Some people consider Hyundai and Kia to be simply rebadged versions of the same cars. The two brands do have a close relationship, despite the fact that this is not the case. Hyundai acquired Kia in 1998 and now has a 51 percent share in the business. The two corporations are now regarded as sisters because that share has decreased to around a third.
Hyundai and Kia frequently use one another’s vehicle platforms as a result of their tight cooperation. Do the cars from both brands have the same engines?
In This Article...
Styling and Presence
Hyundai and Kia have extremely comparable vehicle lineups. Though it’s important to note that Hyundai has established a luxury branch named Genesis that largely addresses those gaps, Kia does provide a few vehicles that Hyundai doesn’t. Hyundai’s aesthetic is generally much more restrained and understated, with slender curves and unobtrusive round forms making up the majority of the design elements. However, compared to their Hyundai cousins, Kia vehicles have sportier style that gives them a more aggressive and dynamic appearance. In a similar vein, compared to the Hyundai model, Kia SUV vehicles have a more robust, off-road oriented look. In general, Hyundai automobiles are more likely to blend in with the crowd, but Kia styling is more angular and futuristic, designed to grab attention and make a statement.
Performance and Handling
Although Hyundai and Kia share platforms and drivetrains, we already established that each company maintains its own independent engineering divisions. This is significant because it enables individual ride and handling characteristics to be tuned for each brand of car. It’s risky to generalize given the large range of vehicles available, including hatchbacks, sedans, crossovers, and vans. In contrast, a comparable Hyundai vehicle is probably going to prioritize a smoother, but disconnected-feeling ride, whilst you will probably find that Kia vehicles provide more dynamic, engaging handling qualities. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but in our opinion, Kia automobiles’ special chassis tuning significantly increases fun.
Price and Value
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. Although the Forte is less priced, Kia didn’t scrimp on quality or features. 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.
The Kia Advantage
In conclusion, Kia cars offer greater value and better quality, with bolder style and a more dynamic driving experience, even though Kia and Hyundai offer comparable vehicles. 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.
Hyundai a Kia vehicle?
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 are separate companies, Kia Motors is a subsidiary of Hyundai. The distinction between Kia and Hyundai is that each brand has its own brand philosophies to build its vehicles in a distinctive manner.
Is the Hyundai Sonata the same vehicle as the Kia Optima?
Due to their shared parent corporation, the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata utilize the same platforms, motors, and dimensions. The Sonata is the more affordable variant of the two, while higher end Optima vehicles provide more features, elegance, and performance.
Is Kia up to par with Toyota?
According to a J.D. Power research from 2019, Kia has the highest initial quality in the non-premium segment in the United States. The 2016 Kia Soul, 2016 Toyota Corolla, Prius, and Prius V were all rated as being among the most dependable vehicles on the road by J.D. Power.
What distinguishes Kia and Hyundai from one another?
Hyundai delivers a more opulent and flowing style, whereas Kia creates cars with a sportier look. With a little more varied assortment of cars, Kia’s inventory includes a minivan, the Sedona, which reaches a wider target demographic. Hyundai, meantime, sells a line of high-end vehicles under the Genesis brand.
Two of Hyundai’s smallest vehicles, the Rio and Accent, have base prices that start at $16,050 and $15,395 respectively, making them marginally more affordable than Kias. However, the Hyundai Venue, which made its US debut in 2019, costs $18,750 more than the Kia Soul, which costs $17,590.
Is the Kia Forte the same vehicle as the Hyundai Elantra?
Two little four-door sedans, the Kia Forte and the Hyundai Elantra, are quite similar to one another. Each vehicle has front-wheel drive. Each is produced by a unit of Korea’s biggest carmaker, Hyundai-Kia.
Both the standard and optional engines in these two automobiles are similar. The standard output of the Forte and Elantra is 147 horsepower, with options for up to 201 horsepower.
Small aesthetic differences between the Kia Forte and the Hyundai Elantra can be blamed for the extremely slight discrepancies in cargo space and trunk area. The Forte’s interior volume is 96.2 cubic feet smaller than the Elantra’s, which is 95.8 cubic feet. The Forte has 14.9 cubic feet of trunk space, while the Elantra offers 14.4 cubic feet.
One of the best warranties in the industry, the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty is offered on both the Forte and the Elantra.
The choice between the Kia Forte and the Hyundai Elantra mostly depends on personal preferences. Do you favor one over the other in terms of outside styling, interior design, or paint color? Or perhaps a dealer for one brand is better or more accessible. Look over your choices and purchase what you like.
Like the Hyundai Sonata, which Kia model?
Midsize cars Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima are both produced under the Hyundai-Kia banner. Both of them have front-wheel drive. They aren’t precisely the same, yet they are very similar in certain ways. While the Optima debuted brand-new in 2016, the Sonata underwent a facelift for 2018.
Both the Hyundai Sonata and the Kia Optima offer the same engine options. Both come with an 185 horsepower basic engine and a 245 horsepower turbocharged engine as options. A hybrid version and a plug-in hybrid version are both available as two green options.
One or the other performs very well in specific areas. The Sonata has a larger trunk, while the Optima has more rear headroom. Sonata’s improved ride and handling are a result of steering and rear suspension upgrades that the older Kia platform does not yet have.
The Sonata and the Optima do, however, share a lot of important characteristics. Both vehicles have 7-inch touchscreens with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Both vehicles offer standard blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and rearview cameras. Additionally, both vehicles come with the sector-best Hyundai-Kia five-year/60,000-mile basic guarantee in addition to a ten-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Both the Kia Optima and the Hyundai Sonata are respectable midsize sedans. Test both out and see which you like better.
