Kia trim levels explained

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 5, 2026

Most Kia models use a lettered trim ladder — LX at the bottom, then S, EX and SX, with X-Line/X-Pro off-road versions and GT-Line or GT sport trims — and many add Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid or Electric versions under the same nameplate. Exact trim names vary by model and model year. CarWhere lays out 101 trims across 11 Kia models — Telluride, Carnival, Sportage, Sorento, K5, K4, Seltos, Soul, Forte, EV6 and EV9 — with dated base MSRPs, engines and key equipment.

Kia models with the number of trims in the current generation, the lowest sourced base MSRP and the trim ladder
Model	Current generation	Trims	From (USD)	Trim ladder
Kia Telluride trim levels	Second generation (2027 redesign)	15	$39,1902027 MY	LX → S → EX → X-Line EX AWD → SX → X-Line SX AWD → X-Pro SX AWD → SX Prestige AWD → X-Line SX Prestige AWD → X-Pro SX Prestige AWD → EX Hybrid → SX Hybrid → X-Line SX Hybrid → SX Prestige Hybrid → X-Line SX Prestige Hybrid
Kia Carnival trim levels	Carnival (first generation)	9	$37,4902027 MY	LX → LXS → EX → SX → SX Prestige → LXS Hybrid → EX Hybrid → SX Hybrid → SX Prestige Hybrid
Kia Sportage trim levels	Fifth generation	13	$28,9902027 MY	LX → EX → SX → X-Line → SX Prestige → X-Pro Prestige → LX Hybrid → S Hybrid → EX Hybrid → X-Line Hybrid → SX Prestige Hybrid → X-Line Plug-in Hybrid → X-Line Prestige Plug-in Hybrid
Kia Sorento trim levels	Fourth generation	13	$32,5902027 MY	LX → S → EX → SX → X-Line EX AWD → X-Line SX AWD → X-Line SX Prestige AWD → X-Pro SX Prestige AWD → EX Hybrid → X-Line EX AWD Hybrid → X-Line SX Prestige AWD Hybrid → EX AWD Plug-in Hybrid → X-Line SX Prestige AWD Plug-in Hybrid
Kia K5 trim levels	K5 (first generation)	3	$27,6902027 MY	LXS → GT-Line → GT
Kia K4 trim levels	K4 (first generation)	8	$22,3902027 MY	LX → LXS → EX → GT-Line → GT-Line Turbo → Hatchback EX → Hatchback GT-Line → Hatchback GT-Line Turbo
Kia Seltos trim levels	Seltos (2027 model year)	5	$24,9902027 MY	LX → S → EX → X-Line S → X-Line SX
Kia Soul trim levels	Third generation	4	—	2.0L IVT models → Eco dynamics → 2.0L manual models (2020–2021) → 1.6L turbo models (2020–2022)
Kia Forte trim levels	Third generation	4	—	2.0L IVT models → FE → 2.0L manual models (2019–2021) → 1.6L turbo models (2020–2024)
Kia EV6 trim levels	First generation	5	$37,9002026 MY	Light → Light Long Range → Wind → GT-Line → GT
Kia EV9 trim levels	First generation	6	$54,9002026 MY	Light RWD → Light Long Range RWD → Wind AWD → Land AWD → GT-Line AWD → GT AWD

Kia Telluride trim levels

The 2027 Kia Telluride comes in 10 gas trims, from the LX at $39,190 to the X-Pro SX Prestige at $56,790, and five Hybrid trims from $46,490 (EX) to $57,590 (X-Line SX Prestige). MSRPs exclude destination. Gas models use a 274-hp 2.5L turbo four; the Hybrid makes 329 hp combined.

Kia Carnival trim levels

The 2027 Kia Carnival comes in five V6 trims, LX ($37,490), LXS ($39,490), EX ($41,690), SX ($46,590) and SX Prestige ($51,590), plus four Hybrid trims from $41,490 (LXS) to $53,590 (SX Prestige). MSRPs exclude destination. The V6 makes 287 hp; the hybrid makes 242 hp combined.

Kia Sportage trim levels

The 2027 Kia Sportage comes in six gas trims from $28,990 (LX) to $39,890 (X-Pro Prestige), five Hybrid trims from $30,590 to $40,690, and two Plug-in Hybrid trims at $40,590 and $47,390. MSRPs exclude destination. The gas engine is a 187-hp 2.5L; the Hybrid is rated up to 41 mpg combined.

Kia Sorento trim levels

The 2027 Kia Sorento comes in eight gas trims, from the LX at $32,590 to the X-Pro SX Prestige AWD at $47,990, plus three Hybrid trims from $39,090 to $47,590. MSRPs exclude destination. LX and S use a 186-hp 2.5L; EX and up get a 274-hp 2.5L turbo.

Kia K5 trim levels

The 2027 Kia K5 comes in three trims: LXS ($27,690), GT-Line ($28,690) and GT ($33,790), before destination. LXS and GT-Line use a 186-hp 2.5L four, with AWD optional on the GT-Line; the GT uses a 290-hp 2.5L turbo with an 8-speed dual-clutch.

