“Many Kia owners delay essential maintenance.”

An auto parts supplier used examples to argue that Kia are less reliable than Toyotas and Hondas. Auto Parts City (@autopartscity) showcased these differences in a viral TikTok, which has garnered over 132,000 views.

The video starts with praise for Kia vehicles but quickly shifts to harsh criticism of the manufacturer’s drivetrain quality. Viewers had mixed reactions to the TikToker’s claims.

Fancy Features

“Let me show you why people buy Kia ,” the TikToker says at the start of the clip, pointing to a black SUV from the Korean automaker. The video opens with a shot of the vehicle’s front, its hood propped open.

Next, he describes the car as visually appealing, pointing out its standout design elements.

“Reason number one, it’s not a bad-looking SUV. You’ve got these cool fog lights and these sleek headlights. Nice-looking 19-inch wheels,” he says, showcasing the vehicle’s rims.

He then opens the door to reveal the interior, which features tan leather with black accents. He also notes that the car is packed with advanced technology and features, even for a model released several years ago.

“An attractive two-tone leather interior. A massive panoramic sunroof, navigation, heated steering wheel, heated seats, cooled seats,” he says. “I mean, this thing’s got everything in it.”

Mechanical Issues?

Despite its stylish design and high-tech features, the TikToker argues that the car’s drivetrain is far from reliable.

“This one, with only 122,000 miles on it, has a locked-up engine,” he reveals before pointing to the Turbo GDi kit under the hood. “This engine is completely seized. It doesn’t spin—it’s total junk,” he quips.

Anticipating potential counterarguments, he addresses a common question: “Well, why don’t you just put a new engine in it? Well, let me show you what a replacement engine costs for this Kia,” he says.

He then displays a webpage listing used engines for this car model, highlighting in a text overlay that they cost around $5,000—excluding labor.

The video then cuts to a wrecked Honda sedan in a junkyard, its front end visibly smashed. A Toyota is also shown on camera.

“This is why a late-model Honda ends up in the junkyard. And this is why a late-model Toyota ends up in the junkyard,” he explains.

Next, he shifts to another Kia SUV in the same junkyard—this one has no visible body damage.

“Do you see any damage on this Kia?” he asks, panning to three more Kia and repeating the question. Each vehicle appears intact, with no obvious exterior damage.

Reliability and Efficiency

When it comes to long-term dependability and drivetrain quality, Toyota and Honda have consistently ranked among the top brands in Consumer Reports ratings. In the latest rankings, Toyota scored 62/100, Honda 59/100, while Kia trailed with a score of 51.

However, Car Edge notes that Kia has made strides in improving engine reliability over the years. The outlet also highlights that Kia has consistently placed in Consumer Reports’ top 10 most dependable automakers. Meanwhile, Motor Biscuit suggests that certain Kia models have negatively impacted the brand’s reputation, leading auto enthusiasts to view Kia’s reliability as a “mixed bag” when it comes to long-term drivetrain performance.

Viewers Were Divided on Kia

Some viewers argued that Kia vehicles can last a long time with proper maintenance. “If you actually change the oil once in a while, they’ll run forever,” one user commented.

Others suggested that the issue lies more with buyer habits than the cars themselves.

“Kia and Hyundai owners may be less likely to follow maintenance requirements,” another user wrote. “They because it was affordable, but they can’t always keep up with the upkeep.”

One user attributed the issue to poor maintenance habits: “Kia people don’t check their oil, do extended oil intervals, and use conventional oil.”

Another user suggested that engine variations by region play a role. “Bro, in America, you guys get the GDI engine. In other countries, we get the DOHC engine, which is better and lasts longer. We have four Korean cars at home and haven’t had any problems in the last 10 years,” they wrote.

However, some remained convinced that Kias are simply mechanically inferior.

“They have all the nice features, all the technology, but they need to fix the motor problems,” one commenter said. “Same thing with Hyundai. They’re super comfortable to drive with great features—and then they die.”

Phundi.com has reached out to Kia, Honda, Toyota, and Auto Parts City for comment via email.