What to Look for When Buying a Used Kia: A Comprehensive Guide

Shopping for a used Kia but not sure how to begin your search? As a used Kia dealer, we have insights into all of the best used Kia models. However, what’s right for one driver might not be right for the next. Finding your perfect used Kia comes down to understanding your unique needs and how you spend your time behind the wheel. Kia’s lineup consists of a variety of body styles, each with their unique features and strengths. Below, we’re covering three common driver types we work with. If you fall into any of these categories, we’re making it easy to know what to look for during your shopping journey.

If You’re a Road Tripper

You crave getting away from the city or the suburbs and exploring new destinations as often as possible. You want to remove limitations and have the freedom to visit that unique campsite or quaint off-the-beaten-path town you heard about. You belong in the road tripper category, and our pick is a pre-owned Telluride (look out for models from 2020 through 2023). The Telluride is a three-row SUV that’s ready to adapt to a variety of terrain. Plus, it can tow a lot, making it ready to tow a large vessel behind it. 

Multiple Drive Modes

With a variety of drive modes boasting Snow, Eco, Sport, Comfort, and Smart, this feature is ideal if you know you’ll be spending time off of paved roads and possibly traveling so far as to venture into a new climate. The drive modes allow you to make on-the-fly adjustments to your vehicle’s handling to boost traction for the unique terrain you’re on. 

5,000 lbs of Towing Power

Serious road trippers know that vessels like boats, campers, and ATVs boost the fun factor and let you experience your destinations at another level. So you’re going to like the solid 5,000 lbs of towing power in the Telluride that enables you to bring that vessel with you. Modest towing powers won’t do because you’re looking to bring more than a small dingy boat or single-person camping pod.

Built-in Navigation

If you’re always off to that next new locale, then you need built-in navigation. Even though your smartphone app likely has a navigation app, you might go through no-service zones. Plus, you might just forget to charge your phone before hitting the road and require an alternative navigation system. 

Two-Way Luggage Board and Under-Floor Storage

With a two-way luggage board in the trunk, the Telluride can accommodate taller items, making it perfect for the gear you pack for your adventures. It even has a concealed under-floor storage compartment for valuables. Road trips call for a lot of stuff. It’s not just your suitcases—there are coolers, camping gear, comfort items, and valuables. These two storage features make it easy to accommodate tall/bulky items and conceal valuables.

If You’re a Busy Parent

So your days involve chauffeuring little ones between school and after-school activities and playdates. You have to keep up with the big demands of small children, and wow, they are big. Between lugging that science project to school to getting everyone’s favorites at the grocery store, your days are packed with people and their stuff. We suggest taking a look at a pre-owned Carnival, specifically models from 2021 to 2024. The Carnival is a modern and comfortable minivan, perfect for busy families. It has some of the most flexible rear seats and plenty of features to keep anxious kids entertained on the road.

Flexible Rear Seats

On some days, you need to transport a baseball team to the game, drop them off, and then transform your vehicle into a shipping container for that big run to the wholesale store. Maybe you even need to pick up your four-legged family members from the groomer and need space for their kennels. Either way, you need seats that can serve as seats when you need them, and get out of the way when you don’t. That’s why you’ll love that the second-row seats of the Carnival are sliding to allow for easier third-row entry but are also entirely removable. So you can turn that second-row area into a huge cargo space if necessary.

Dynamic Driver-Assistance Features

Everybody needs great safety features, but parents—with young passengers constantly distracting them—could really use them. When you’re facing backseat demands for ice cream stops and refereeing sibling disputes, you could use an extra set of eyes and ears on the road. That’s why driver-assistance features that alert you to potential hazards and even take over braking and steering to avoid them are a major perk. The Carnival has plenty, including Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and Lane Following Assist. 

Sunshades

The Carnival even has sunshades to create the perfect napping environment. These also come in handy when rear-seat passengers don’t want a glare on their screens when watching movies, playing games, or doing online homework assignments.

Dual-Screen Rear-Seat Entertainment System

Kids have a low tolerance for car time. You know the moment they’ve reached it because the tantrums start. When you’ve reached your limit for entertaining them with stories and songs, let this solid in-vehicle entertainment feature take over. It allows kids to stream media and even has device mirroring capability so that they can watch the same program. So you can focus on the road (or maybe finally enjoy that podcast).

If You’re a Commuter

You’re living that 9-to-5 life, tackling a lengthy commute to and from work. You spend a lot of time alone in your car. It’s all about getting you from point A to point B comfortably, safely, and efficiently. You’re a commuter, and there’s a specific set of features that will make your daily drives more enjoyable. A used Kia Forte is a great option, particularly models from 2022 through 2024. The Forte is a compact sedan that has excellent fuel economy figures. Plus, its small dimensions make it easy to park, and it is loaded with comfort and infotainment features.

Exceptional Fuel Economy

Solid fuel economy is a must-have because you don’t need a big gas bill to add insult to the injury of having to drive a long distance to work each day. Plus, you don’t have much extra time to stop at gas stations. So impressive efficiency is non-negotiable for you, and the more recent Forte models can see up to 30 MPG in the city and around 40 MPG on the highway.

Parking Guidance

It’s possible that every day, you must battle for a spot on congested streets or squeeze into that tiny spot your company gave you in the office garage. Parking your vehicle is always a hassle, so you need a model that makes this task a little easier. Kia’s Parking Guidance feature can help. It shows a clear image of what’s behind your vehicle on the touchscreen when you’re in reverse and guidelines to help guide you into a spot. 

An Available Harman Kardon Eight-Speaker Sound System

You don’t know how you’d get through these daily drives with your podcasts, music, and audiobooks to keep you company and set the right tone for the day. You drive solo, so you don’t have anyone to make conversation with in the car. You need a terrific sound system so you can enjoy your audio files even more. A Harman Kardon eight-speaker sound system found on certain model years will entertain and uplift you on your commute.

Available 10-Way Power-Adjustable Heated Driver’s Seat

If you’re going to have to sit in your car for a long time every morning and evening, you may as well get comfortable. You need a seat that adapts to your specific dimensions and needs so you don’t start each morning at your desk with lower back pain or fatigued arms. The highly adjustable heated driver’s seat will keep you comfortable.

Visit Us Today and Find a Great Used Kia 

Have we helped you understand your driving profile? Then come visit us and test drive one of the models we discussed today! Even if one doesn’t meet your needs, at least now you understand what features are best for your daily drives. We would happily show you others that fit the description. With tons of used Kias at competitive prices on our lot, we’re confident that you’ll find the one you’re looking for that fits your budget. Our friendly team is waiting to meet you and take you for a test drive, so visit us at Lupient Kia Milwaukee today!

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