Launched in 2017, this fastback grand touring sedan marked a turning point for Kia’s image and engineering ambition. It was developed to move the brand into the premium-performance space, combining rear-wheel-drive dynamics, a low-slung four-door body, and a design language shaped by Kia’s European styling and performance development work. From the outset, it was positioned as a serious enthusiast car rather than a conventional midsize sedan, and it became one of the brand’s most talked-about modern nameplates.
The model was notable for being Kia’s first rear-wheel-drive high-performance GT sedan and for serving as the company’s first true halo performance car. It helped establish a more emotional, driver-focused side of the brand and was widely associated with the idea of making high performance more accessible. In global heritage materials, Kia highlighted its strong reception, including major design awards and the car’s role in redefining the brand’s identity.
Across its run, the car was offered in multiple markets with a range of gasoline and diesel powertrains, along with rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations depending on region. More important than any single specification was its broader significance: it showed that Kia could build a distinctive, credible performance flagship with its own character, not merely a mainstream sedan with sporty trim.
Production ended in 2023, closing a relatively short but influential chapter in Kia history. Its legacy continued through Kia’s later high-performance electric models, which inherited some of the same role as the brand’s dynamic showcase.