Do Kias Last a Long Time?
Lisa Steuer McArdle
· 4 min read
In the early 2000s,
Kia
was known to make basic vehicles that had stellar warranties. Since then, the company now manufactures some of the most competitive cars—and it still offers good warranty coverage. This Southern Korean brand is now a corporate counterpart to Hyundai, and the two brands share similar features. Over recent years, Kia and Hyundai have been among the top-performing brands in America regarding sales volume.
Kia has come a long way
Kia Motors was incorporated in the United States in 1992, and the automakers first introduced two models: the Sephia and the Sportage. The Sportage is still in production, although now it is a crossover SUV and no longer a compact truck-based SUV like when it was first introduced.
Initially, Kia Motors America sold the two models at their four dealerships in Portland, OR, but by 1995, the company had more than 100 dealerships in 30 states. Unfortunately, Kia declared bankruptcy in 1995.
Hyundai ended up acquiring the company and took over 51% of the brand. Today, Hyundai owns about a third of Kia.
Hyundai and Kia's performance in the U.S. market has been excellent, according to
GoodCarBadCar
. Last year, Hyundai sold around 54,790 units in the U.S., a 5% increase from the previous year. Kia sold about 586,005 units in the U.S. Although this was a 4% decrease from the prior year's sales, Kia still holds around 3% of the market share.The 2021 Kia models
MORE: How to Make Your Car Last Longer
The top-rated Kia models on the market today are the Stinger sports sedan, the Soul hatchback, the Telluride SUV, the Optima Sedan, and the Sportage crossover, according to
Car and Driver
. The Stinger is the biggest Kia sports sedan and is engaging to drive, boasts a powerful optional V-6 engine, and hatchback practicality.The funky Soul hatchback has a roomy cabin and superb exterior styling. The
Kia Optima
is a family-friendly sedan that boasts a handsome exterior and interior and has myriad engine options. The Kia Sportage is a sporty compact crossover with an upscale cabin, a refined ride and a high-speed turbocharged engine.In 2020, Kia sold 1,427 units of the Stinger, 7,622 units of the Soul hatchback, 4,822 units of the Telluride, 4,949 units of the Optima, and 7,945 units of Sportage in the U.S.
Kia ranks well across multiple sites
Over the years, the Kia has dramatically improved reliability, and it is also a good option for drivers looking for a low-maintenance vehicle, according to
Motor1.com
. Overall, Kia got fair rankings from Consumer Reports in terms of predicted reliability and owners' satisfaction. On the cost of car ownership over time,
Consumer Reports
noted that a five-year-old Kia costs its owner on average $177 to own, which is competitive with similar brands. According to Consumer Reports, the
Telluride
and the Sportage performed well in predicted reliability. The 2021 Kia Telluride earned a predicted reliability of 5 out of 5 and an overall 97 out of 100. The 2021 Kia Sportage also earned a predicted reliability rating of 5 out of 5 and an overall rating of 80 out of 100.The Kia Optima was the highest-ranked midsize car in the 2021
J.D. Power
U.S. vehicle dependability study. The study also ranked Kia the highest among mass-market brands.It seems that Kia and Hyundai are producing phenomenal vehicles that are appealing to car shoppers globally.
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