Kia Quoris: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Kia Quoris choice comes down to three priorities. The 3.3 AT is the lightest and most economical version with measured consumption, the 3.8 AT offers between 290 and 334 hp depending on production period, and the 5.0 AT delivers the strongest performance at 424 hp. All listed Quoris variants are Sedan models with Gasoline engines, an 8-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD.

The Kia Quoris choice comes down to three priorities. The 3.3 AT is the lightest and most economical version with measured consumption, the 3.8 AT offers between 290 and 334 hp depending on production period, and the 5.0 AT delivers the strongest performance at 424 hp. All listed Quoris variants are Sedan models with Gasoline engines, an 8-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. The catalogue covers production from March 2013 through January 2019, including the original first generation and its two restylings.

Kia Quoris generations: what changed?

The original first-generation Kia Quoris was produced from March 2013 to August 2014 as a Sedan with three listed versions: 3.3 AT with 300 hp, 3.8 AT with 290 hp, and 3.8 AT with 333 hp. This is the broadest selection in the data and the only period offering the 3.3 AT. It is also the only period for which fuel-consumption figures are measured.

The first restyling ran from September 2014 to August 2015. Its two versions were the 3.8 AT with 334 hp and the 5.0 AT with 424 hp. Compared with the original range, this pairing raised the entry point to 334 hp and added a substantially more powerful V-shaped 8-cylinder engine.

The second restyling was produced from September 2015 to January 2019. It retained two versions: 3.8 AT with 334 hp and 5.0 AT with 424 hp. Their headline engine output, torque, acceleration and top-speed figures match those of the preceding restyling. The listed kerb weight of the 3.8 AT increased from 2,005 to 2,040 kg, while its rear suspension remained Independent, spring. The 5.0 AT remained at 2,145 kg and continued with Independent, pneumatic rear suspension.

Kia Quoris engine and specs comparison

Production periodExact versionPowerTorqueDisplacementFuelCylinders and layoutBoostGearboxDrive
Mar 2013–Aug 20143.8 AT, 290 hp290 hp / 213 kW at 6,200 rpm358 Nm at 4,500 rpm3,778 ccGasoline, 956, V-shapedNo8-speed AutomaticRWD
Mar 2013–Aug 20143.3 AT, 300 hp300 hp / 221 kW at 6,400 rpm346 Nm at 5,200 rpm3,342 ccGasoline, 956, V-shapedNo8-speed AutomaticRWD
Mar 2013–Aug 20143.8 AT, 333 hp333 hp / 245 kW at 6,400 rpm395 Nm at 5,300 rpm3,778 ccGasoline, 956, V-shapedNo8-speed AutomaticRWD
Sep 2014–Aug 20153.8 AT, 334 hp334 hp / 246 kW at 6,400 rpm395 Nm at 5,100 rpm3,778 ccGasoline, 956, V-shapedNo8-speed AutomaticRWD
Sep 2014–Aug 20155.0 AT, 424 hp424 hp / 311 kW at 6,400 rpm510 Nm at 5,000 rpm5,038 ccGasoline, 958, V-shapedNo8-speed AutomaticRWD
Sep 2015–Jan 20193.8 AT, 334 hp334 hp / 246 kW at 6,400 rpm395 Nm at 5,100 rpm3,778 ccGasoline, 956, V-shapedNo8-speed AutomaticRWD
Sep 2015–Jan 20195.0 AT, 424 hp424 hp / 311 kW at 6,400 rpm510 Nm at 5,000 rpm5,038 ccGasoline, 958, V-shapedNo8-speed AutomaticRWD

The naturally aspirated 3.3 AT produces approximately 89.8 hp per litre. The 3.8 AT versions produce approximately 76.8 hp per litre at 290 hp, 88.1 hp per litre at 333 hp, and 88.4 hp per litre at 334 hp. The 5.0 AT produces approximately 84.2 hp per litre.

Those ratios do not replace the output figures: the 5.0 AT remains the most powerful choice. Against the 334 hp 3.8 AT, it adds 90 hp and 115 Nm. The original 333 hp 3.8 AT has 33 hp and 49 Nm more than the 3.3 AT, despite both using V-shaped 6-cylinder engines.

Injection systems also distinguish otherwise similar versions. The original 290 hp 3.8 AT uses Distributed injection (multi-point), while the original 3.3 AT and 333 hp 3.8 AT use Direct injection (direct). The 334 hp 3.8 AT in the first restyling uses Distributed injection (multi-point), whereas the 334 hp 3.8 AT in the second restyling uses Direct injection (direct). Both 5.0 AT entries use Direct injection (direct).

Performance and economy: which Kia Quoris is quickest?

