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Are Kia cars fuel efficient? Kia economy explained

Learn more about the fuel efficiency of KIA models and the models that offer great fuel economy

A yellow Kia Picanto driving on a road

What is fuel efficiency?

Fuel efficiency is a term used to discuss how far your car can travel on a single tank of fuel, whether it’s petrol or diesel.

If your car has good fuel efficiency, you can drive further because its engine setup is designed to sip fuel at a slower rate.

If your car has poor fuel efficiency, it’s likely to prioritise performance over economy. You'll end up spending more to keep your tank topped up.

Kia models are often regarded as having great fuel efficiency, thanks to some great reliable engines and overall solid build quality.

So, if you want to save money by buying a fuel-efficient car, a Kia may be for you.

How does KIA ensure fuel efficiency in its cars?

To ensure the best fuel efficiency, car brands such as Kia have spent millions on research and development to make their models affordable and the lives of their customers as easy as possible.

Kia has started heavily investing in electric cars to reduce its carbon footprint and to reduce tailpipe emissions to zero.

Other methods include hybrid technology such as mild hybrid, self-charging hybrids, and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

These electric motors run alongside the car’s engine to increase overall efficiency and the time between fuel station stops.

Kia also makes sure to use lightweight materials that reduce the car’s overall weight, meaning the engine doesn’t need to work as hard.

A close-up shot of a fuel gauge in a car showing an empty fuel tank

How do I assess the fuel efficiency of my KIA?

By using your Kia’s in-built trip computer, you can monitor the car’s fuel efficiency and MPG figures, allowing you to keep a close eye on your driving and the car’s overall efficiency.

How to calculate your car’s MPG:

1. When you fully fill up your tank, multiply the number of litres it took to fill it by 0.219 to convert the figure into gallons

2. Subtract your starting mileage by how many miles you’ve covered since fuelling up last

3. Divide that number by the gallon figure – this gives you your total MPG

Which KIA models have the best fuel economy?

Almost all modern Kia models will return strong fuel economy figures, but some will be better than others – especially hybrids and electric cars.

The top Kia models we’d recommend for the best fuel economy are the Kia Niro, Kia Sportage, Kia Soul, and Kia Soul EV.

The Kia Niro is the brand’s flagship SUV that offers great practicality and the best MPG figures.

With its plug-in hybrid setup, you can get up to 353.1mpg, placing it near the top of the most fuel-efficient cars you can buy.

The Sportage is also an SUV, but it’s the larger of the two – 10 inches longer, to be precise.

This means it’s better for practicality, and while heavier, it’s still very economical, offering up to 252mpg as a PHEV.

You can have the Soul as either a petrol or diesel, which return between 38 and 58mpg.

If you want the best experience, we’d recommend the Soul EV – an all-electric version that offers up to 280 miles on a single charge and zero tailpipe emissions.

You can cut costs even further by choosing a used Kia model, as these will be cheaper to purchase than brand-new options. You'll be able to secure a quality car at an affordable price point, and might be able to get extra features and higher-spec trims at lower prices.

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