Good News for KIA Owners: Hi-Octane Not Required

With petrol prices climbing to Rs. 321.17 per litre from March 1st — the third consecutive fortnightly hike this year — running costs are very much on every car owner's mind. One question that keeps coming up, especially among KIA owners, is whether their car actually needs Hi-Octane fuel or whether regular petrol will do.

Lucky Motor Corporation has now answered that officially.

What Lucky Motor Said

In an official statement, Lucky Motor Corporation confirmed that all KIA vehicles sold in Pakistan are designed and tested to operate on unleaded fuel with a minimum octane rating of RON 91+, as clearly specified in each model's Owner's Manual.

This means the regular Super or Premier fuel available at petrol stations across Pakistan is perfectly adequate for every KIA model in the local lineup — including the Sportage, Stonic, Picanto, Carnival, and Sorento. Hi-Octane fuel is not mandatory, and there is no need to mix it with regular petrol either.

Why This Matters Right Now

Hi-Octane fuel is priced meaningfully higher than standard RON 92 petrol. If you have been topping up your KIA with Hi-Octane out of habit or caution, you have been spending more than you need to — and with fuel prices at their current levels, that difference adds up quickly over a full tank and across a month of driving.

The clarification from Lucky Motor gives owners the confidence to switch back to regular Super or Premier fuel without any concern about engine performance or reliability.

One Important Caveat

While Hi-Octane is off the table as a requirement, Lucky Motor strongly advises all customers to refuel only at reputable and trusted fuel stations. Contaminated or adulterated fuel remains a genuine problem at some outlets across Pakistan, and it can cause engine issues regardless of which grade you are using. When in doubt, stick to established station brands.

The Bottom Line

Your KIA runs fine on regular petrol. You do not need Hi-Octane. Refuel at a trusted station, follow the maintenance schedule in your Owner's Manual, and your vehicle will perform exactly as intended.

Wondering what the new fuel prices mean for your monthly running costs or your next road trip? Use CarDeal's fuel cost calculator and check the latest OGRA-notified prices at cardeal.pk/fuel-prices.