Are Kia cars bad? - Studybuff (2023)

FAQs

Does Kia vehicles still have a bad reputation? ›

Why do Kias have a bad reputation? The Kia brand used to be known for cheap, low-quality automobiles. This is largely because when the brand first launched in the U.S., its vehicles experienced a high number of problems. Since then, Kia has improved its fleet, and the brand is now known for its exceptional reliability.

Kia received the lowest rate of reported problems among mass market brands in the J.D. Power 2021-2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Studies. 2023 Study based on responses from 30,062 original owners of 2020 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership, surveyed August-November 2022.

Honda and Kia vehicles are both reliable and provide impressive warranties for you to take advantage of. While Kia is sure to keep you and your passengers safe on every trip, Honda wants to make sure your car, truck, or SUV remains in working order for as long as possible.

QUALITY – J.D. POWER U.S. VEHICLE DEPENDABILITY STUDY

When it comes to quality, Kia has a clear advantage over Nissan. In the 2021 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability survey, Kia finished third, just behind Lexus and Porsche. We'd say that Kia is in pretty good company.

Kia and Hyundai have agreed to pay about $200 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the manufacturers of producing vehicles that have been especially vulnerable to theft, lawyers for the car owners and the manufacturers said on Thursday.

Let's get right to the chase: how long do Kias last? In the hands of a responsible owner, Kia vehicles are expected to last up to 200,000 miles. According to the accounts of owners who gave their Kias the much-needed TLC, they could get 200,000 to 250,000 miles and keep them on the road for a decade or more.

A Kia can last around 200,000 miles or 13 years with regular maintenance, depending on factors like the model year and your driving habits. . However, a vehicle's longevity depends on several factors, including its model year and the owner's driving habits.

Consumer Reports released its list of the top car brands for 2023 on Thursday. Taking the top five spots, in order, are BMW, Subaru, Mini, Lexus, and Honda. Taking the bottom five spots are Mitsubishi, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Jeep, and Land Rover, with Land Rover at the very bottom.

Buy: 2019 Kia Optima

The 2019 Kia Optima is arguably the most reliable Kia Optima year across all generations. It featured a stylish interior and exterior, a spacious trunk, and plenty of powertrain options. Also, there are little to no complaints about this model, so you can buy it used with confidence.

The Kia Advantage

So, the verdict is in – while Kia and Hyundai offer similar vehicles, Kia models offer better value and better quality, with bolder styling and a more dynamic driving experience. Simply put, Kia vehicles are all-around better vehicles, no matter what you value most in your car.

How does Kia rank in quality? ›

The Kia Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 3rd out of 32 for all car brands. This rating is based on an average across 345 unique models.

And in terms of reliability, Kia is one the best. A trusted authority for automotive analysis is J.D. Power, which ranks Kia high for reliability. For the 2023 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, Kia is the third-most dependable car brand, behind only Lexus and Genesis.

What's the difference between Kia and Hyundai? Kia designs its vehicles with a sporty aesthetic, while Hyundai offers a more luxurious and flowing design. Reaching a broader target market with a slightly more diverse selection of vehicles, Kia's lineup includes a minivan, the Sedona.

Selling your Kia within three years of ownership will maximize the chances that you'll get up to 50% of its original value back upon resale. But there's more at play than just the ticking clock—your Kia's condition, mileage, and popularity all impact your car's worth on the used car market.

Many have even assumed that Toyota might have supplied Kia with engine parts. The simple answer is no.

Well kia vehicles are pretty much built to last until the warranty expires. So after 100k miles they are going to need work regularly. Thus new parts are in high demand. That makes them a little more pricey than others.

The warranty covers all inspection and repair costs of the engine short block assembly, including parts, labor, and diagnosis. Engine replacement, when needed, is also covered. In addition, Kia states that dealerships will supply loan vehicles to affected owners while their vehicles are in for repairs.

Hyundai and Kia have issued an update to help protect affected key-to-start vehicles from 2011 to 2022 model years. The update includes a software solution to help stop thieves from taking these cars.

Kia Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure could cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: This campaign only affects vehicles equipped with a 1.6 L GDI engine.

Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.

What car has a long life expectancy? ›

The automotive research firm and car search engine found that Toyota drivers, along with 3-row SUV and truck drivers, are getting the longest potential lifespan from their vehicles. (Also keep in mind that vehicles that durable and reliable cars also tend to hold their resale value better than the average car. )

2022 Kia Forte Driving Range

Kia drivers and shoppers near the Plano, TX, area can expect the Kia Forte to deliver a driving range of around 392.7 city miles or 487.9 highway miles as a result of the fuel economy rating of an EPA-estimated 33 city and 41 highway mpg that is paired with the 11.9-gallon fuel tank.

“Car batteries can last for three to five years, depending on environmental factors like climate conditions and driving habits.”

Kia Corporation was founded in May 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. From humble origins making bicycles and motorcycles, Kia has grown – as part of the dynamic, global Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group – to become the world's fifth largest vehicle manufacturer.

What is the most dependable car brand? Here are the brand rankings based on the number of problems per 100 vehicles, according to J.D. Power's 2023 U.S. vehicle dependability study. The industry average is 186. The highest-ranking premium brand was Lexus, and Kia was the highest-ranking mass market brand.

According to this trusted organization, the most reliable cars for 2021 are from brands such as Audi, Buick, Hyundai, and Toyota. The Consumer Reports study is based on surveying more than 400,000 people who own current-generation vehicles made within the last three years.

2022: State of Car Sales in America

The Toyota Camry is the only car that ranks in the top 10 most sold vehicles of 2022.

