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.
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.
Are Hyundai and Kia vehicles dependable?
While Lexus rules the premium class, Kia, Hyundai, and Toyota dominate the mass-market segment.
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According to a JD Power research, Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia are among the top five most dependable automakers. According to the survey, Kia, Hyundai, and Toyota are ranked first, third, and fourth, respectively, with 145, 148, and 158 points.
Hyundais and Kias are they the same?
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. They are connected but distinct, as you can see!
What makes a Hyundai different from a Kia?
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.
What drawbacks exist with Kia vehicles?
Kia may have improved in a number of areas, such as the electronic and hybrid market, but some of their models still fall short when it comes to safety. For instance, reviews of the Kia Seltos have been mostly negative due to the lack of safety features that are commensurate with the vehicle’s pricing.
Both hill hold and brake assist are absent. At the moment, features like an electric parking brake are rather widespread. The Kia Rio, which lacks adaptive cruise control, a review camera, and even blind-spot monitoring, is the same.
Are Kia automobiles 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.
Is Kia inferior to Hyundai?
In the auto business, there are two ways to quantify reliability: over a longer period of time (more than 90 days) (three years). Both companies receive excellent ratings, making them excellent options for used and certified pre-owned cars as well as good, reliable new cars.
- Both Hyundai and Kia have excellent ratings in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study, with only 74 faults per 100 vehicles for Hyundai and 72 problems per 100 for Kia.
- The same is true of J.D. Power’s longer-term Vehicle Dependability Study, which rates Kia and Hyundai at 126 and 124 faults per 100 vehicles, respectively.
- These two brands, together with Hyundai’s high-end Genesis brand, dominate the market for both short-term quality and reliability.
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.
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.
Is Hyundai an improved Toyota?
Cost-to-Own Toyota Hyundai cars offer a better bargain if you’re looking for the highest quality at the most affordable price. In fact, the Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own Awards crowned Hyundai the overall brand winner in 2016.
Is Hyundai superior to Honda?
Except for a few models, Honda cars dominate most auto categories. In comparison, the quality of every hybrid car from Hyundai is exceptional.
Honda is regarded as the best brand for both compact and medium-sized cars. In the compact SUV class, the used Honda CR-V performs better than the used Hyundai Tucson. However, drivers prefer the used Hyundai Kona to the used Honda HR-V, making Hyundai subcompact SUVs the victors in its category.
Overall, Hyundai vehicles are more fuel-efficient, and owing to Hyundai’s extensive warranties, you’ll spend less on repairs and maintenance.
Which Hyundai vehicle is the best?
Best Hyundai Vehicles
- Hyundai Tucson, standard and powered. Utilized: 8.00L 8.00L.
- Power. Standard. Hyundai Santa Fe. 12.00 – 18.00 L are used.
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- Hyundai Elantra. Standard. Power. 4.00 – 14.00 L used.
- Hyundai Xcent. Standard. Power. 4.10L to 7.00L are used.
- Powerful. Standard. Hyundai i10.
- Active. Powerful. Standard: Hyundai i20