Quick question

[lihtox]

When I say "Kia" (the car company), what comes to mind?

a) crappy car company, run away, run away!
b) cheap cars but OK
c) awesome car company!
d) What's a "Kia"?

I don't have a good sense as to their reputation.

Comments

[kmunson779.livejournal.com]

This year's Consumer Reports says (for Hyundai/Kia):

Avg. test score (out of 100): 66 (Honda got 78, BMW & Mercedes 77, Ford 64, GM 57 for comparison)
Tested vehicles recommended: 42% (Honda got 100%, Mercedes 0%, Ford 54%, GM 36%)

"Affordable, well-equipped vehicles with a long warranty. Reliability is decent and improving. Highs: Controls, ride, standard safety equipment, fit and finish, long warranty. Lows: Agility, fuel economy, acceleration."

CR says to avoid the Sedona (except the '06 model). It gives generally poor verdicts for used Kia models, except the '06 Sedona.

[heef.livejournal.com]

Email me if you need to check consumer reports in more detail - I have a logon you can use for the site.

My sense is that Kia kinda sucks. Cheap more than decent.

definitely (a)

[megastoat.livejournal.com]

(friend of ltlbird here!)

I once accidently slammed the door of a Kia onto my friend's hand. The door literally buckled around his hand, and once we opened it again, it sprang back into shape. While we were really happy that he only needed to ice his hand to bring it back to normal, it really didn't give us any confidence about being in such a car in a collision.

Granted, this was back in 1998; maybe Kia's are constructed better now. But I would still be wary.