Kia automobiles are typically less priced than their Hyundai counterparts. The comparable Hyundai Elantra starts at $19,850, while the Kia Forte starts at $17,890. Kia doesn’t cut corners on features or quality since the Forte is less priced. Like Hyundai, Kia provides one of the best warranties in the industry, which is ten years and 100,000 miles. Both companies offer quality that is unmatched in the industry and stand behind their products. In the J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study*, Kia placed third for 2021, ahead of brands like Toyota, Chevrolet, and even Mercedes-Benz. Even Hyundai’s luxury division, Genesis, ended behind Kia. Only Porsche and Lexus were ranked higher among mass market brands in terms of quality than Kia. At the top of that list, Kia is, in our opinion, in good company. It’s also important to note that J.D. Power named the Kia Optima, Sorento, and Sportage as the top models in each of their respective classes.
In This Article...
SERPRESULT
The Accent, Elantra, and Venue are available from Hyundai with starting MSRPs under $20,000.
Although Kia and the Hyundai Motor Group don’t work together, Hyundai is Kia Motors’ parent company.
Too little is known about performance
Do you choose a car that is merely trustworthy or one that can pull away while all of your rivals are still waiting at the light? You want a Hyundai if the answer has to do with speed.
U.S. News claims that Kias rank higher when it comes to performance. But it was a close fight. Hyundai receives an 8.0 out of 10, while Kia receives an 8.1. This is obviously insufficient information to make a judgment, so let’s look at some additional data.
The Distinctive Features of Hyundai and Kia
Although there are several features that set the two automakers apart, there is not a significant distinction between Hyundai and Kia.
Recently, both Hyundai and Kia have excelled. They continually release high-quality goods at great prices, and they have earned my recommendation as a result. Although it may seem like Hyundai and Kia are the same cars with different branding, that is not totally accurate.
Without getting into the full history of Hyundai and Kia, it should be noted that in 1998, Hyundai acquired 51% of Kia. Currently, Hyundai holds around a third of the equity in Kia. The two businesses frequently share vehicle platforms because they are mostly sister businesses. Understandably, a lot of people believe Hyundai and Kia vehicles are identical.
I’ve reviewed a lot of Hyundai Kia goods, and if we compare the 2020 Hyundai Elantra with the 2020 Kia Forte mechanically, there are a lot of parallels. Both vehicles have torsion beam rear suspensions and strut-based front suspensions. The 2.0l port-injected four-cylinder engine in both cars is paired with a chain-driven CVT transmission. Similar proportions, interior room, trunk space, etc. are additional characteristics that the two cars have in common.
What makes a difference, then? Finally, it boils down to tuning. Typically, Hyundais are adjusted to be the cozier, quieter alternative than Kias. The design of Kias makes them the more “youthful” and sportier option to Hyundai. The prices of Kia vehicles are often lower than those of Hyundai, which aims to be a little more upscale and “luxury.”
Driving the new Kia Forte, you’ll notice that it rides a little firmer than the Elantra and has faster-reacting electric power steering. Your preference is your own, but I found that both are precisely calibrated to be acceptable on public roadways. Both manufacturers are adept at creating vehicles that are both relatively comfortable and enjoyable to drive.
Despite their similarities, the two businesses run independently. As long as we continue to receive high-quality products, I don’t believe that we, the customers, need to be concerned about the back-end logistics. Hyundai-business Kia’s tactics have helped the company change; the company has essentially made a 180 degree turn from the previous products that were created.
You now have an automotive reviewer’s response to the venerable query. Test drive each of their equivalents to determine which one appeals to you the best. But because both are so excellent, it can be challenging.
Security and dependability
Hyundais are among the most dependable cars on the market, according to Reliability Index, which takes into account the frequency, expense, and annoyance of automotive problems to present a “real-world” appraisal of car ownership. The Hyundai i10 has a 12-point index, while the Hyundai i20 has a 14-point index. Hyundais rarely have difficulties, spend little time off the road for repairs, and can be fixed reasonably cheaply, which is indicated by a lower reliability index score.
Generally speaking, Kias earn slightly lower reliability ratings than Hyundais, although they are still better than average. The Kia Rio scores 35.00, the Ceed 34.00, and the Picanto 18.00 on the index.
Hyundais are also more secure in terms of their safety features. The maximum five-star rating from Euro NCAP was given to the Hyundai Santa Fe, NEXO, KONA, i30, Ioniq, and Tucson for their basic safety features.
The Stonic, Picanto, and Rio all only scored three stars, primarily due to subpar Safety Assist ratings, whereas the Kia Ceed received a four-star rating. These ratings, however, do not account for the optional lane assist on the Rio and Stonic or the autonomous emergency braking available on all three models.
Portfolio of brands and positioning
Both Hyundai and Kia have advanced tremendously over the past 20 years, shattering any lingering perceptions of the subpar, inexpensive, and cheery vehicles they both produced in the 1990s. These advancements have been made possible by stunning designs, dramatic quality improvements, and the use of cutting-edge technologies.
Hyundai and Kia are both positioned equally in the market as mainstream brands competing head-to-head with companies like Toyota and Mazda, unlike Volkswagen and its sister brands.
In a rough sense, it may also be said that Hyundai has recently exhibited more conservative designs, while Kia has historically exhibited a more dynamic design language.
With its lineup of N models, including the i20, i30, and Kona N, Hyundai is the only one of the two to have a dedicated performance sub-brand.
