Kia

After recently spending over $42K to purchase a Kia Sportage I was very bitterly disappointed to discover that a hardcopy version of the owners… Read more

manual was not supplied! How ridiculous to expect customers to use their electronic devices to access important information needed when familiarising yourself with a new car! For instance waiting at traffic lights and a warning light illuminates on the dash. You can't pick up your phone to determine what it means can you? I have incurred extra expense in having a hardcopy printed and bound for my own reference and had I known this fact prior to deciding between 2 differing cars I would have chosen the other vehicle and will probably not consider Kia for my next new car purchase.

Went to kia reynella to look at a sorento GT Line, I am in a wheelchair and wanted to check suitability and size etc. I asked about the 2027 model… Read more

and when its coming out, was basically told there’s no such thing and it’s probably AI that i’d seen online, i tried to show her the video, she wasn't interested and rude. There was no suggestion about looking into it further etc to help us out. They were quite rude, and seemed distracted. We jumped in the car to check out the interior and the woman who was looking after us said she’d be back in a minute and we couldn't start the vehicle until she came back, then she disappeared again, finally came back and abruptly asked us if we had any more questions, we were made to feel like they couldn't get rid of us fast enough, worst experience ever! Considering we’re looking at spending a large amount on a brand new car which we've never had before. We’ll be taking our money elsewhere!

Great car until the warranty (7 years) was finished. Engine over heated. Finance team is fantastic, easy to deal with.

Just purchased 2026 sorento S. My main grip is NO USB ports in 2nd or 3rd row, there is a 12 volt station there. How out dated is this. I will have… Read more

my grsndkids in the car at times and will have to purchase something so they can charge phones. To people with kids this could be a Deal breaker. Kia get your act together and port these ports in. For $60,000 i would expect them. Hope the car goes ok.

I purchased this vehicle from the Dealership and all Servicing was done at the dealership from 2013 to 2021. This is important because about 2021 I… Read more

noticed that the Paintwork on the Rear Right passenger Door was beginning to peel. So I approached the Dealership who blamed 1) The heat 2) Servicing done by others 3) My fault.

Until I wrote a blog and they took notice. Only to say that they would repaint only the door if I took down the blog. They made me promise that should the paint work deteriorate any where else on the car they would not fix it.

Guess what in 2025, The paint work on the bonnet is dropping off in large patches. The Paint work on the windshield trim running blotches all the way from top to bottom. The other doors also showing patches. Essentially the Metallic Blue paint on the body work with thin 10years is looking like a patient with Vitiligo.

I feel when I saw the car at the dealer ship in 2013 and requested that instead of the white Kia RIO Hatch, could I have the Blue. They must have taken it into the back & repainted the white & sold it to me or repainted Metallic Blue onto a vehicle with already defective paintwork.

So a 10 year old Car that has barely reached 100,000km , parked mainly at home in the driveway is losing its paintwork & the Dealership won't take any responsibility - who else is going too?

A Car , 10 years old ONLY, is losing its original paintwork. My 30year old Red Daihatsu Charade maintained its colour till I gave it away. And Yet a 10 Year Old Kia Rio in metallic blue cannot!!!!! Perhaps there should be a disclaimer to say that after 10 years Kia Rio cars cannot guarantee their original paintwork. Or should the Disclaimer read " All Kia Rio's purchased from that Dealership cannot be guaranteed"

I purchased a 3/4-year-old KIA about 10 months ago. I have had nothing but issues with it but so far KIA has been nothing short of a disappointment.… Read more

