UNUSUAL CARS BRAND GUIDE
Kia Stinger GT. Photograph by Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; resized and locally hosted.
Kia model guides
Kia’s UK story began with a tiny budget hatchback and developed into one of the industry’s most dramatic transformations. These guides cover the forgotten cars that established the badge, the early European performance models and the rear-wheel-drive grand tourer that proved Kia could challenge premium marques on engineering as well as value.
Start here
Choose the Pride for Kia’s 1991 British debut, the Shuma 1.8 for an almost-vanished turn-of-the-century family car, the pro_cee’d GT for the first serious European hot hatch, or the Stinger GT S for the 365 bhp performance flagship.
Detailed Kia guides
Kia Cerato
The short-lived hatchback and saloon that bridged the Shuma and cee’d eras.
Kia Clarus
The short-lived large saloon and estate that preceded the Magentis.
Kia Magentis Mk1
The improbably affordable V6 executive saloon of the early 2000s.
Kia Mentor and Sephia
Kia’s Mazda-related first challenger in the British family-car class.
Kia Pride
The Mazda-derived hatchback that introduced Kia to Britain in 1991.
Kia pro_cee’d GT
The handsome 204 PS three-door that began Kia’s European performance era.
Kia Rio Mk1
The practical and now exceptionally scarce estate-shaped budget hatchback.
Kia Sedona Mk1
The vast seven-seat MPV that delivered maximum family space for minimal money.
Kia Shuma 1.8
An unusually styled and now extremely scarce five-door liftback.
Kia Sorento Mk1
The body-on-frame diesel 4×4 that established Kia as a serious SUV contender.
Kia Sportage Mk1
The separate-chassis compact 4×4 that broadened Kia’s UK range.
Kia Stinger GT S
The 365 bhp, rear-wheel-drive fastback that rewrote expectations.
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From Pride to Stinger
The Pride shows Kia entering Britain with a proven, value-led supermini. The Shuma records the awkward but important growth years, the pro_cee’d GT marks a confident European design and engineering programme, and the Stinger GT S completes the transformation with six cylinders, rear-wheel drive and genuine grand-touring pace.
Frequently asked questions
When did Kia start selling cars in Britain?
Kia entered the UK passenger-car market in 1991 with the Pride.
Which early performance Kia was sold in the UK?
The 2013 pro_cee’d GT was Kia’s first serious European performance hatchback.
What is the fastest Kia in this guide?
The 365 bhp Stinger GT S, with a quoted 168 mph top speed.
