What is a KN Car? A New Car Brand or An Established Icon in the Automotive Industry

If you’ve come across sleek, stylish cars adorned with an eye-catching KN logo, you have probably asked yourself whether the car brand is a new player in the automotive arena. Well, this cutting across many peoples’ perception.

According to Google Trends data, at least 30,000 people are searching for “KN car” every month. But what is a KN car? Is the car really brand new? We are unravelling more about KN car in this article. 

Is a KN Car a New Car Brand? 

No, a KN car is not a new car brand. The KN logo you’ve seen on cars is actually a new logo for the South Korean Automobile Manufacturer, Kia Corporation. In fact, the capital letters spelling out the car brand are “K,” “I,” and “A” and not “KN.” 

The new KIA logo was officially unveiled in January 2021. At the time of it’s unveiling, it came by the company’s new brand slogan, “Movement that Inspires.” 

The new logo shows the level of Kia’s commitment to innovation. It also describes how Kia is determined to become a leading force in the automotive industry.  

Unfortunately, since Kia unveiled the logo, thousands of consumers have been left puzzled and confused, as the new logo looks more like “KN” than “KIA”. The redesigned logo features a merging of the letters “I” and “A”. The line that is used to cross the capital letter “A” appears to be missing. And as a result, the “IA” in the Kia logo looks like a backward N.

Data from Google Trends show people from actively searching online to know more about KN car. Most of these people are from the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Questions that linger through their minds include:  

• What is a KN car?
• What is the KN car brand?
• What car logo is KN?
• What car has the initials KN?
• Who makes a KN car?
• What is the price of the KN car brand?

Do People Dislike The New Kia Logo?

It has been over two years since Kia debuted its logo. A section of people really likes and appreciates the redesigned logo owing to its modern and sleek appearance.

However, many customers are not fascinated with the new logo. From Twitter to Reddit, these consumers have voiced their disappointment, citing the difficulty in immediately recognizing the Kia logo, which resembles the letters KN.

Recently, a Twitter user, @Shwinnabego, tweeted, “the new Kia logo is so unreadable that at least 30k people a month search for the “KN car” ever since its debut.” Honestly, the fact that around 30,000 people per month are searching for the term “KN car” is a clear indication of the confusion surrounding the logo’s interpretation. 

Apart from Twitter, Reddit is another platform where customers have expressed their opinions about the Kia logo. In the Reddit forum “R/what is this car,” a Reddit member posted a Kia with its new logo and asked, “KN car model?” The person wanted to know if it was a new car brand. Someone commented, “Kia Carnival. It’s their new logo.” “Thanks! I can’t be a fan of it,” the original poster replied. 

In another Reddit community, “R/nonmurdermysteries,” a Redditor posted,” Have you ever heard of a KM car? Neither have I had a rough idea where they cme from. Google doesn’t give me anything useful at all. 

I’ve saw them twice in Upstate SC, both times on car transporters, close to inland port both times. Sedans and SUV’s neutral colours like red, gray or black and no discernible features besides the large silver KM logo on the backs. They were headed North both times, they appear to be brand new. 

Not super interesting but something nonetheless, I’ve seen hundreds of car brands and from what I can tell none are remotely related. Perhaps I saw a prototype of a merger vehicle, it’s been discussed before but are generally unpopular as most manufacturers are in direct competition.” 

Luckily, other Reddit members clarified that it was the new Kia logo. “I believe what you’re referring to is the new KIA logo,” one member replied. Another user commented, “KIA KIAAAAA KIAAAAAAAAA.” 

What Is Kia Saying About The New Logo? 

Kia Corporation has taken notice of the numerous Internet posts and discussions surrounding the KN car references. The company has acknowledged the confusion brought about by the redesigned logo and ha plans of addressing the issue.

A Kia spokesperson told Motor Trend, “Any adoption to something new can take time, but this change really got people talking.” 

“While we have seen Internet posts referring to “KN” reference, we believe the logo offers a fresh approach that is at once modern, easy to read, and very premium.” the spokesperson added. 