Slow to reply via online contact... I have to keep calling and be put on hold for long period of time.... their dealerships advising they have no one to assess the car and Oakleigh, Springvale and Southland all claiming that it would be weeks for a booking. The Alternators have failed... 3/4-year-old! and the car is not safe to drive.... but I think KIA's after market is pathetic.... not interested in rectifying a warranty issue telling me that this issue might not be a warranty repair... $300+ to simply assess the car... and their recording expects staff to be treated with respect... one wonders why they have to remind customers to be nice to their people... respect goes both ways. I will now refer the matter to Consumer Affairs Victoria...and if there are people out there with same poor service, I would suggest you also reach out to Fair Trading or Consumer Affairs in your state or territory. I have also lodge a complaint with the ACCC.. They monitor businesses misbehaving and look at trends... KIA telling me that this is not a warranty repair might constitute misleading and/or deceptive conduct under the ACL... although the ACCC will not release any correspondence with KIA (if any is made). I am hoping to hear from Fair Trading soon.. because it is not on for such big businesses to rip off the Australian public and get away with it. Think twice before buying a KIA... Not worth the effort! 24/04- I have now heard from Fair Trading, ACCC and and a third contact... this one I will action later on. I will keep those who have or are facing similar issues up to date.

I am extremely disappointed with the service from this Kia dealership sydney city kia alexandria. My vehicle is still under manufacturer warranty,… Read more

yet a clear and ongoing fault has not been properly diagnosed or repaired despite multiple visits. Few months back i came with the issue of turbo hose leaking that’s still not resolved and they gave me excuses except to fix the problem under warranty. I gave them bad review and very next day I received call from manager to remove the review and will look after to solve the problem. But last month again second time i went with another issue Kia carnival battery drain they said we are very busy can’t do anything have to wait till march. I requested them to please fix it soon, daily morning time i have to jump start and battery flat anytime. But they didn’t pay much attention and said come in march month. Somehow from last one month I managing to keep start car with jump start. But a week ago battery totally dead and powerless and i went to private mechanic, he listen to me and gave me a demo battery to try for a week to diagnose the problem either it’s battery problem or any other electric issue. So for one week I tried the demo battery and vehicle start smoothly and no need for jump starter. Again on monday 2nd February 2026 i went to dealership and informed the issue is with battery that’s need to be replaced urgent basis and it’s still under warranty. I can request to private mechanic to keep battery with me for couple of days. But Kia service workshop Guys not ready to listen me. Even i spoke with manager he said simply and straight can’t do anything that’s your problem not ours, come on appointment date of march month. Then i said it’s still under manufacturer warranty. I can wait couple of days but they simply not interested. So i gave another option if you don’t have time i can arrange my private job and you can pay the invoice. But they said big No. So enough is enough now. This has wasted my time, caused ongoing inconvenience, and shaken my confidence in both the dealership and the brand. A warranty should protect customers, not be avoided. Each time, I was told the issue was “normal” and i have to visit for the same problem to return. There has been no accountability, no proper explanation, and no permanent solution, which defeats the whole purpose of having a warranty. I would not recommend this Kia Service Alexandria service to anyone expecting professional support or genuine warranty repairs. I am now forced to escalate this matter further.

I would like to Thank David Daniel and his manager at Ferntree Gully Kia their service was above and beyond. I rang to enquire if the car we were… Read more

interested in could be brought to our house, they went to the trouble getting from their holding yard and delivered for my wife to test drive. Today we took delivery such a smooth process. If looking to purchase new Kia give them a call you won’t be disappointed. 0397531888.

Overall, I enjoyed the acceleration, drive. It has excellent suspension. The visibility from inside at times is limited. I found the following points… Read more

anoying with this car:

1. Interior Console Glare The surface around the gear selector is highly reflective and produces significant glare in bright sunlight.

2. Electrical Lockout Issue The vehicle’s electrical system sporadically locks the ignition, preventing startup. Screenshots of the dashboard notification are available upon request.

3. Tight-Space Maneuverability The turning circle is too wide, making it difficult to steer in confined parking areas. I’m happy to provide additional details if needed.

4. Audio System Quality The sound system lacks clarity and definition, likely due to the use of lower-grade speakers

I owned a demo near new 2025 Kia K4 S (base model with the Safety Pack) and drove it for approximately 20,000 km over close to a year. Below is my… Read more

honest, opinion based, real‑world ownership experience.

