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 companies are now regarded as sisters because that share has decreased to about 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.
Are Hyundai Motors and Kia the same company?
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!
Is Hyundai more dependable than Kia?
According to Amodeo, “automakers are increasingly considering how closely customers’ interactions with their vehicles resemble those of other consumer electronics.” “For instance, cell phones often receive over-the-air software updates, and as a result, automakers are increasingly required to use this strategy to address issues, enhance features, and add capabilities in order to maintain customer satisfaction. The best automakers at this will have a tremendous edge.”
Seven of the top 10 issues identified by the study are infotainment-related: voice recognition, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, Bluetooth, insufficient power outlets or USB ports, confusing or challenging navigation systems, infotainment touch screen or display screen, and inaccurate/outdated maps.
For the second year in a row, the Porsche 911 received the top rating for overall vehicle dependability. The 911 has received this distinction three times in the last four years.
The highest-ranking brand was Kia, which improved from third place in 2021. Buick, Hyundai, Toyota, and Dodge are other popular mass market brands that score highly for reliability of their vehicles, placing second, third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.
Genesis ranked first among luxury vehicles, followed by Lexus, Porsche, Cadillac, and Lincoln.
On average, mass market brands like Kia and Hyundai experienced less issues than their premium competitors. More technology is frequently found in vehicles from premium manufacturers, which raises the possibility of issues.
The survey also discovered that the quality of mass-produced cars has greatly increased recently and is now on par with that of premium manufacturers.
Who builds the Kia engines?
Hyundai and Kia produce their own engines, and a recent manufacturing fault may result in the premature death of more than 1 million of those engines.
For the same problem, Hyundai and Kia made separate recall announcements. About 572,000 examples of the 2013-2014 Santa Fe and 2013-2014 Sonata are included in Hyundai’s recall. About 618,160 units of the 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento, and 2011-2013 Sportage are included in Kia’s recall.
One of two enginesa 2.4-liter, direct-injected, naturally aspirated I4 or a 2.0-liter, turbocharged I4powers each of the involved vehicles. The motors’ various production dates range from 2010 to 2014.
The problem is due to manufacturing mistakes. It appears that metal debris in the crankshaft oil passageways wasn’t properly wiped out, and a second mistake led to surface roughness in the crankpins (crank journals). The connecting rod bearings, which enable the connecting rods to move freely, may receive less oil as a result of these two issues.
The engine may begin to knock as the bearing ages from contacting a rough surface without lubrication. The engine may seize up and be doomed to the scrap heap if the driver doesn’t understand what’s wrong and the bearings fail. If the engine seizes while the car is moving, it also poses a safety risk.
In May, notice will be given to dealers and owners, the latter by first-class mail. Owners must visit the dealership so that mechanics can examine and perhaps replace the engine. Owners who have previously paid for repairs must follow certain procedures in order to receive reimbursement from Hyundai or Kia.
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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.
Is Hyundai an improvement over Kia?
No one would blame you if you believed Kia and Hyundai were the same as Acura and Lexus were owned by automakers like Honda and Toyota. Hyundai technically owns one-third of Kia, making it the automaker’s parent company. They are two independent businesses, despite sharing platforms, engines, and other components.
With the exception of pickups and sports cars, both Kia and Honda provide a full range of automobiles. They provide some of the longest warranties to their clients, with a limited powertrain warranty that lasts up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. With a selection of sedans, SUVs, and trim levels to choose from, Kia and Hyundai also provide a vehicle for practically everyone.
Is Kia’s warranty equivalent to Hyundai’s?
Both Kia and Hyundai provide remarkable 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranties in addition to lengthy standard warranties. the following benefits of the Kia warranty: Basic 5-year/60,000-mile warranty with limitations. Limited anti-perforation guarantee for 5 years and 100,000 miles.
Ford owns Kia, right?
According to the Wikipedia entry for Kia Motors, an Asian financial crisis occurred in 1997. Kia and Hyundai Motor Company reached an agreement for a specific transfer of ownership between the two automakers. In 1998, this agreement was reached. After beating out Ford Motor Company in the bidding, Hyundai Motor Company acquired 51% of Kia. Since 1986, Ford has had a sizable stake in Kia, but the 1998 Hyundai acquisition changed that, making the business a completely Korean automobile manufacturer.
Hyundai is Honda’s property?
The major automakers with present presences in the United States are listed below, along with the brands they sell.
BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce are all owned by BMW Group. Smart and Mercedes-Benz are owned by Daimler AG. Lincoln and Ford are owned by Ford Motor Co. Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac all belong to General Motors. Hummer is back as a GMC subsidiary brand. In order to co-develop EVs, GM and Honda have an official collaboration. Acura and Honda are owned by Honda Motor Co. It collaborates with GM. Sony Honda Mobility is the name of the electric vehicle firm they founded with Sony. Genesis, Hyundai, and Kia are all owned by Hyundai Motor Group. Mazda is owned by Mazda Motor Corp. Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Infiniti are all owned by the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Following the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot S.A., a new company called Stellantis was created. According to the explanation, the word is derived from the Latin verb “stello,” which means “to dazzle with stars.” Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, and Ram are now under Stellantis and are FCA brands that are offered in the United States. Other Stellantis automobile brands include Citroen, DS Automobiles, Opel, Peugeot, and Vauxhall. Subaru is owned by Subaru Corp. Jaguar and Land Rover are owned by Tata Motors. Owned by Tesla. Lexus and Toyota are owned by Toyota Motor Corp. Additionally, it owns stock in Suzuki and Subaru. The automotive brand VinFast, along with VinHomes, VinBigData, VinBioCare, and VinBrain, are all owned by VinGroup. Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, and Volkswagen are all brands owned by Volkswagen AG. Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus are all brands owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (ZGH).
Reliability of Kia vehicles
To obtain their overall reliability ratings, the RepairPal team considers a number of different variables. Simply put, your out-of-pocket ownership expenditures will be cheaper the more dependable your car is. The cost, frequency, and severity of repairs are some of these variables. In order to calculate an individual brand’s total RepairPal reliability rating, these categories are averaged.
In the RepairPal reliability rankings, Kia came in at number three, including second place when only non-luxury brands were included. The Kia Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, placing it third among all car brands out of 32. This evaluation is based on the average of 345 different models.
“Kia had three well-liked models, including the Soul, Rio, and Forte, in the top 30 with Excellent ratings. The Optima and Sorento, two of its most well-liked cars, kept their Excellent rankings within the top 100.
Why not purchase a Kia?
Those wanting to buy a Kia automobile received some advice from a very helpful Kia mechanic. The initial one was to buy a car with a 2.4L engine. The 2.4L engine is available in a large selection of Kia vehicles, and the manufacturer guarantees a LIFETIME WARRANTY on these motors.
Yes, you read correctly. lifelong guarantee. infinite distances. Kia will cover the cost of repair if any engine component malfunctions due to carelessness on the part of the owner or irresponsible maintenance. They will install a brand-new engine in your car if the entire engine fails. This is a fantastic price, especially given that replacing the engine is one of the most expensive repairs a car owner will do.
In other words, even if you buy a used Kia car with a 2.4 liter engine, the engine will have a lifetime warranty because this warranty is for the life of the car, not the length of time the original buyer had it. Before you buy, make sure you obtain a complete set of maintenance documents from the previous owner to confirm the vehicle’s warranty is still in effect. Store these papers securely as well.
The next piece of advice he gave was to stay as far away from Kia hybrid vehicles as possible.
Do not purchase a hybrid under any circumstances. They’re garbage. They barely have a lifespan of 80,000 to 100,000 miles before developing problem after problem. Repairing them also costs money.
We then asked him which automobile he would suggest purchasing, either from Kia or another brand.
“Kia Optima or Hyundai Sonata are two options I would consider. They are reliable vehicles that last a lifetime. In essence, Optimas are Hyundai Sonatas with Kia branding. The same folks are the owners of Hyundai and Kia. The powertrain and drivetrain are identical in both cars. merely various interiors and designs. Because I like the interior of the Optima better, I choose it. I guess you could say it seems a little fancier.
He added that certain of the car models the company makes are noticeably superior than others. like the Telluride and Optima.
All of the vehicles made by the company, according to our Kia mechanic, are generally very dependable. The bulk of the time, he claimed, cars return to the dealership mechanic for routine maintenance, but some models are infamous for being more prone to catastrophic problems. You’ll want to avoid these cars at all costs, no pun intended.
“Hybrids and Kia Souls are the most common vehicles in need of major repairs. There are a few Kia Sportages here and there, but not many.
Sedans:
A spacious vehicle for passengers is the Kia Cadenza. It has excellent handling, and the ride quality overall is good but not outstanding. The Cadenza doesn’t attract much attention when compared to the award-winning Kia Optima in the sedan segment, but it does well in the competition with its sibling car. The Toyota Avalon’s direct rival and the largest sedan produced by the automaker is the Cadenza.
The car’s specifications state that it has a 3.3-liter engine with 290 horsepower and an estimated 24 miles per gallon. This model had its most recent revision in 2017. Interior that is elegant and comfortable is an option. A variety of safety systems, including emergency braking, front end collision warnings, blind spot warnings, and pedestrian detection, are included on all models, both standard and luxury.
Customers will typically spend $33,912 for a brand-new Kia Cadenza at the dealership, which is around $4,000 less than the MSRP. In conclusion, the Kia Cadenza is a fantastic car for anyone searching for a roomy sedan with good safety ratings and who wants to pay a reasonable amount for a brand-new car. Remember that these cars will have a far lower resale value than those of their rivals.
