Redesigned versions of the Forte compact sedan and K900 luxury sedan debut for 2019, along with refreshed Optima, Sedona, and Sorento models. An electric version of the Niro offers an estimated 240 miles of driving range. Slow-selling Rio and Cadenza lineups are trimmed back to add value, while the Soul, Sportage, and Stinger add standard equipment for 2019.
2019 Kia Forte
Detailed changes for each 2019 Kia car and SUV model are shown below, listed in alphabetical order.
Standard equipment for all trims now includes power-folding side mirrors, Smart Welcome with perimeter approach lighting and puddle lights, blind-spot monitoring with lane-change alert and rear cross-traffic alert, rear park-assist sensors, and LED interior lighting
Technology trim loses numerous features in exchange for a lower price and adds driver-attention monitoring, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, and lane-keeping assist
Silver and brown exterior paint colors discontinued, leaving just four
Full-size luxury sedan is completely redesigned for 2019
Exterior design philosophy called “The Gravity of Prestige”
Interior said to be a “peaceful retreat” that is “simple, modern, and comfortable”
Standard Nappa premium leather in a quilted pattern, metal or open-pore wood veneers, and Maurice Lacroix analog clock
Standard 12.3-in. infotainment display with premium navigation, 900-watt 17-speaker Lexicon surround-sound audio system, exclusive new UVO Luxe telematics capabilities including VIP service representative access, surround-view monitoring system, and 9.7-in. head-up display
Standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems suite of safety technologies, including reverse automatic braking, Safe Exit Assist, and a lane-centering system
Twin-turbocharged, 3.3-liter V-6 engine makes 365 horsepower and 376 lb.-ft. of torque, fed to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission and torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system
LX 1.6T cancelled, and turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is now standard with EX trim
Hybrid Premium is cancelled, leaving EX trim as the only offering
New infotainment systems are called UVO Play, UVO Link, and UVO Link with Navigation
Forward-collision warning system, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention monitoring are standard equipment for gas-powered Optimas
Plug-in Hybrid adds standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and reverse park-assist sensors as standard equipment
Pedestrian detection and lane-keeping assist are newly available for Optima gas-powered models
Stop-and-go capability is added to the available adaptive cruise control system
New interior color: Red and Black leather upholstery
New front and rear styling details, redesigned wheels
Minor interior updates to instrumentation and graphics
New 8-speed automatic transmission replaces previous 6-speed
New power-sliding door button on outside of sliding doors (EX trim and higher)
New rear-seat entertainment system with dual 10.1-in. display screens, smartphone-mirroring capability, internet access via smartphone, and Bluetooth headphones with improved sound quality
New Harman Kardon 8-speaker premium surround-sound system
Driver-attention monitoring system is now available
Adaptive cruise control gains stop-and-go capability
Available LED mood lighting, wireless device charging, third-row-seat USB port
Updated front and rear styling, redesigned aluminum wheels
New steering wheel, instrumentation, and revised interior detailing
3-row seating is standard on all trim levels
Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is dropped
Standard 4-cylinder engine paired with updated 6-speed automatic transmission
Available V-6 engine gets a new 8-speed automatic transmission
Smart Shift & Drive with Eco, Sport, and Smart driving modes
Next-generation infotainment systems with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available wireless device charging
Available Harman Kardon surround-sound system with 10 speakers
Advanced Driver Assistance System suite of safety technologies standard on EX and higher trim, and now includes lane-keeping assist and driver-attention monitoring
Base trim for gas and electric versions includes a standard 5-in. display audio system, reversing camera, voice-recognition technology, and automatic on/off headlights
LX trim adds UVO eServices with a 7-in. touch screen and Android Auto, automatic climate control, automatic defogging, and air ionization
EX trim includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, heated and power-folding exterior mirrors with outside turn signal indicators, and piano black gloss trim
SX trim adds an electronic parking brake and Auto Hold functionality
Base trim includes 18-in. machined-finish aluminum wheels, blind-spot monitoring system, and rear cross-traffic alert
New Sun & Sound package for base trim includes sunroof, 8-in. touch-screen infotainment system with navigation, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and LED headlights
Premium and GT1 trims add a full suite of Advanced Driving Assistance System technologies, ventilated front seats, and wireless device charging
Twin-turbocharged GT version adds a standard mechanical limited-slip differential with rear-wheel drive
GT2 trim adds standard heated rear seats and a surround-view monitoring system
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