Resale - I paid $29,990 for a demo K4 in June 2024, and by the time I looked to trade it in—less than a year later—the car had already suffered 15–20% depreciation. That level of value loss in such a short period is significant by any standard. Several dealers were not keen to take the K4 as a trade in at all, largely because Kia has been aggressively discounting demo and near new stock to clear inventory. This directly undermines resale values and leaves recent buyers exposed. The problem is exacerbated by the base model K4 S flooding the used market. Supply clearly outweighs demand, particularly compared to the Sport and GT Line variants, which sit at a higher price point and attract a different buyer profile. As a result, the S model is the weakest performer from a depreciation standpoint. By comparison, my move to a Mazda CX 5 is objectively stronger from a long term value and depreciation perspective, not just a driving one. A 2018 CX 5, purchased new for roughly $32,000 drive away, was still retailing at $26,888 after eight years. That equates to far slower, more predictable depreciation, and highlights just how poorly the K4 performs when value retention is taken into account.

Safety - The safety tech is excellent, no complaints there. Beyond that, there’s very little to praise. Strong driver‑assist features alone do not justify the K4’s near $30k price point.

Transmission - The K4 is fitted with Kia’s IVT (their CVT equivalent), and unfortunately, it’s not a transmission I enjoyed. As with most CVTs, it feels disconnected and unrefined. What makes this worse is that the previous Cerato used a traditional 6‑speed automatic, which was a brilliant gearbox. Subaru shows that CVTs can be done well, but Kia still has a long way to go. Kia if you are reading this, please bring back a conventional automatic.

Engine – Powered by a 2.0‑litre engine, the car is noticeably slow on take‑off, requiring extra care when merging into traffic or making quick moves at intersections. With momentum, performance becomes acceptable, but it never feels particularly strong or confident.

Interior – The interior is let down by extensive use of hard, flimsy plastics. The steering wheel, armrest, and dashboard all feel cheap to the touch, detracting from the overall driving experience. One positive is the fabric upholstery, which has proven durable and held up well during ownership.

Electrics - no rain sensing wiper, shame!

Exterior – Following three months of WA summer temperatures, a visible gap appeared where the rear bumper meets the body. This indicates possible thermal expansion or material quality issues, which is disappointing given the vehicle had only just undergone its first summer.

AC – Main deal breaker - The air‑conditioning vents are positioned quite low, around belly level, meaning airflow is directed away from the upper body. To compensate, the vents have to be angled upwards, and the fan speed increased, which makes the cabin noticeably noisy—yet still struggles to cool the upper body effectively. This was particularly uncomfortable during the WA summer. In my view, Kia prioritised the large display screen to appeal to buyers, and the air‑conditioning system was compromised as a result. Even at the lowest temperature setting, the system fails to blow sufficiently cold air.

Windscreen – Intermittent sharp knocking sound like a stone hitting the windscreen, single sharp knock near the base of the windscreen more noticeable at low speed. Lodged a complain with Kia, apparently its normal!!!

Brakes – a strong resonant or booming brake sound when backing out cold, logged in with Kia, apparently its normal!!!

Fuel – very good

Wiper blades – change to the good stuff as the originals are useless

I’ve since replaced the K4 with a 2018 Mazda CX‑5. Despite being older and a base‑spec model, the Mazda feels superior in terms of build quality in every respect. Overall, it’s a much more engaging car to drive, and one I genuinely enjoy being behind the wheel of.

Verdict: If you’re working with a $30k budget, it’s worth comparing a few options before deciding. While the large screen and safety tech is impressive, it shouldn’t be the main draw. The car performs well enough as a daily driver and fulfils its role, but if you do choose the K4, the higher‑spec models are likely the better buy in terms of fit, finish, and overall performance. Credit where it’s due, Kia’s after‑sales and warranty service has been very good.

Great EV but just a little too expensive – The Kia Niro GT-Line brings in higher quality feeling materials, like better seat materials than the entry level Niro and elevated different interior… Read more

trim materials.

Over bumps and uneven roads, the Niro never generated a squeak that sounded out of place.