What are some typical Kia issues?
bulletins for numerous vehicles that have had engine issues. among the most
Owners and tenants frequently report the following Kia engine issues:
- power loss or stalling
- A knocking noise
- Seizing
- Overheating
- Leaks
- Non-collision flames
- Unpredictable engine failure [1]
Are Kia vehicles durable?
Maintaining the factory-recommended maintenance plan and taking care of problems as soon as they appear are the best ways to maintain your Kia in good working order. Any material or workmanship flaws should be covered by the Kia guarantee that comes with new and certified pre-owned cars, but these protections ultimately run out.
If your car needs repairs after the first warranty period has passed, an extended warranty might assist cover the cost of such unforeseen expenses. Kia has an extended warranty that may be purchased directly from the company, but you can also acquire coverage from third parties.
Independent extended warranty providers frequently provide more options for coverage, older vehicle coverage, a larger network of repair facilities, and more comprehensive benefits. Endurance and CarShield are two companies that we suggest.
Endurance: Best Coverage
Up to 8 years or 200,000+ miles of additional warranty coverage are possible with Endurance. Additionally, Endurance offers some of the market’s most comprehensive contracts. There are five different coverage options available, ranging from straightforward powertrain coverage to complete bumper-to-bumper warranty protection.
CarShield: Best Value
Additionally, CarShield provides extended warranty protection for cars with up to 300,000 miles on the odometer, potentially doubling the Kia factory warranty’s scope of coverage. CarShield offers a solid reputation in the market, a wide range of coverage options, and some of the most affordable contracts available.
For more information, see our comprehensive CarShield review. To get a free, no-risk CarShield quote, click the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kia is a dependable automaker. Overall, Kia receives a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing it third overall (out of 32 brands).
Both Kia and Toyota are well-known for their dependability, and both have a 4.0 out of 5.0 RepairPal reliability rating. Kias may be marginally more reliable, while RepairPal puts Toyota seventh overall and Kia third.
Kias require an average of 0.2 unforeseen repair shop visits year, according to RepairPal. This is half of the 0.4 visits per year average for all brands. You have a one in five risk of needing an unforeseen repair each year, according to this statistic.
Previously, the Kia name was associated with low-cost, subpar vehicles. This is partly because the brand’s automobiles had a lot of issues when it first appeared in the United States. Since then, Kia has made fleet improvements and has earned a reputation for having great reliability.
Yes, Kias have a reputation for lasting just as long as other trustworthy cars like Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota. Although the powertrain is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty for up to 100,000 miles, many owners keep their Kias for much longer.
who offers a superior warranty Hyundai or Kia?
By no means is Kia only a low-cost automaker, but it has quickly established itself as one of the top names with a strong assortment of low-cost cars. Because of its selection of dependable, reasonably priced vehicles and a warranty program that competes with many other more expensive automakers as well as its sister brand, Hyundai, it earns the top spot on our list for value.
Both the 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and the five-year or 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty are longer than those offered by the majority of Hyundai’s rivals. With the corrosion warranty and roadside support package, Kia narrowly misses out on surpassing its sister brand.
Kia has a maximum of 100,000 and 60,000 miles, however Hyundai allows unlimited miles on both. Nevertheless, these cover almost twice as much as the warranties offered by most other automakers.
Does Kia cost more than Hyundai?
Hyundai and Kia have extremely distinct unique design philosophies. This reflects the people they want to reach. Hyundai offers a selection of vehicles that are more suited to families, while Kia normally pitches its vehicles to youthful consumers.
The demographic that each auto manufacturer focuses on determines the variances in design and functioning between their automobiles. While Kias are more reasonably priced and made for younger car owners, Hyundais are slightly more expensive but give elderly drivers more luxury and quality.
Kia revamped their look in 2006 by hiring Peter Schreyer, a former Audi TT designer. The distinctive Kia “face,” sometimes known as the “tiger nose,” that is seen on our roadways today was first presented by Schreyer. Its distinctive corporate grille, now a recognizable Kia trademark, is responsible for its “expression.”
Sensuous sportiness, a principle to “maximise emotional values in accord with a rigorous sense of proportion, structure, styling, and technology,” is Hyundai’s current design aesthetic.
What is the Kia’s equivalent to the Santa Fe from Hyundai?
The lineups of the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Sante Fe have identical engines, gearboxes, and drive configurations. This includes a 4-cylinder naturally aspirated engine and a 4-cylinder turbo engine. Each of these engines is coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the buyer can select front- or all-wheel drive in any trim level.
Sorento: The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine in the LX and S trims of the Kia Sorento generates 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine is coupled with either front- or all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automated transmission. The 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in the Sorento’s EX, SX, and SX Prestige trims produces 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Although the turbocharged versions of this engine also come with an 8-speed automatic, they also include a dual-clutch transmission and, like the naturally aspirated versions, may be ordered with either front- or all-wheel drive.
Sante Fe: There is only a minor variation across the five trim levels of the Hyundai Sante Fe’s shared engines, transmissions, and drive combinations. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine in the Sante Fe SE and SEL produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and the buyer’s choice of front- or all-wheel drive. The 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in the Sante Fe Limited and Calligraphy has 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. It also has an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the buyer can choose between front- or all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is standard, but the top-of-the-line Calligraphy 2.5T AWD has a turbocharged engine and an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Conclusion: Based on the identical power ratings offered by the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Sante Fe’s engines, transmissions, and drivetrain configurations, there is no difference between the two vehicles. When comparing similar model lines, the Sante Fe weighs at least 100 pounds lighter than the Kia, thus the Hyundai will feel a little bit quicker than the Kia, making the Sante Fe the preferred option for buyers who place a higher priority on driving enjoyment.