Kias can be very pricey due to having some of the poorest inventory levels of any major automaker. While a chip shortage has continued to affect the production of new cars from a variety of automakers, Kia consumers may end up paying significantly more than MSRP because of a persistent dearth of inventories throughout most of the nation.
In This Article...
Is Kia a budget company?
Why are KIAs so inexpensive when they are regarded for having a comfortable ride, a respectable new-vehicle warranty, and lots of cargo space?
Each automobile owner has a reason(s) for favoring a particular brand’s model. While some people are seeking the excitement and speed, others are searching for a reliable car for their family. The features you require, how the car is made, and the brand will all affect how much it costs. While some purchasers aren’t concerned with the vehicle’s price, others will focus on the perks that come with the cost.
KIAs are affordable since the raw material for their car bodies is plastic. As they are designed to survive five to seven years, they have a short production line and a bad image as disposable cars. Another factor contributing to KIAs affordability is the cheap cost of labor.
The company’s entry into the United States wasn’t easy, and most people thought of KIA as a budget brand with subpar automobiles. But over time, the Korean business has worked to disprove these allegations by spending money on production and research to demonstrate KIA’s dependability.
Continue reading to find out why KIAs are so affordable and whether you should buy one.
Here is what we learned after conducting our investigation and speaking with numerous professionals in the field of vehicle production.
Kia, a luxury manufacturer?
Kia is not known for its luxurious vehicles. The South Korean automaker still has a fairly affordable lineup despite a recent redesign. Unless you upgrade to the fully loaded SX trim, the Kia Telluride is not an exception.
The Tellurides’ $33,200 price tag falls in line with that of its non-luxury midsize SUV competitors. However, upgrading to the SX variant will cost you between $42,500 and $55,000, which is within the range of many premium cars’ starting prices.
So what do you need to do? Do you want to upgrade your Kia Telluride or get the Buick Enclave or Volvo XC90 base model? Although nobody can decide for you, there are certain important aspects that could influence your choice.
Is a Kia Part pricey?
The Kia warranty is well-known among Kia owners! In fact, it’s most likely one of the causes behind your initial decision to purchase a Kia. Am I correct? One of the very few automakers, Kia, extends warranty coverage well beyond the typical duration and mileage. A 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty is provided by the automaker. You might not think you require a Kia extended warranty because this warranty seems so wonderful in comparison to most others. I’d argue the opposite. Examine your warranty’s fine print to determine what is actually covered. Your Kia warranty is actually somewhat constrained beyond the 5-year/60,000-mile mark, and many repairs are probably not covered. You can be left with unexpected repair costs as a result.
But how much do Kia repairs cost? Let’s hear what other people in the sector have to say about that. Numerous publications and websites track, investigate, and analyze the cost of auto repairs. Another one of these websites is YourMechanic. Lists of the most and least expensive cars to maintain were created after they analyzed their extensive database. With an average cost of $8,800, Kia came in at number 14 on their list of the brands that cost the most to maintain throughout the first 10 years. Contrast that to the $5,500 average cost of a Toyota.
Common Kia Repairs
- 2012 Sorento catastrophic engine failure
- Average Repair Cost: $5,300
- Mileage typical: 73,000 miles
- 2011 Optima engine failure
- Average Repair Cost: $4,600
- Mileage typical: 102,000 miles
- 2013 Sorento with blown motor
- Average Repair Cost: $5,700
- Mileage typical: 72,000 miles
These are only a few examples of the data on Kia repair prices that are currently available. I advise you to research your Kia model to find out what fees you might incur since costs can vary significantly by year and model. All cars ultimately break down, regardless of the typical repair prices and the average number of repairs needed for your Kia. Are you prepared to make a purchase? Possibly not. One recent survey indicated that one-third of American drivers couldn’t afford an unexpected repair charge, according to the website Clark.
A Vehicle Protection Plan from autopom!
But you may calm your thoughts and be more ready to deal with unforeseen repair costs! How? with a car protection package or extended warranty. By paying for the majority of most repair expenditures, extended coverage can provide you the peace of mind you desire. Did you know that a Kia vehicle protection plan or extended warranty may perhaps pay for itself with only one pricey repair bill?
Is buying a Kia worthwhile?
really good The comfort we get in this automobile is incredible, and the Kia is not a terrible car for the money. It has excellent mileage and numerous more outstanding features.
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.
SUVs:
The Kia Sorento’s smaller sibling is the Seltos. This small SUV is Kia’s take on the category, and despite its excellent gas consumption, it is surprisingly still rather roomy. The driver receives constant acceleration thanks to the variable transmission in the 2.0 liter engine. The Seltos also offers a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, which comes standard with front-wheel drive but also offers all-wheel drive as an option.
Poor handling, a noisy powertrain, and stiff suspension are just a few Seltos drawbacks that contribute to an uncomfortable ride. In addition to these flaws, the base model lacks any cutting-edge safety features you’d find in competing cars or even those built by Kia.
The base model of the Kia Seltos costs $21,990, while models with leather seats and a bigger entertainment screen can cost as much as $27,890.
The 2021 Kia Sorrento has undergone a redesign to increase overall safety, increase high-tech amenities, and improve fuel efficiency. It’s an intriguing tactic that the new Sorrento has three separate engine packages. The choices include a 4 cylinder hybrid with 227 horsepower, a 4 cylinder turbo with 281 horsepower, or a 191 horsepower alternative.
We have consistently been discouraged from purchasing Kia’s hybrid and electric vehicles, but due to limited testing, it is still too early to know how well these environmentally friendly models will stand up over time. The 2021 Sorrento has a ton of fantastic safety features as standard equipment, it’s crucial to remember that. With this SUV, Kia has unquestionably raised the bar in terms of safety. The base model Kia Sorrento will cost $26,990, while complete improvements would push the price up to $41,890.
Another vehicle in Kia’s lineup that is prone to breaking down early is the Sportage. I once rented a Kia Sportage, and during the week that it was under my care, it experienced problems. These vehicles’ interiors are adequate, but they have electrical problems and a buggy entertainment system. The Kia mechanic also advised potential customers to steer clear of this model.
A reliable 2.4-liter engine and six-speed automatic transmission are included as standard equipment in the automobile. One of the Sportage’s saving graces is the abundance of standard safety features that come with it. The infotainment system is quite user-friendly when it functions properly.
The Sportage starts at $29,990 and may cost up to $35,090 with premium extras.
The Telluride is Kia’s largest SUV model. The Telluride’s three rows of seating can accommodate an amazing 8 passengers. With only 23 miles per gallon, it gets less than stellar gas mileage, but it can pull 5,000 pounds. In contrast, the beginning towing capacity of the Ford F150 is 6,000 pounds.
All-wheel drive is an option for an upcharge when front-wheel drive is standard. A 291 horsepower v6 is the potent engine that gives the Telluride its towing capabilities. The suspension is well made, which results in a pleasant ride. Because of improved soundproofing, Kia’s vehicles are quieter within the cab than some other brands. Modern safety features are included as standard.
The Telluride starts at $31,890, but with enhanced options, it may cost as high as $43,790.
No one wants them because the resale value will be very poor and the automobiles are full of issues. This was the time period when Kia’s reputation suffered.
When compared to Toyota and Honda, resale value is lower, and new Kia car prices aren’t all that lower either. Despite having a poor value retention rate, cars today are substantially higher quality than they were ten years ago. J.D. Power ranked it as the best in the reliability area in 2016. They were the first non-luxury brand to do this in around 30 years, which is noteworthy.