Kia K4 trim levels

The 2027 Kia K4 sedan comes in five trims from $22,390 (LX) to $28,490 (GT-Line Turbo), and the K4 Hatchback in three, from $25,090 (EX) to $28,990 (GT-Line Turbo). MSRPs exclude destination. Most trims use a 147-hp 2.0L with an IVT; GT-Line Turbo models get a 190-hp 1.6L turbo and 8-speed automatic.

Kia Seltos trim levels

The 2027 Kia Seltos comes in five trims: LX ($24,990), S ($26,390), EX ($28,390), X-Line S ($28,990) and X-Line SX ($32,790), before destination. Most use a 147-hp 2.0L with an IVT and optional AWD; the X-Line SX has a 190-hp 1.6L turbo, 8-speed automatic and standard AWD.

Kia Soul trim levels

The Kia Soul's last model year in EPA listings is 2025, and kia.com no longer lists it. The 2020–2025 Soul used a 2.0L four with an IVT (plus a 1.6L turbo through 2022); the 2014–2019 Soul offered 1.6L and 2.0L fours and, from 2017, a 1.6L turbo.

Kia Forte trim levels

The Kia Forte was sold through the 2024 model year; the K4 took its place for 2025. The 2019–2024 Forte used a 2.0L four with an IVT, including a high-mpg FE version, plus a 1.6L turbo from 2020. The 2014–2018 Forte offered 1.8L and 2.0L fours.

Kia EV6 trim levels

The 2026 Kia EV6 on kia.com comes in four trims: Light ($37,900), Light Long Range ($41,200), Wind ($44,800) and GT-Line ($48,700), before destination. Light uses a 63-kWh battery and 167-hp motor; the others use 84 kWh, 225 hp RWD or 320 hp with optional AWD, and up to 319 miles of range. EPA also lists a 2026 EV6 GT.

Kia EV9 trim levels

The 2026 Kia EV9 comes in five trims on kia.com: Light RWD ($54,900), Light Long Range RWD ($57,900), Wind AWD ($63,900), Land AWD ($68,900) and GT-Line AWD ($71,900), before destination. RWD Long Range models reach 305 miles of EPA range; AWD trims make 379 hp. EPA also lists a 2026 EV9 GT.

Confirm the real trim and packages of any Kia.

Badges can be swapped and listings get trims wrong. The CarWhere Kia build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Kia build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What are the Telluride trim levels in order?

The current Kia Telluride (Second generation (2027 redesign)) comes in 15 trims, lowest to highest: LX, S, EX, X-Line EX AWD, SX, X-Line SX AWD, X-Pro SX AWD, SX Prestige AWD, X-Line SX Prestige AWD, X-Pro SX Prestige AWD, EX Hybrid, SX Hybrid, X-Line SX Hybrid, SX Prestige Hybrid, X-Line SX Prestige Hybrid. Base prices for the 2027 model year start at $39,190.

What are the Carnival trim levels in order?

The current Kia Carnival (Carnival (first generation)) comes in 9 trims, lowest to highest: LX, LXS, EX, SX, SX Prestige, LXS Hybrid, EX Hybrid, SX Hybrid, SX Prestige Hybrid. Base prices for the 2027 model year start at $37,490.

What are the Sportage trim levels in order?

The current Kia Sportage (Fifth generation) comes in 13 trims, lowest to highest: LX, EX, SX, X-Line, SX Prestige, X-Pro Prestige, LX Hybrid, S Hybrid, EX Hybrid, X-Line Hybrid, SX Prestige Hybrid, X-Line Plug-in Hybrid, X-Line Prestige Plug-in Hybrid. Base prices for the 2027 model year start at $28,990.

What are the Sorento trim levels in order?

The current Kia Sorento (Fourth generation) comes in 13 trims, lowest to highest: LX, S, EX, SX, X-Line EX AWD, X-Line SX AWD, X-Line SX Prestige AWD, X-Pro SX Prestige AWD, EX Hybrid, X-Line EX AWD Hybrid, X-Line SX Prestige AWD Hybrid, EX AWD Plug-in Hybrid, X-Line SX Prestige AWD Plug-in Hybrid. Base prices for the 2027 model year start at $32,590.

How can I tell what trim my Kia is?

Badges can be swapped or deleted, so the reliable record is the original paperwork or the build record tied to the VIN, which shows the trim, engine and packages the car was built with. Kia trim names (LX, S, EX, SX, GT-Line) usually appear on the window sticker and sometimes on the tailgate, but trim levels and packages are only confirmed by the build record.

Sources

Each trim page lists its own dated Kia sources. Key references:

Kia America — models, specifications and pricing — Kia America

More Kia tools

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Kia America, Kia Corporation or Hyundai Motor Group. Kia and the model names are trademarks of their owners.