Priced from $72,100 before on-road costs and incentives, this electric Kia is slightly more affordable than the EV6.

It boasts 460km of WLTP range; that’s a competitive range against similarly priced cars. Although, if you can sacrifice the SUV body shape, you’ll get better value in a sedan shape offered by Tesla and Polestar.

If you don’t need that much range, the MG ZS EV will provide the electric SUV experience for nearly $30,000 less.

This electric Kia comes with a 7 year/unlimited kilometre warranty, and high voltage parts are covered by a 7 year warranty, but only up to 150,000km.

Over seven years, the Niro EV will only cost you $1754 to service over 7 yearly services, or every 15,000km. That’s a whole lot less than the hybrid alternatives.

Noise isolation felt superior, particularly thanks to the fact there was no petrol motor onboard.

The upgraded speaker system in the Niro GT-Line helped increase cabin isolation and immersion, and the upgrade is absolutely worth it.

There was some noticeable electric motor noise under heavy acceleration, but nothing out of the ordinary. If you’re looking for a silent daily driver, the Niro is an excellent introduction into electric car ownership.

Adjustable regenerative braking is available via the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. You can coast, use one-pedal driving mode, or simply hold a paddle to let the car decide for you in Auto mode.

I loved the one-pedal driving experience here, making it just a little easier to live with when driving around town. Trust me, you feel like you’re taking a step back when you drive a car without the ability to brake once you lift off the throttle.

Don’t expect a rival to a Tesla or a Polestar when it comes to acceleration. There’s no ludicrous mode, but there is a Sport mode.

The electric motor is found between the front wheels, making the Niro EV exclusively front-wheel drive. This motor produces 150kW (201hp) and 255Nm, allowing this family SUV to hurdle to 100km/h in 7.8 seconds.

That instant torque feels a lot faster than a petrol equivalent with the same specifications.

I really enjoyed the look and feel of the rotary shift dial in the Niro EV, however that’s about it.

The lower centre of gravity helps the Niro EV corner a whole lot better than its petrol-powered counterparts.

I found that it was extremely entertaining in corners, and composed when daily driving in the city. The extra weight can make the Niro feel like a more substantial car, but it also will cause the car to ‘crash’ harder on potholes and harsh speed bumps.

The only issue I found when handling was the instant torque to the front wheels. If it’s particularly slippery, and if you give it too much throttle mid-corner, those front wheels will squeal. This is a reason why I prefer rear-wheel drive electric cars.

Kia claims 16.2kWh per 100km of driving. You’ll achieve that in bumper to bumper traffic and on small highway stints. However, I found it closer to 19kWh per 100km in my combined tests. And as mentioned, there’s a claimed 460km of electric range when at 100% charge.

I found the real world range to be just above 400km per charge. It’s not as fast charging as the Kia EV6, which is capable of receiving 350kW of DC charge. The Kia Niro will only accept up to 80kW of DC charge, meaning charging from 0 to 80% will take 45 minutes from a 100kW charger. That’s a little slow considering the rest of Kia and Hyundai’s electric cars are adopting faster charging batteries.

Clearly inspired by the Kia EV6, the Niro’s interior brings all the right features and design cues to fix what was a very bland interior.

I especially love the seat design, steering wheel, centre console design and the curved displays that all help to make the Niro feel just like an EV should: futuristic.

There’s 475L of boot space in the Niro EV, with an additional 20L found in the front boot, AKA the froot or the frunk.

You’re considering this because the idea of a small SUV is the most appealing for you. You want a little extra range, warranty and features, and that’s why you’re looking at this Niro EV compared to something like a MG ZS EV or a BYD ATTO 3.

You’ve got stiff competition from Hyundai with the Kona EV, which has a brand new update coming soon that’ll make Kia shake in their tyres.

If you don’t need a lifted car like this crossover, I’d suggest buying a Tesla Model 3 or a Polestar 2 because of their superior battery technology and slightly better driving experience for less money.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.