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Feb 4, 2025

Every driver has fond memories of two milestones: getting their license and purchasing their first vehicle. Picking the right car for a first-time buyer can sometimes be challenging in a marketplace with countless different makes and models. Luckily, no other brand is better for first-time vehicle buyers than Kia. Kia vehicles are known for their style, sustainability, and an abundance of safety features.

Here at Lupient Kia Milwaukee, as a used Kia dealer specializing in helping drivers make important choices, we’ve helped many first-time buyers find the right vehicle. There are many reasons why choosing a Kia for your first vehicle is ideal. Today, we’re examining how Kia offers everything a driver could ask for in one convenient package. 

Kia Soul: Getting Around Town in Comfort

If you live in an urban area with stop-and-go traffic patterns and narrow parking spaces, having a vehicle that can handle both conditions is crucial. For a first-time buyer who’s looking for an agile and economical vehicle, we recommend the Kia Soul. Examples produced since 2020 benefit from an economical powertrain that produces 147 hp, perfect for getting around town, and thanks to an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 29 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway, you’ll have a great opportunity to go farther in between fill-ups. 

The Soul also has multiple technologies accessible via the vehicle’s infotainment screen, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. While the Soul might be a subcompact SUV, it provides seating for five and can also transport up to 62.1 cu.ft. of cargo when necessary. 

Kia Rio: Four Doors and Fun for First-Time Buyers

For many first-time buyers, practicality and pragmatism go hand in hand with shopping for something affordable. The subcompact Kia Rio, which was in production until last year, provides all these factors and more. Finding a used Kia Rio for sale is relatively easy, and it’s an excellent choice for first-time buyers who prefer practicality. 

Much like the Kia Soul, the Rio is equipped with a powertrain that emphasizes economy. The 2020 Rio introduced a 1.6L four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT, making it ideal for driving in the city. The rankings given to the Rio by the EPA are exceptional, showing that drivers can achieve 33 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway. In addition to the economical powertrain, the 2021 Rio has an eight-inch infotainment screen that provides wireless connectivity to Apple and Android products. Buying a used Rio is an excellent choice for a first-time car buyer; you’ll save money on upfront costs and at the pump.

A silver 2020 Kia Rio is shown driving on a city street.

Kia Sportage: A Different Type of SUV

For the first-time vehicle buyer who’s looking for an SUV that seamlessly blends style and substance together, the Kia Sportage might be the best option. The compact Sportage offers many of the attributes that the modern SUV owner enjoys, such as seating for five, plenty of cargo room, and a powertrain that’s designed with conservative fuel consumption in mind. Besides the practical and pragmatic offerings that have made the Sportage an exceptional choice for many first-time buyers, Kia’s compact SUV also offers a unique style that allows you to make a memorable first impression wherever you go. 

First introduced in 1993, the Kia Sportage was most recently redesigned for the 2023 model year. The latest version comes with a four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which offers agile handling and the added bonus of towing up to 2,500 lbs. Fuel economy testing conducted by the EPA was quite favorable, as the 2023 Sportage achieved 25 MPG in the city, a number that increased to 32 MPG on the highway. The Sportage comes standard with front-wheel drive, but drivers who enjoy light off-roading and more control on slippery roads can find one with all-wheel drive. 

Style and economy aside, this SUV also has an available 12.3-inch digital touchscreen that allows users to access a multitude of items, such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Purchasing a used model doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the modern features you are interested in.

Kia Forte: Style and Substance in a Sedan 

Just because you’re a first-time buyer doesn’t mean you have to eliminate style from the selection process. The Kia Forte is an excellent option for those who enjoy the practicality and pragmatic features of a four-door sedan but also enjoy the ability to make a stylish first impression. Introduced in 2010, the Forte was Kia’s answer to the Honda Civic, a vehicle often recommended to many first-time buyers, and Kia outclassed its most notable competitor. Exhibiting an exterior design that allows the car to stand out in a crowd, the Forte is a great choice for drivers who enjoy traveling farther for less. 

EPA estimates for the redesigned 2019 model were incredibly favorable, with Forte owners achieving 31 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway for a total of 35 MPG combined. Besides the practical powertrain, the Forte comes with plenty of tech-savvy features that any first-time buyer can take full advantage of, such as an available 10.25-inch infotainment screen that provides connectivity to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. First-time buyers who want a practical vehicle with nice extras will feel at home in the Kia Forte. 

Kia Seltos: Super-Fun and Subcompact 

We began our list of vehicles with the Kia Soul, an excellent vehicle that provides agile handling and all the features of a larger SUV in a smaller package, making it ideal for first-time buyers. The Kia Seltos is just as practical and pragmatic a choice for first-time buyers looking for the advantages found in an SUV. The Seltos is slightly larger than the Soul, making it ideal for drivers who need a little more room to stretch their legs and accommodate multiple errands around town. 

Introduced in 2021, the Seltos provides drivers with exhilarating and economical performance. Most trims have standard all-wheel drive, allowing commuters to exert control over the road and tackle the wintery road conditions Milwaukee drivers are all too familiar with. An optional turbocharged powertrain is paired with a dual-clutch transmission to facilitate sporty driving, and EPA rankings showed the 2021 Seltos could achieve 29 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway for a total of 27 MPG combined. 

As is the case for the rest of Kia’s fleet, a tech-savvy infotainment screen keeps you connected to your favorite apps and available features such as navigation and a Bose stereo system. For these reasons and many more, we feel that the Seltos is not only a good option for first-time buyers but also an ideal choice for students heading off to college, particularly for its agile handling and multiple tech-savvy features for the student on the go. 

A yellow 2021 Kia Seltos is shown driving through an intersection.

A Fleet of Vehicles Ideal for First-Time Buyers 

For many years, no other brand has been more relied on for safety and sustainability than Kia. For the first-time vehicle buyer who’s looking for practicality, economy, sophistication, and something they can invest in, a used Kia vehicle is the ideal choice. At Lupient Kia Milwaukee, you’ll find a vast selection of used Kia vehicles, including the ones we’ve just mentioned and others from across the fleet. Our team of experts will lend their knowledge and expertise to assist you in choosing the right one that can go the distance and give you several years of joy.

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