History Of The Kia Logo

Kia was established in 1944 in South Korea. During that time, the company was known as Kyungsung Precision Industry. At inception, Kia was a sole manufacturer of bicycle parts and steel tubing. Seven years later, Kia produced Korea’s first domestic bicycle, the Samchully. 

In 1952, the car brand changed its name to Kia Industries. The Kia name comes from the Sino-Korean characters “KI” and “A” according to the South Korean company. “KI” means “to come out,” while “A” stands for “Asia.” So the name KIA is roughly interpreted as “to come out of Asia” or “to rise out of Asia.”

A few years later, Kia started manufacturing motorcycles, and by the 1970s, it expanded its horizons to include the production of automobiles. The company built its first automotive plant in 1973, and they called it the Sohari Plant. It’s at this point, Kia marked it’s grand entry into the car manufacturing world.

Kia produced its first line of Brissa passenger cars in 1974. Unfortunately, the production of these cars came to a halt in 1981 after Chun Doo-hwan, the South Korean army general and military dictator, enforced industry consolidation. It was during this period that Kia stopped manufacturing passenger cars. Rather,  the company considered producing light trucks.

Kia later rejoined the automobile industry in the mid-1980s. At this time, it partnered with Ford, an American automobile manufacturer, Ford. From the partnership, Kia began selling its cars in the US in 1992.

Asia Financial Crisis 

In 1997,  the Asia Financial crisis had a widespread economic turmoil in many Asian countries, including South Korea. At this time, Kia equally experienced financial difficulties that almost led the company to the brink of bankruptcy. 

The adverse situation made Kia to put itself up for auction. And in 1998, the Hyundai Motor Company stepped in to acquire a significant stake in Kia. Today, Hyundai Motor Company owns about 34% of the company. 

Currently, Kia’s lineup consists of an extensive range of vehicles, including:

• SUVs
• Minivans
• Sedans
• Electric vehicles  

Kia’s car brand is highly ranked in South Korea as the second-largest automaker. It sells around 3 million cars worldwide annually.  

So how has the Kia Logo evolved over the years? Here’s everything you need to know:

1944 – 1964

Kia was founded in 1944, but it did not have a logo as it was primarily focused on manufacturing bicycle parts. However, the company started producing bicycles in 1951, and it changed its name from Kyusung Precision Industry to Kia Industries. 

In 1953, the first-ever Kia logo was designed. The logo featured a gear in the middle, three-diamond pattern, and another diamond inside the gear. Kia’s name was placed inside the inner diamond.  

1964 – 1986

The next Kia logo was unveiled in 1964. This logo had no similarity like its predecessor. It was composed of a green circle with a diagonal line protruding from the top. It actually resembled an upside-down letter “Q.”

It is said that the logo is a combination of the letter “O,” which symbolizes the wheel, and the first letter of the Korean word that represents the “Automobile industry.”  

1986 – 1994

The logo during this period featured the name “Kia.” The “K” had a thick line, and the lower line was shaped like a right-angle triangle. The upper line of the letter “K” was wavy and elongated on the top of the letters “i” and “a.”

1994 – 2012

In 1994, the wavy logo was out, and Kia introduced a new logo. This time, the name of the car brand was inside an oval shape. The emblem was not only clear, but it also consisted of a simple colour palette of white and red. The horizontal line in the letter A was missing. 

Kia decided to use the colour red as it represented the company’s passion and energy to serve its customers. On the other hand, the white colour stands for the purity and loyalty of Kia to its consumers. 

2012 – 2021

The 2012 logo resembled the logo from 1994. However, this logo had bold and sharper lines with brighter red colouring. 

2021 – Present  

The current Kia logo is not only sleek and stylish but also futuristic. It uses Kia’s primary colour, Midnight Black. According to Kia, the logo is meant “to resemble a handwritten signature.”

