Car research is always a must-do when entering the auto market for a new car, and depending on the purpose of the car, the must-have features can vary. Maybe it’s connectivity, or price, or the total lifetime value. That last one means many things, starting with the initial purchase, covering maintenance costs, annual fees for vehicle registration, etc. All valid things to consider. Automotive publications and other platforms have been busy hosting awards over the last two months, and Vincentric recently concluded the Vincentric Best Value in America Awards. This year, Vincentric named two Kia models on this list – the 2023 Sorento PHEV and 2023 Rio.
“Both the Sorento PHEV and the Rio had strong performances in this year’s Vincentric Best Value in America Awards…The Sorento PHEV had the best fuel economy ratings and the lowest operating costs in its segment, which helped it outperform 22 competitor models and claim victory for Mid-Size SUV. The Rio impressed by having the lowest insurance cost, repair cost, and total ownership costs in its segment. ” – David Wurster, Vincentric President
Vincentric isn’t a foreign name to the Kia Corporation. In 2022, the Kia Rio S won the Vincentric 2022 Best Fleet Value in America Awards, and four more Kia models were named during the 2023 Vincentric Best CPO Value in America Awards, the Kia Rio, Kia Rio5, Kia Sorento Hybrid, and Kia Soul. It was only a matter of time that Kia landed on another Vincentric Awards list. The Vincentric Best Value in America Awards chooses the finalists based on a cost of ownership analysis at the model level, measuring cost-of-ownership using eight different cost factors: depreciation, fees & taxes, financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, opportunity cost, and repairs. Winners of the Vincentric Best Value in America Awards had lower than expected ownership costs based on their market segment and price, according to a statistical model based on the collection of data, knowledge, and insight into the auto market Vincentirc is known for.
For 2023, the Kia Rio won the Best Value for the Subcompact Hatchback segment, and the Kia Sorento PHEV also won in its class. This is the second consecutive year that the Kia Rio had been named for having the lowest total cost of ownership in the Subcompact and Subcompact Hatchback segments. Starting at $15,750 (plus destination fees), the Kia Rio is also an affordable car for many types of consumers in the market. A lineup of only two trims, the Kia Rio LX and S (starting MSRP of $17,390; plus destination fee), consumers have less specs to comb through when settling on a new car purchase.
First revealed for the 2023 model year in 2022, the Kia Sorento PHEV is fairly new to the lineup. Also offered in two trims, SX and SX-P, the powertrain is a 66.9 kW electric motor plus a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, able to generate a combined 261 horsepower. The Kia Corporation has shifted its resources towards battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in recent years. Already switching from the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) to a new platform, the automaker is definitely confident in its upcoming BEVs, but still wants to offer consumers something classic that also reduces CO2 emissions and helps the environment. That’s why we have models like the Kia Sorento PHEV and the Kia Sportage PHEV.
Want to find a new Kia Rio with the best value in America? Find new Kia models at Miami Lakes Automall.