Home > How Much Horsepower Do You Need?
New Kia Inventory
Book A Test Drive
Horsepower in a car is often the first thing we look for. Generally, more power equals more speed, which can add to the fun of the experience. However, speed and horsepower are complex, deeper virtues that don't work alone. Fuel efficiency, aerodynamic drag, and weight-based factors also play a significant role. Keep reading to dive into the world of horsepower and speed and how it reflects on the powerful new Kia lineup.
What Is Horsepower?
The concept of horsepower stretches back to the 18th century. Horsepower as a measurement came about as a way to display the capabilities of newly created steam engines compared to the era's main engine: the horse. At its simplest, horsepower is a way to measure how quickly mechanical work is performed.
Looking deeper, the measurement referenced one horse moving a 550-pound weight one foot high in one second; that's one horsepower by the books. Of course, horses vary in strength, and certain horses can even produce a few horsepower. However, this standard set the pace, and we still use it today.
Now that we know what horsepower is, what does it do?
An engine needs to move your car's weight over sustained periods, so when you hear of horsepower, think of it as your engine's ability to move that weight continuously. Keep in mind that aerodynamic drag adds to that weight, making your engine need to work harder at higher speeds; horsepower in a car must be optimized to overcome this increased force.
How Much Horsepower Do You Need?
If your driving is limited to crowded city streets, you don't need much horsepower. However, most of us need to be able to hit highway speeds. The average car horsepower is optimized to go that fast at a minimum. However, before we explore what makes for good horsepower output, we have to consider efficiency.
A smaller engine will typically require less fuel, and if you can squeeze more power out of it, you get a more eco-friendly way to enjoy the show-horse stable under your hood. A larger engine, however, will lay its power down more consistently, giving you a faster off-the-line response and smoother up-to-speed action; fuel efficiency may be sacrificed, though.
Therefore, consider the engine layout and size when contemplating a vehicle’s horsepower. You should also factor in the vehicle's power-to-weight ratio, as it determines how much weight each horsepower has to move.
The average SUV weighs around 4,800 pounds; 120 horsepower in an SUV of this weight is not good for speed or efficiency. However, 120 horsepower in the 2022 Kia Rio with its 2,767-pound curb weight gives a good balance of acceleration and fuel efficiency.
| Is 98 horsepower good? | We wouldn't recommend taking cars with under 100 horsepower on the highway, but it'll be good enough for city-limited subcompact cars. |
| Is 130 horsepower good? | This power level is great for subcompact models; a compact car with 130 horsepower will provide good highway capabilities. |
| Is 140 horsepower good? | The extra 10 horsepower can make a significant difference. Most compact cars with 140 horsepower are good for city efficiency and highway speeds. |
| Is 147 horsepower good? | 147 horsepower is a great, highly versatile output for compact or subcompact cars and a good level for crossover SUVs. |
| Is 250 horsepower good? | For cars or crossover SUVs, 250 horsepower is more than good; it's a great output that can walk the fine line between high performance and high MPG. |
How Much Horsepower Is Fast?
Everyone has a different definition of a "fast." The new Kia K5 is considered quick by most drivers but will feel genuinely supersonic if you've only driven older, heavier vehicles like a 1980s truck. "Old" and "heavy" are two critical factors behind speed.
Consider for a moment the swan-song of America's muscle-car Golden Age: the 1971 Plymouth Barracuda powered by a 426 cubic-inch V-8 engine. It made a whopping 425 horsepower and launched from 0 to 60 mph in around 5.6 seconds.
The 2022 Kia K5 sedan tops out at "only" 290 horsepower, which is well above the average car horsepower for 2022, but far below those V-8 beasts; yet the K5 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds.
The Barracuda in question is a heavier, much less aerodynamically efficient vehicle, using older component designs with far less mechanical efficiency than the cutting-edge engineering of a K5. So, it’s an incomplete question when someone asks, "What is good horsepower for going fast?" They should ask, "What is a good car for going fast?"
More horsepower in a car will make it faster, but the rest of the vehicle is responsible for taking that speed to the extreme.
How Much Horsepower Is Fast?
| Is 200 horsepower fast? | This is a good balance of efficiency and speed for both smaller crossover SUVs and compact cars. |
| Is 220 horsepower fast? | 220 horsepower in a car is enough of a boost to enter "fast" territory without diminishing MPGs. |
| Is 275 horsepower fast? | 275 horsepower is where thrills begin, and speed starts to take priority over efficiency. |
| Is 350 horsepower fast? | 350 horsepower in a car is rarely not considered fast; the thrills reach roller-coaster levels here. |
| Is 370 horsepower fast? | 370 horsepower can unlock seat-pinning 0-60 mph times and track-ready performance that only sports cars can touch. |
Torque vs. Horsepower: What’s The Difference?
Torque vs. horsepower is like weightlifting vs. running. Torque comes in as a measurement of how much force is applied during that work.
You can think of torque and horsepower like this: Torque will achieve a lower 0-60 mph time, and horsepower will achieve a higher top speed.
To be precise, horsepower in a car moves the weight along, and torque is how forcefully said weight is moved. Torque matters when you're at a standstill, as a lot of force is needed to get your car moving. However, horsepower matters more once you're traveling at speed, as your car already has built-up momentum and needs continued application of force.
It's also why horsepower in a truck often matters less than torque, as heavyweight hauling jobs come first.
The takeaway, at a glance, is that torque and horsepower must be balanced, and you need both to have a good time behind the wheel.
Kia Horsepower
We've discussed the ins and outs of horsepower in a car, so now let's look at horsepower in a Kia car or SUV:
- New Kia Rio: 120 horsepower
- New Kia Niro: 139 to 201 horsepower
- New Kia Soul: 147 horsepower
- New Kia Seltos: 146 to 175 horsepower
- New Kia Forte: 147 to 201 horsepower
- New Kia EV6: 167 to 320 horsepower
- New Kia K5: 180 to 290 horsepower
- New Kia Sportage: 187 to 261 horsepower
- New Kia Sorento: 191 to 281 horsepower
- New Kia Carnival: 290 horsepower
- New Kia Telluride: 291 horsepower
- New Kia Stinger: 300 to 368 horsepower
Thanks for checking out this dive into the mystery of horsepower; swing by Gunther Kia today to experience what well-optimized horsepower in a car can feel like.
Continue Your Kia Research:
| Kia Sportage vs. Hyundai Tucson | Kia Seltos vs. Kia Sportage |
| Kia Telluride Colors Guide | Kia Sorento Trim Levels |
| 2023 Kia Stinger Release Guide | 2023 Kia Niro Release Guide |
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.