The car logo has three pivotal key elements. They represent Kia company’s confidence and commitment to serve its customers with class. They include:

• Rhythm
• Symmetry
• Rising

All three letters relate to one another. Letter “K” connects with the letter “I” on the upper line of “K,” while letter “I” connects with the letter “A.” The horizontal bar in the letter “A” is missing making the logo look like “KN” at first glance.     

What Kia Vehicles Are Currently Bearing The New Kia Logo

Now that you know that the KN car you’ve seen on your way to the grocery store is actually a Kia, you must be wondering what Kia vehicles are currently featuring the redesigned logo. Here are vehicles bearing the new Kia logo:

2024 Kia Seltos

The 2024 Kia Seltos is a subcompact SUV that has garnered widespread acclaim for its: 

• Spacious interior
• Incredible warranty
• Ultra-modern technology

Overtime, the SUV has been through a temendous transformation. This makes it ideal for drivers who want a stylish and well-equipped car.   

The car comes with a larger grille and updated lighting both at the front and rear. The cabin features an updated infotainment panel with a pair of huge screens. Its optional 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine can now make 195 horsepower.

The Kia Seltos is designed with driver and passenger comfort in mind. Both the front and rear seats are spacious and comfortable, this provides ample legroom for an average adult.

Pricing: Starts at $24,390

2023 Kia Niro

The 2023 Ki Niro is another stylish car you should definitely check out. The car is bigger than the 2022 model. Kia Niro brings a set of new features that inspires your driving experience to newer heights.

The Kia Niro offers an impressive mileage of up to 53 mpg in combined city and highway driving. Its engine is powered by a 139-hp powertrain that consist of a 6-litre four-cylinder paired with an electric motor. 

Other Kia Niro safety features include:

• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane-following assist
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert 

Inside the Niros cabin, you’ll find a range of components that are made using recycled materials. 

Pricing: Starts at $26,590    

2023 Kia EV6

The 2023 Kia EV6 is one of the most loved vehicles in the Kia lineup. The car is celebrated for its:

• Impressive electric performance 
• Cutting-edge technology 

The Kia EV6 prides itself of super-fast charging capabilities. You can charge your battery in minutes, from 10% to 80% in about 18 minutes. Its battery comes in two sizes, a 58.0 kWh and a 77.4 kWh pack. The smaller one has an EPA-rated range of 232 miles. The larger one has an EPA-rated range of up to 310 miles. 

Besides, Kia has embraced a furutustic design matters interior that seamlessly merges comfort and technology. The car features dual curved 12.3-inch screens; one provides driver information, and the other is for the infotainment system.   

Pricing: Starts at $42,600

2023 Kia Soul

The 2023 Kia Soul is a commendable choice for people who want affordable and spacious car with a touch of style. It comes with 24.2 cubic feet of cargo room. If the rear seats are folded, it has 62.1 cubic feet of cargo space.  

The high roof of the 2023 Kia Soul translates into abundant headroom for both the front and rear. The rear legroom is 38.8 inches. It’s engine is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder paired with front-wheel drive and a CVT.

The Kia Soul carries an EPA rating of up to 35 mpg for highway driving and 28 mpg for city driving. The key safety features included in the 2023 Kia Soul are:

• Automatic high-beam headlamps
• Assistance in lane-keeping
• Automatic emergency braking 

Pricing: Starts at $19,890      

2024 Kia Carnival MPV

The 2024 Kia Carnival is another Kia that we can’t forget to mention. Carnival MPV offers from comfort to innovative features delivering a truly exceptional experience for families worldwide. It also boasts of attractive looks setting it apart from other minivans on the market. 

The Kia Carnival is powered by a 3.5 litre V6 engine that pumps out 290 horsepower. It has 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space. However, when the third-row seats are folded, this car’s cargo space expands significantly to a generous 86.2 cubic feet.

The Carnival also comes with a ton of driver assistance features, including: 

• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane keep assist
• Monitoring blind-spot 
• Automatic high-beam headlamps

Pricing: Starts at $33,200

2024 Kia Telluride

With seating for up to 8, advanced safety technology, and a bold design, the 2024 Kia Telluride has quickly become a favourite among families and adventure seekers as well. It’s cabin is also spacious prioritizing comfort for all passengers. 