Taking top honors this year are the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid (Best Hybrid SUV for the Money), Kia K5 (Best Midsize Car for the Money), and Kia Rio (Best Subcompact Car for the Money).

With enough room, adaptive cruise control, and visibility, Kia Soul is a good option.

Kia Sonet. The Sonet was launched in India in September 2020, and it has since become one of the most popular models in its segment. It is the best-selling Kia car in April 2023, securing 9744 units, compared to the 5404 units sold last year.

Why is Kia so popular? ›

Kias are very popular because they make high-quality vehicles that provide plenty of entertainment and safety features. However, we all know that Kias are so popular because they're relatively inexpensive, especially compared to their competitors.

Kia Carens MPV has been designed by taking the genes of SUVs and blending that with practicality of a large people mover. Also, it comes with premiumness that makes it unique among others. The car has a front fascia that is completely different as compared to Seltos or Sonet.

More than 500 Awards in Different Countries:

Kia has received many awards all across the world. Its reliability, safety, quality, and designs have won many accolades over the years. Kia has won awards in UAE, America, and many other countries.

Coming in with an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city/31 mpg highway, the 2023 Kia Seltos definitely ranks as one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs across the board.

In third ranks Hyundai-Kia, – up 1 spot- with 1.71 million sales (+7.8%). It lost substantial sales in Latin America (-11.0%). Growth was reported in Asia (+14.9%) and North America (+22.9%).

This year marks Kia's fifth consecutive as the top-ranked mass-market brand. The three Korean brands were followed in the top 10 by Ford, Lincoln, Chevrolet, Nissan, Dodge, Lexus and Toyota.

Kia on the Upswing

Today, the Kia Soul is rated as the most dependable small utility model in its class (by a landslide) and the Kia brand as a whole takes second place as the most dependable on the market in 2019.

Kia depreciation tends to be so high because they use cheap materials (like plastic instead of metal), have low labor costs, and have a short production line. Kia builds their cars to last 5 to 7 years, which doesn't bode well for resale.

Kia cars are inexpensive due to Kia and Hyundai owning a foundry, the ability to import cars tariff-free, and not using expensive metals and plastics. These vehicles are great value choices for automotive shoppers.

In the early 2000s, Kia had a reputation for manufacturing cheap, lackluster vehicles. Since then, Kia reliability has dramatically improved, and today, it is regarded among the most reliable brands and a good option for drivers looking for a low-maintenance vehicle.

Which car is most reliable Kia or Hyundai? ›

Hyundai Reliability. Both brands are known for their long-lasting performance and durability, but comparing Kia vs. Hyundai reliability ratings from J.D Power reveals a clear winner: Kia. In fact, Kia beat out all other automakers in 2022 with a score of 145 PP100 (Problems per 100 Vehicles).

Yes, many engines utilized in Hyundai models are also used in Kia vehicles, and vice versa. Some examples include: The Kappa G3LA/G3LC engine is used in the Hyundai Kona, Hyundai i20, Kia Ceed, and Kia Stonic. The Kappa G4LD engine is used in the Hyundai i30, Kia Ceed, and Hyundai Elantra.

Kia, wouldn't want to be ya'-at least when it comes to resale value. Kia falls in the bottom half when looking across popular vehicle manufacturers. The exception for Kia, is their Soul model, which ranked in the top 25 of all models for value retention.

Three Kia models are recognized with 2023 Best Cars for the Money awards. This year, three Kia vehicles have been honored with Best Cars for the Money awards. The winners are the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, the Kia K5, and the Kia Rio.

And in terms of reliability, Kia is one the best. A trusted authority for automotive analysis is J.D. Power, which ranks Kia high for reliability. For the 2023 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, Kia is the third-most dependable car brand, behind only Lexus and Genesis.

Maserati. The Italian luxury automaker holds the title of the most depreciated car brand, with a five-year average depreciation of 69.0%.

Overall, the models determined to hold onto their values the most tenaciously among all 2023 vehicles after five years handily beat the industry average. These include the Toyota Tundra (73.3%) and Tacoma (66.0%), Tesla Model X (66.0%), Ford Bronco (65.4%), and the Chevrolet Corvette (65.3%).

Moreover, Kia doesn't use as many expensive metals and plastics in making their vehicles. The materials used are lower in quality than other manufacturers, but Kia is quite smart when it comes to production.

Affected models include the 2019–2023 Santa Fe, 2022–2023 Santa Cruz, and 2022–2023 Kia Carnival. Kia and Hyundai are recalling 570,000 vehicles with a potential fire hazard while parked.

Hyundai and Kia recall 571,000 vehicles due to fire risk Hyundai and Kia are telling the owners of more than 571,000 SUVs and minivans in the U.S. to park them outdoors because the tow hitch harnesses can catch fire while they are parked or being driven.

Which Kia lasts longest? ›

With the combination of Kia's top-tier warranty and excellent safety ratings, the Kia Rio will last you a long while with the proper care and maintenance. As mentioned, some Rio owners claimed that they managed to reach 250,000 miles on their subcompact vehicle.

Selling your Kia within three years of ownership will maximize the chances that you'll get up to 50% of its original value back upon resale. But there's more at play than just the ticking clock—your Kia's condition, mileage, and popularity all impact your car's worth on the used car market.

Hyundai Reliability. Both brands are known for their long-lasting performance and durability, but comparing Kia vs. Hyundai reliability ratings from J.D Power reveals a clear winner: Kia. In fact, Kia beat out all other automakers in 2022 with a score of 145 PP100 (Problems per 100 Vehicles).