Kia is primarily owned by the Hyundai Motor Group, which holds a 33.88% stake in the company. Following a 1997 bankruptcy, Hyundai Motor Company acquired a controlling interest in Kia in 1998, forming a strategic partnership where they share engines, platforms, and technology while operating as distinct brands. The South Korean National Pension Service is another significant shareholder.
Hyundai Motor Group purchased the Kia auto company in 1998 to keep it afloat. Kia and Hyundai Motor Group operate independently, but Hyundai is the parent company of Kia Motors.
Hyundai Motor Company acquired 51% of the company, outbidding Ford Motor Company, which had owned an interest in Kia Motors since 1986. After subsequent divestments, Hyundai Motor Company owns about one third of Kia Motor Corporation.
However, many of the engines in these Kias come from three engine shops at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) in Alabama, which means some of the most reliable Kia engines ever made were actually built by Hyundai. American workers at HMMA make the new Smartstream G2. 5 GDI, G1. 6 T-GDI, G2.
By being aware of common problems such as battery issues, faulty alternators, starter motor problems, wiring issues, fuse problems, and ECM issues, Kia owners can address these issues promptly and effectively.
Kia does not maintain a separate luxury division like some other manufacturers. Instead, it achieves luxury through carefully crafted trim levels and flagship models that integrate premium materials, advanced technology, and refined design.
Kia's main cons often revolve around past engine reliability issues (especially 2011-2023 models with 2.0L/2.4L engines), leading to recalls and failures, although newer models are improving; some interiors use cheaper materials, and specific models might have underpowered base engines, minor tech annoyances like overly sensitive safety systems, or less luxury feel than premium brands, impacting resale perception, despite good overall value and warranty.
There's no single "number 1" reliable car, but Toyota (especially the Yaris, Aygo, Corolla) and Honda (Jazz, Civic) consistently rank highest for overall brand reliability and low repair costs in recent surveys, with strong contenders also being Suzuki, Lexus, and Hyundai for their robust engineering and build quality, while some newer electric models like the Kia EV3 and Ford Mustang Mach-E are scoring perfect reliability scores in recent reports, notes Auto Express, What Car?, Cinch, Direct Gap Insurance, Fleet News, Warrantywise, What Car?, and Mycarpark.
The Kia Sportage is generally slightly larger and offers more cargo and passenger room, especially in the rear seats, compared to the Toyota RAV4, though both are compact SUVs with similar overall dimensions; the Sportage often wins in legroom and cargo volume, while the RAV4 is a bit shorter but can be taller depending on the trim.
In Japanese cultures, Kia can be spelled in many ways due to the kanji characters, and can mean “hope” or “beg for,” as well as “rare” and “sky.” With a name like Kia, baby can be reminded that the sky's the limit for their future.
For example, replacing front brake pads on many Kia models, such as the popular Kia K5 which you can explore in our new Kia K5 inventory, is generally more budget-friendly than comparable replacements for luxury brands. That affordability doesn't come at the cost of quality, either.
Lincoln is the luxury automotive brand of Ford Motor Company, committed to creating compelling vehicles with an exceptional ownership experience to match.
Yes, Kias generally hold their value reasonably well, especially popular SUVs like the Telluride, Sportage, and Sorento, often retaining 50-65% over three years, competitive with other mainstream brands, boosted by their strong warranty, increasing reliability, and attractive tech/design, though individual model performance varies. While historically seen as depreciating faster, newer models and high-demand SUVs have improved their standing, though they might not match top-tier brands like Toyota/Honda.
While its main production facilities are situated in South Korea—in cities like Hwaseong, Gwangmyeong, and Gwangju—KIA has also established manufacturing plants in key international locations. These include the United States (West Point, Georgia), Mexico, India, and Slovakia.
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.
The brand always comes at, or near the top in, J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study. Kia often places ahead of the perennial leader in the study: Toyota. Clearly, Kia strives for customer satisfaction, reliability, and innovation as recognized by both industry experts and automotive journalists alike.
Get a good look at the 2024 Nissan Qashqai, known in the U.S. as the Nissan Rogue, in this video from Car TV. The 2024 Nissan Qashqai is sleek and sexy, but it also has some serious space.
If you want ultimate space and practicality, then the Tucson is a better bet – it has a more spacious-feeling interior and its boot is huge compared to the Qashqai's. It also feels rather more posh inside thanks to the clean design and high-tech dashboard, with ample standard equipment even on the base models.