The Forte, which is generally mediocre, is the next on the list of Kia vehicles. The car company offers a little sedan called the Forte. One complaint is that the Kia Forte’s firm suspension causes you to feel every bump and little pothole. The car’s interior is quite drab, and the seats are not especially comfy.
It’s not good if you’re seeking for a relaxing ride because the automobile is extremely noisy. The car does have some good points, such as its fuel efficiency of about 34 miles per gallon and how user-friendly the controls are. The entertainment system, which is stylish and simple to operate, and an intelligent thermostat that maintains the cab at the correct temperature are two of these controls. All 2020 Forte cars come standard with autonomous emergency braking and front collision warning.
The car is average all over, but the proper driver might find it useful. The base Kia Forte costs just $17,900 on average, which is fairly cheap for a new car. However, given the interior, suspension, and general noisiness of the car, it’s simple to see why.
The Kia K5 is a brand-new model for the automaker, so chances are you haven’t heard of it yet. Since the K5 is essentially the most recent and greatest Kia Optima, we have high expectations for it because, if anything, the Optima is the car you should buy from Kia. The K5, which borrows styling cues from both the Kia Optima and the Hyundai Sonata, has two four-cylinder twin turbocharged engines that are each connected to an eight-speed transmission that shifts magnificently from gear to gear.
The K5’s interior is quite conventional, but there are a number of customization options available, including the size of the infotainment system’s screen and different interior improvements like leather seats. This new model’s MSRP is $26,355, and they aren’t much lowering it for those of you willing to barter. The typical price for a brand-new 2021 Kia K5 is $25,974.
After preliminary testing, the Kia K5 appears promising overall, but when these new cars enter the market, only time will tell.
We fully intend to heed the counsel of the mechanic whose words we referenced earlier in the article to avoid purchasing any hybrid Kia vehicle. Kia Niros are alright. That is the most accurate approach to sum up the car as a whole. It isn’t exceptional in any sense, although it does have certain advantages. The Niro simply can’t compete with the Toyota Prius or the Hyundai Ioniq in terms of fuel economy, which is what matters most with a hybrid car. The Niro’s fuel economy is good but not exceptional at 43 miles per gallon.
The car’s drive is not particularly smooth, and similar to the Forte, the suspension may use some work because passengers will notice every bump in the road. Additionally, the car’s handling may use some work; it makes corners securely but not smoothly.
The optional power driver’s seat is something you should buy if you’re trying to improve this model because it offers significantly more support than the standard seat. This is something I would consider mandatory if you routinely take lengthy road trips or have lower back problems. A larger infotainment system screen is among the other updated features, and it really performs quite well compared to those of rival vehicles.
A 1.6 liter, 4-cylinder engine powers the car. The vehicle has a total output of 139 horsepower when combined with the electric propulsion. The Kia Niro’s base price is about $24,590, but if you want the improved safety features that come standard in other Kia vehicles, you’ll have to pay more. You will have to pay more than $30,000 for one of these cars to add safety technologies like automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, lane keeping assistance, and rear cross traffic warning.
A completely electric Niro is also available from Kia, and like its hybrid counterpart, it is a middle-of-the-road vehicle. The Kia Niro is not the car for you if you’re looking to get an electric vehicle that performs spectacularly. Instead, stick with Toyota or Tesla. Nevertheless, it does have certain advantages as well.
The completely electric Niro has a range of 239 miles, making it more efficient than many electric cars that cost significantly more than this one. Remember that Kia’s warranty isn’t nearly as impressive for its hybrid and electric vehicles as it is for its conventional gasoline-powered counterparts. They are also expensive to repair.
The Hyundai Kona and the soon-to-be-released Kia Soul Ev both utilize the same electric drivetrain as the electric Niro. The batteries on the cars can be fully charged in 10 hours, and they have a 64 KW-hr capacity that can go 239 miles. If you wish to go on a road trip in this vehicle, make sure to plan for extended pit stops somewhere with a charging station. The vehicle takes a 240 watt plug to charge.
Speaking of road trips, the Niro does feature the same cargo space as its hybrid sibling, which has enough for five passengers and a ton of stuff or pets in the back. The car’s load area is comparable to that of many small SUVs currently on the market.
The Optima is one of the greatest Kia vehicles to purchase, in our opinion based on our research and observations. They have excellent safety ratings and have a tendency to break less frequently. Purchasing a Kia Optima is a smart move, according to our insider Kia technician. The Optima offers a more plush interior than some of Kia’s other car lines, in addition to additional opulent options like heated leather seats and a steering wheel.
The Optima has a 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine that provides 28 miles per gallon of fuel efficiency. If you are considering buying a used Optima in this model year, keep in mind that the engine will come with a lifetime guarantee due to the full engine recall that affected the Optima from 2011 to 2015. This is quite beneficial.