Production periodExact version0–100 km/hTop speedCity consumptionHighway consumptionCombined consumption
Mar 2013–Aug 20143.8 AT, 290 hp7.3 sec240 km/h14.7 l/100 km7.8 l/100 km10.3 l/100 km
Mar 2013–Aug 20143.3 AT, 300 hpnot measurednot measured11.7 l/100 km8.4 l/100 km9.6 l/100 km
Mar 2013–Aug 20143.8 AT, 333 hp6.8 secnot measured11.4 l/100 km8.1 l/100 km9.3 l/100 km
Sep 2014–Aug 20153.8 AT, 334 hp6.8 sec240 km/hnot measurednot measurednot measured
Sep 2014–Aug 20155.0 AT, 424 hp5.7 sec240 km/hnot measurednot measurednot measured
Sep 2015–Jan 20193.8 AT, 334 hp6.8 sec240 km/hnot measurednot measurednot measured
Sep 2015–Jan 20195.0 AT, 424 hp5.7 sec240 km/hnot measurednot measurednot measured

For acceleration, the 5.0 AT is the clear choice: its 5.7-second result is 1.1 seconds quicker than the 334 hp 3.8 AT and 1.6 seconds quicker than the 290 hp 3.8 AT. The measured top speed is 240 km/h for the 290 hp 3.8 AT, both 334 hp 3.8 AT entries, and both 5.0 AT entries. Top speed for the 3.3 AT and 333 hp 3.8 AT is not measured.

Among versions with economy data, the 333 hp 3.8 AT has the lowest measured city and combined consumption: 11.4 and 9.3 l/100 km. The 3.3 AT uses 0.3 l/100 km more in both city and combined figures but 0.3 l/100 km less on the highway. The 290 hp 3.8 AT has the lowest highway result at 7.8 l/100 km, although its 14.7 l/100 km city figure is 3.3 l/100 km above that of the 333 hp 3.8 AT.

Fuel consumption for every restyled 3.8 AT and 5.0 AT is not measured, so the supplied figures do not support an economy comparison between those two engines.

Kia Quoris dimensions and weight

Body dimensions and wheel sizes are not measured for any listed Kia Quoris version. The available comparison therefore covers kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance and fuel-tank capacity.

Production periodExact versionKerb weightGross weightGround clearanceTankWheel sizes
Mar 2013–Aug 20143.8 AT, 290 hp2,005 kg2,545 kg145 mm75 lnot measured
Mar 2013–Aug 20143.3 AT, 300 hp1,870 kgnot measured150 mm75 lnot measured
Mar 2013–Aug 20143.8 AT, 333 hp1,910 kgnot measured150 mm75 lnot measured
Sep 2014–Aug 20153.8 AT, 334 hp2,005 kg2,470 kg150 mm75 lnot measured
Sep 2014–Aug 20155.0 AT, 424 hp2,145 kg2,580 kg145 mm75 lnot measured
Sep 2015–Jan 20193.8 AT, 334 hp2,040 kg2,470 kg145 mm75 lnot measured
Sep 2015–Jan 20195.0 AT, 424 hp2,145 kg2,580 kg145 mm75 lnot measured

The lightest Quoris is the original 3.3 AT at 1,870 kg. The original 333 hp 3.8 AT is 40 kg heavier, while providing 33 additional horsepower. The heaviest version is the 5.0 AT at 2,145 kg, which is 105 kg heavier than the second-restyling 3.8 AT and 140 kg heavier than the first-restyling 3.8 AT.

Weight per horsepower helps put those differences into context. The original 290 hp 3.8 AT carries approximately 6.91 kg per hp, the 3.3 AT approximately 6.23 kg per hp, and the original 333 hp 3.8 AT approximately 5.74 kg per hp. The first-restyling 334 hp 3.8 AT is approximately 6.00 kg per hp, compared with approximately 6.11 kg per hp for the heavier second-restyling example. Both 424 hp 5.0 AT entries are approximately 5.06 kg per hp, the strongest ratio in the range.

Every version has a 75-litre tank. Ground clearance is either 145 or 150 mm, with the greatest listed clearance found on the original 3.3 AT, original 333 hp 3.8 AT, and first-restyling 334 hp 3.8 AT.

Which Kia Quoris version should you buy?

Choose the original 3.3 AT if low kerb weight and measured economy matter most. At 1,870 kg, it is 40 kg lighter than the original 333 hp 3.8 AT and has the range’s lowest kerb weight. Its combined consumption is 9.6 l/100 km. Acceleration and top speed are not measured, so it cannot be ranked fairly on those figures.

Choose the original 333 hp 3.8 AT if you want the strongest documented balance of output and fuel consumption. It combines 333 hp, 395 Nm, a 6.8-second 0–100 km/h time and 9.3 l/100 km combined consumption. It produces 43 hp more than the 290 hp 3.8 AT, reaches 100 km/h 0.5 seconds sooner, weighs 95 kg less, and uses 1.0 l/100 km less on the combined cycle.

Choose a restyled 334 hp 3.8 AT if you prefer one of the later production periods without moving to the 5.0 AT. Both restyled entries deliver 334 hp, 395 Nm, 6.8-second acceleration and a measured 240 km/h top speed. The September 2014–August 2015 car is 35 kg lighter and has 5 mm more ground clearance than the September 2015–January 2019 car. Economy for both is not measured.

Choose the 5.0 AT when outright performance is the priority. Its 424 hp and 510 Nm exceed the restyled 3.8 AT by 90 hp and 115 Nm, while its 5.7-second acceleration is 1.1 seconds quicker. In exchange, it weighs 140 kg more than the first-restyling 3.8 AT or 105 kg more than the second-restyling 3.8 AT. Fuel economy is not measured, so the supplied data cannot quantify the consumption cost of that extra performance.

Price, availability, battery location, reliability, problems and manual details are not measured in the supplied data. They should therefore be checked separately for an individual car rather than inferred from its engine version or production period.