As you may already know, Hyundai and Kia are the two most popular car brands in Korea and are also widespread worldwide. So when you go to buy a car, which do you choose? Do you pick the best-selling Hyundai, or do you go with the newer upstart brand, Kia? What makes them different? Which one suits your needs?
Let’s look at some of the significant differences between the two brands to help you decide if Kia or Hyundai would be better for you.
Is Kia a better car than Hyundai? – Comparison
Below are some major aspects we need to understand while comparing these two best brands!
- Ranges
- Design
- Reliability
- Safety
- Price Tag
- Value for Money
- Fuel Economy
- Warranty
- Dealership
Ranges
With a variety of small cars and SUVs, Kia and Hyundai provide you with the option to choose what works for you.
Kia’s lineup includes the Rio, Soul, Forte, Optima, Cadenza, Sorento, etc.
Hyundai’s lineup includes Accent, Elantra, Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson, etc.
So, both have successful ranges and options. Here I think the competition is tied!
Design
There are some notable design differences between Kia and Hyundai cars. Hyundai cars tend to be more angular, while Kia cars are curvier.
Hyundai also uses more chrome in its designs, while Kia goes for a more understated look. These design differences are most evident in the grilles of the two brands’ cars.
I think it’s your personal preference what you like the most, angular or understated!
Reliability
Korean cars are often known for their reliability, and both Kia and Hyundai offer good quality vehicles. However, in terms of reliability, Kia comes out slightly ahead, according to Consumer Reports. In their latest survey, Kia was ranked as the 5th most reliable car brand, while Hyundai came in 7th.
As a result, if you’re looking for a Korean car that’s great for making daily trips, Kia is the better choice.
Safety
When it comes to safety, both Kia and Hyundai offer similar features like airbags and antilock brakes. However, some independent testing organizations have given higher ratings to Hyundai vehicles than Kia vehicles.
According to the most recent Euro NCAP safety tests, Kia scored five stars for the safety of adults and four stars for the safety of children.
On the other hand, Hyundai was also rated five stars when it came to the protection of adult occupants, but only three stars when it came to the protection of children.
So, if you are concerned about the safety of your family, then Kia is the best option for you.
Price Tag
The most important point I would like to mention is that Hyundai and Kia cars are both known for their affordability.
However, Kia’s cars are often less expensive than Hyundai’s, making them a better choice for budget-conscious shoppers.
Value for Money
Korean cars are often known for their excellent value for money, and both Kia and Hyundai offer good value cars. However, in terms of value for money, Kia comes out slightly ahead, according to Kelley Blue Book.
In their latest 5-year cost-to-own survey, Kia was ranked as the 5th most affordable brand, while Hyundai came in at 7th.
So if you’re looking for a good value Korean car, Kia is the better choice.
Fuel Economy
In terms of fuel economy, both Kia and Hyundai offer vehicles that get great gas mileage.
However, Kia’s lineup includes more hybrid and electric vehicles than Hyundai’s, so if you’re looking for a more fuel-efficient car, Kia may be the better choice.
Warranty
One significant difference between Kia and Hyundai is that Kia offers a 7-year/100,000-mile warranty on all of its vehicles, while Hyundai only offers a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty.
This extended warranty is one of the most significant selling points for Kia.
Dealership
Kia has more than 6,000 dealerships in over 172 countries, while Hyundai has more than 5,000 dealerships in 193 countries.
This means that it’s easier to find a Kia dealership near you, and you’re more likely to be able to get your hands on Kia spare parts if you need them.
However, even with this comprehensive coverage, you have some difficulties if their dealership is not existing near you. So, as a side note, I recommend you to look at Mista Bitzys.
Mista Bitzys is an online dealer of Kia and Hyundai parts. Unfortunately, I don’t have a Kia as well as a Hyundai dealership near me, so during my online research, I found them. I was able to find most of the part numbers I was looking for for my car on their site. The prices were also not high; instead, they were competitive.
Also, the customer service was excellent, and they quickly responded to all my questions.
So, in my opinion, they are definitely worth checking out if you are looking for Kia or Hyundai parts and you are having trouble finding them locally or at a competitive price tag!
So, Is Kia a Better Car than Hyundai? – Final Thoughts
In conclusion, if I had to choose between one brand and another, I would pick Kia if I had to choose one over the other. Aside from this, Kia and Hyundai are both great car brands. A variety of vehicles are available from them in order to accommodate every budget and need.
To be honest, it really comes down to your personal preferences if you want to choose between the two. Some people might prefer Kia because of its sportier models, like me, while others might prefer Hyundai because of its luxurious options. Ultimately, both brands offer great cars that will please any driver.