The 2024 Kia Telluride comes with a gasoline V6 powertrain. It’s front-wheel-drive Telluride is evaluated at 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Additionally, its all-wheel drive EPA rating is 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. 

The Telluride features a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. It also comes with many safety features, such as: 

• Rear parking sensors
• Child door locks 
• Blind spot alerts 
• Rearview camera 

Pricing: Starts at $35,990 

2023 Kia Sportage

The 2023 Kia Sportage is another car you may think is a KN car since it has the new Kia logo. This car is equipped with a huge and slightly curved digital display on the dashboard.

When driving the Kia Sportage, you’ll realize that it excels at providing a comfortable and quiet ride. The Sportage’s interior is serene and beautiful that allows you to enjoy your ride to the fullest.

Kia Sortage fuel economy stands at 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. It has another advantage of having a spacious interior accommodating up to five passengers. 

Pricing: Starts at $26,290

2023 Kia Sorento

When it comes to tackling the most challenging weather conditions and rugged environments, the 2023 Kia Sorento stands out as a reliable SUV. Kia Sorento has numerous off-road features, including: 

• Hill Assist Control
• Snow Mode

It has seating for up to seven. For turbocharged models, it offers the option of a captain’s chair in the second row. The Sorento cargo area is 12.6 cubic feet of space. However, the third-row seats can easily be folded down to expand cargo space.

Pricing: Starts at $30,090 

2023 Kia Stinger

The 2023 Kia Stinger sedan is one of the most stylish and captivating vehicles on the market right now. It comes in a sleek exterior with premium interior which is a true reflection of Kia’s dedication to blend performance and luxury. 

Kia Stinger comes in two models, the Stinger GT2 and the Stinger GT-Line. The Stinger GT-Line’s engine is 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged churning out 300 horsepower. On the other hand, the GT2’s engine is a 3.3 litre V6 twin-turbocharged pumping out 368 horsepower. 

Other features of the 2023 Kia Stinger include:

• LED headlights
• Rear parking sensors
• A 12-way power driver’s seat
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Heated side mirrors with puddle lights
• Wipers for rain-sensing 
• Self-dimming rearview mirror  

Pricing: Starts at $36,690 

2024 Kia K5

Since its inception, the 2024 Kia K5 – a midsize sedan has been making waves in the automotive industry. The car comes with an extensive suite of technology features, such as: 

• A touchscreen infotainment system of 10.25 inch.
• Twelve Bose speaker premium audio system  

The Kia K5 also has an engine of 1.6-litre four-cylinder. It is turbocharged with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The K5 economy rating stands at 37 mpg highway and 27 mpg city with it’s base engine and front-wheel drive. For an all-wheel drive, the rating drops to 25 mpg city and 33 highway. 

Pricing: Starts at $25,390

2023 Kia Rio

If you are looking to purchase a cheap and efficient car with a good warranty, the 2023 Kia Rio is a great choice. When you buy Kia Rio, it offers a warranty period of 10-years/100,000-mile powertrain. This makes it a better option for drivers who want reliable transportation and peace of mind.

The Kia Rio has an 8-inch touchscreen display that offers wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. Its trunk space isn’t as generous as some other Kia vehicles. Its cargo area is just 17.4 cubic feet. If the rear seats are folded down, the space expands to 32.8 cubic feet. 

Pricing: Starts at $16,750

Parting Shot

Hope you’re satisfied. If you have been bothered by KN car, hope you have grasped something on what this brand is all about. A KN car is not a new car brand. The KN Carnival or the KN E6 you’ve come across on the streets is actually not a KN car. It is just a new logo for the renowned South Korean Automobile manufacturer, Kia. 

The confusion is understandable, given the similarities between “KN” and “KIA” in the new logo design. But, know that the logo is a symbol of Kia’s transformation over the years and its futuristic vision. So it’s unlikely that the car brand will change the logo.