet, Seltos, and Carens diesel variants are uniquely identified as the top mileage cars in their respective classes, and a favourite for consumers who average high monthly mileage. The Sonet 1.2 petrol variant does not disappoint in terms of overall good mileage for city users. Buyers who are focused on reducing their expenditure on fuel, mainly those who are frequent highway drivers, could save on their car purchases on used Kia diesel cars over time.

What to Check Before Buying a Used Kia Car?

Before deciding on buying a used Kia car, it is necessary to take a closer look at the car so that it can be in good condition and could be a good deal in the long term. Although Kia cars are mostly of good quality and reliable, it is preferable to scrutinise a few major parts to prevent possible latent problems and unwanted expenses after acquisition. The main points of the inspection are the following:

  • Service record: One should never forget to check the service record of the automobile at authorised Kia service centres. Kia has a digital service history which indicates routine maintenance, part replacement and any warranty claims, which is a good way to know the condition of the car and whether it has been serviced and maintained properly.
  • Transmission performance: Kia has a diverse choice of advanced transmission that includes DCT and iMT, particularly on the Seltos and Sonet. In case of DCT versions, gear changes should be as smooth as possible, hesitations, jerks, or the presence of overheating should be avoided, because repair work always turns out expensive.
  • Livetech/ infotainment: Kia UVO (Kia Connect) system in the newer models is one of the biggest sales points. Make sure to test all the related features such as the navigation, the remote interactions, smartphone connectivity and touchscreen sensitivity. Malfunctions may be an indication of problems in the software or prior electrical problems.
  • Suspension & tyres: There has been the occurrence of relatively stiffer suspension systems being used by some users of Kia SUVs. The test drive should be followed by observing the ride comfort, suspension noise and tyre wear, especially when the car has been used over bad roads quite a lot.
  • Recalls / software updates: Visit a Kia store to determine whether the car has been dealing with any manufacturer recall, ECU software revision, or feature update. This makes the vehicle up to date in terms of the safety and performance requirements of the brand.

The meticulous inspection of these grounds also contributes to the absence of worries and a comfortable ownership process in case of purchasing a used Kia car.

Tips for Getting the Best Deal on a Kia Second-Hand Car

To find a good bargain in a used Kia vehicle, some research, timing, along keen analysis are necessary. As the demand for the pre-owned market rises, Kia cars tend to hold their value quite well; still, with a proper strategy, one can get a fantastic bargain. These are some of the useful tips to assist you in getting the best out of the money:

  • Opt for Kia’s official Certified Pre-Owned programs: Use the Kia Certified Pre-Owned program or any other credible used car dealerships. These dealers tend to offer fully checked cars with restricted guarantees and authenticated documents, and these features minimise the risks for customers.
  • Check warranty status: A good number of Kia cars that were sold over the past few years may still be under either the basic factory warranty or an extended warranty coverage. This helps in saving a lot of repair costs during the initial years of ownership.
  • Negotiate based on variant depreciation: As much as the highest-end variants, such as GTX+, come with posh products at hand, they also depreciate at a faster rate. Turn this to your advantage during negotiation because you can get top specs at a midrange price.
  • Get a pre-purchase inspection: Get a trusted mechanic or an authorised Kia workshop to take the vehicle through a check-up. This assists in detecting transmission, suspension, electrical, or accident damage problems that are not evident.
  • Shop after festive seasons or quarter-end periods: After most big holidays or quarters, inventories grow, particularly when new car buyers trade in their cars. It is also in these periods that dealers are ready to give discounts or extras.

By doing so, you will be able to locate a well-cared and reasonably priced Kia that can give you the satisfaction in driving and value in your investment.

Summary

Kia has managed to carve out a market niche in India as a high-quality, but affordable brand, which produces vehicles that combine beauty, cutting-edge technology and family usage. This has effortlessly transferred into the used car industry, and Kia cars are still desired products because of their contemporary, well-equipped, competent features. In India, the sedan and a small-scale hatchback have not been included in its vehicles, although it has found a place in the market with the popularity of small and big SUVs and MUVs in the second-hand car market.

The likes of the Kia Sonet, which has a design that suits urban life and is fuel-efficient, Kia Seltos, which has a high-end appeal and flexibility, Kia Carens, which is spacious in case of a big family, cater to a wide range of used car buyers. Such cars are not only feature-packed but also have a growing service network in the country, which provides guarantees of tranquillity after the purchase. With impressive resale value, competitive offers, and a quality image, used Kia automobiles can be characterised as a decent and loyal investment of money by a customer who solves his/her aim of buying a second-hand vehicle.

FAQs About Best Used Kia Cars in India

  1. Which used Kia car is the most popular in India?

    The Kia Seltos is the most popular used Kia car in India, thanks to its design, feature list, and multiple powertrain options.

  2. Are used Kia cars reliable?

    Yes. Most used Kia cars, especially those bought post-2020, are considered reliable if maintained well and serviced regularly.

  3. Is the Kia Sonet a good used car for city driving?

    Absolutely. The Sonet is compact yet spacious, offers excellent mileage, and comes with advanced features ideal for urban use.

  4. Can I buy a certified used Kia car?

    Kia offers a ‘Certified Pre-Owned’ program in select dealerships, offering inspected and warranty-backed used cars.

  5. Which used Kia car gives the best mileage?

    The Kia Sonet diesel manual variant offers the highest mileage, up to 24.1 kmpl.

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