Kia offers GT-Line and GT variants, but has used these names in a more haphazard manner.
Although Hyundai and Kia each have a sizable selection of vehicles, neither manufacturer is present in every market.
Micro and light automobiles (Kia Picanto and Rio), medium (Hyundai Sonata), big cars (Kia Stinger), and vans are segments in which one brand currently serves Australia exclusively (Hyundai iLoad).
While Kia is unable to introduce its similar Telluride here due to the lack of a right-hand drive variant, Hyundai also offers the huge Palisade in the large SUV class.
Although Hyundai theoretically only owns a small portion of Kia, realistically both brands share mechanical parts, such as the chassis, powertrain, and infotainment systems.
The interior and external designs, as well as the final technical adjustments made to the cars, are what differentiate them most.
One area where the two manufacturers do differ is in the after-sales service; whereas Hyundai gives a five-year, unlimited-mileage guarantee with five years of capped price servicing, Kia offers a standard seven-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and seven years of capped price servicing.
Which is superior, Hyundai or Kia?
The conclusion is that, despite the similarity of the vehicles offered by Hyundai and Kia, Kia models offer greater value and better quality, as well as bolder style and a more engaging driving experience. Simply put, no matter what you value most in a car, Kia automobiles are better overall. Of course, it is ultimately up to you to decide. We recognize that purchasing a new car is a significant investment. We advise you to test drive both brands since we are certain that you will ultimately decide on a Kia. Any way you look at it, it’s unquestionably the better option. Please forgive me, Hyundai.
Is Hyundai a more opulent vehicle than Kia?
Hyundai delivers a more opulent and flowing style, whereas Kia creates cars with a sportier look. With a little more varied selection of cars, Kia’s lineup includes the Sedona minivan, which reaches a wider target population. Hyundai, meantime, sells a line of high-end vehicles under the Genesis brand.
Hyundai or Kia, which is more dependable?
Although Kia and Hyundai both have solid reputations, there can only be one victor in terms of dependability. It’s Kia in this instance. But it was a close race, much like many of the comparisons between Hyundai and Kia. The reliability scores for both are 3.5 out of 5, making this a very tight contest. The Kia Rio, which received a reliability rating of 4.5, served as the turning point.
U.S. News and Autotrader both claimed that Kia had improved its reliability. However, Consumer Reports doesn’t exactly concur with other detractors. Out of thirty automakers, Hyundai came in sixth place and Kia in ninth. Even though the difference is small, some drivers might be persuaded by it.
Are the engines used by Hyundai and Kia the same?
Yes, a lot of the engines used in Hyundai models are also used in Kia cars, and the reverse is also true. Several instances include:
- The Hyundai Kona, Hyundai i20, Kia Ceed, and Kia Stonic all have Kappa G3LA/G3LC engines.
- The Hyundai i30, Kia Ceed, and Hyundai Elantra all feature the Kappa G4LD engine.
- The Kia Rio, Kia Ceed, and Hyundai i20 all have Gamma G4FA engines.
- The Kia Ceed, Kia Rio, and Hyundai Accent all employ the Gamma MPI/GDI/T-GDI.
- The Kia Sorento, Hyundai Sonata, and Kia Stinger all use Theta MFI/GDI Turbo engines.
- The Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento both use the D4HB engine.
- The Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Stinger both use the Lambda MPI/DGI/T-GDI.
Is Kia’s luxury brand Hyundai?
No, but Hyundai and Kia are connected! In 1997, Kia declared bankruptcy after becoming a stand-alone autonomous company. In 1998, Hyundai Motor Group made the decision to buy the automaker in order to keep it viable. Although Kia and the Hyundai Motor Group don’t work together, Hyundai is Kia Motors’ parent company.
Is the Kia automobile reliable?
Significant advancements achieved by Kia in recent years have helped to restore its reputation. Today, a Kia model is recognized as a trustworthy and useful family vehicle.
Despite not being known for luxury, the brand has advanced significantly in terms of dependability. One of a Kia’s strongest qualities is its lengthy warranty time; the majority of Kia models come with a ten-year powertrain warranty and a five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Kia outperforms the industry standard in this area, which is a three-year and five-year warranty. With extremely few mechanical faults reported by owners in the first three years of ownership, Kia gets a RepairPal score of 4.0 out of 5.0.
According to reports, a well-maintained car might last up to ten years with minimal maintenance.
Has Kia ever offered a high-end line?
The vehicle, formerly known as the K900 in the United States, is still in production in Korea and now sports a more premium appearance. The K9, Kia’s premium sedan, has undergone a design refresh. Before Kia recently discontinued it for our market, the K9 was marketed as the K900 in the United States.
Which Hyundai vehicle is the best?
- Hyundai Tucson, standard and powered. Used: 8.00L – 8.00L.
- Power. Standard. Hyundai Santa Fe. 12.00 L to 18.00 L used.
- Ad.
- Hyundai Elantra. Standard. Power. Used: 4.00L to 14.00L rupees.
- Hyundai Xcent. Standard. Power. 4.10 to 7.00 liters were used.
- Powerful. Standard. Hyundai i10.
- Active. Powerful. Standard: Hyundai i20
- Ad
What distinguishes a Kia Sportage from a Hyundai Tucson?
The identical 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is standard on both the Tucson and Sportage, although the Tucson gets slightly better fuel economy ratings than the Sportage. The Sportage can achieve up to 28 mpg combined, compared to the Tucson’s maximum combined rating of 29 mpg.