Kia’s kind of suck. Here’s some data:
Friend’s 2014 Kia Sorento w/ 26k mi – threw a rod
Sister’s 2009 Kia Rio w/ 62k mi – threw a rod
Sister’s 2012 Kia Sedona w/ 55k mi – no a/c, total transmission failure
Other sister’s 2009 Kia Sedona w/ 68k mi – no a/c, multiple electrical fires
If you’re a Simpsons fan, you’ll know that Bart likes to prank call Moe’s Tavern asking for someone with a funny name like Ivana Tinkel or Amanda HugnKiss. Pretty sure Ileta Forte is on there, too. I rented a Kia Forte for a business trip in Virginia recently and it, too, sucked a bit. Can’t really argue with the price at $15,990, that’s cheap for any new car. But for that same money, and I’m only going to say this once, get a freakin used Honda or Toyota.
It’s not a terrible looking car by any means and I was pleased to discover that it wasn’t plagued by a CVT. The 1.8L 4cyl adequately powers the car with all of its 145 ponies galloping ahead but you’d really expect better than 26 mpg out of a car this gutless.
Conclusion: don’t buy a Kia.