Do Kia Use Honda Engines? (Let’s Find Out)

It’s no longer uncommon that most automobile companies to share their motor engines.

Often, this engine swap could be to improve a vehicle’s performance or to grow a good business relationship.

However, this practice isn’t familiar among all manufacturers, so keep reading to know whether Kia uses Honda engines. Besides that, you may be curious to know if Lotus & Acura uses Honda Engines or not?

At the moment, the Kia corporation doesn’t use Honda engines. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t interchange the engines of both car companies; in fact, it’s doable. For instance, auto mechanics can swap the engine of a Kia Soul for a Honda Fit because the Fit has a better fuel economy.

Is Kia Made by Honda?

No, Honda Motor Company does not make Kia. Instead, the multinational automobile manufacturer, Kia, is South Korea’s second-largest automaker making great strides in the motor industry.

Nonetheless, Hyundai Motor Company minority owns and sometimes makes Kia vehicles; it also holds a 33.88% stake in Kia’s shares.

On the one hand, the Hyundai Motor Group is a Chaebol consisting of Various industries.

The group was formed when the biggest member of the chaebol, Hyundai Motor Company, bought a major stake in Kia Corporation in 1998.

The Hyundai automobile industry purchased 51% of Kia, but as of 2013, Hyundai owns 34% of Kia. 

In addition, the Hyundai Motor Group is the parent of the Hyundai and Kia corporation. Notwithstanding, the group doesn’t have any central holding company or ownership structure.

But, in reality, the Hyundai Motor Company represents the group. 

Currently, the company owns two marques, namely Genesis Motor, for luxury cars, and Ioniq, an electric vehicle sub-brand.

And to date, Hyundai still owns a part of Kia Corporation. Therefore, the three brands all together comprise the Hyundai Motor Group.

Keep in mind that Kia and Hyundai aren’t the same in as much as they are related. It may interest you to know that Kia is the oldest of the two brands, despite being the smaller company.

Here’s another thing you should know about Kia, the industry was completely an independent entity before going bankrupt in 1997.

Later, the Hyundai Motor Group purchased the auto company in 1998 to keep it in operation.

Kia automobile company also has a stake indirectly in Hyundai through shares in Hyundai Steel and supplier Hyundai Mobis.

Despite this, Kia and Hyundai Motor Group operate separately. However, Hyundai is the parent company of Kia Motors. 

What Engines Does Kia Have?

The Kia automobile corporation continues to skyrocket over the years thanks to various powerful engine options.

Both the turbo and gasoline engines have performed well and have only experienced minor issues.

Away from that, the kappa and Gamma series have been the popular engine in most Kia models for a long time. 

I must say, most Kia models have multiple engine options. And this allows you to select your vehicle’s performance to your needs and desires.

Usually, a model made by Kia uses either the Hyundai or GEMA engines, and these engine types are available in different sizes.

You might conceive; Aren’t the two engines mentioned in the Hyundai industry? Yes, they are. However, Kia is a subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Company.

Therefore, these sorts of car engines, despite being owned by Hyundai, can also be used in Kia models.

Generally, most trim levels of the Kia Soul come with the 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine.

This machine beneath the bonnet makes an active 147 horsepower, and that’s totally not bad for a small car.

Furthermore, Kia vehicles come with engines of various displacements, ranging from 1.4 L, 1.8 L, 2.4 L, and more.

With all these, you may wonder how many engines Kia has? If so, you’re just in the right place because this write-up will deliver all the necessary information about Kia engines. Read our post about Does Honda Make A V8 Engine?

Let’s Start!

#1. Petrol Engine

It is a standard engine type, also known as a gasoline engine. It’s not unheard of and even unseen that Kia vehicles also use this engine type.

This engine is designed to run on petrol, and it’s doing well.

#2. Hyundai Gamma Engine

Kia initiated the utilization of the Hyundai Gamma engine in 2007. I’m sure, by the name, you already know the engine manufacturer, but if you haven’t, it’s Hyundai Motor Company.

There are 1.4 L and 1.6 L versions of this engine.

#3. Hyundai Nu Engine

Hyundai made this motor engine to fill the gap between the gamma engine. The Hyundai Nu is an inline-four engine equipped in some Kia models. As of this time, it’s available in 1.8 L and 2.0 L.

#4. Hyundai Kappa Engine

The Kia automobile company also uses this engine to make its cars. The kappa engine comprises three-cylinder and four-cylinder models.

It’s produced by Hyundai too, and the engine has many displacements.

Today, all these engines are equipped with turbochargers to obtain greater power. As a result, the Kia now has more efficiency than its leading competitors with these turbo engines.

This engine makes Kia’s unbelievable performance and, to an extent, makes fuel efficiency possible.

Where Are Kia Engines Manufactured?

To start with, Kia proudly has 14 manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America.

In addition, it has four manufacturing plants in South Korea and additional ones in China, Japan, India, and Vietnam in Asia.

Meanwhile, in North America, it has its manufacturing centers in Mexico and the United States of America.

On the other hand, in Europe, Kia has a plant in Slovakia, and the automobile industry is also affiliated with Germany.

So I’d talk more about the main areas where the Kia automobile engines are manufactured.

Ensure you keep reading to realize what there is to know about where Kia engines are crafted and made.

#1. South Korea

The country maintains four manufacturing plants that make Kia parts and engines.

They include Autoland Gwangmyeong, Kia’s first integrated automobile manufacturing plant in Seoul, the company’s headquarters, and the country’s capital.

The auto Gwangmyeong, also known as Sohari Plant, produced Kia’s first internal combustion engine.

#2. United States

For now, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), Kia’s plant in West Point, Georgia, is one of its kind in the region.

The facility currently manufactures the fourth (2021) generation Sorento and other general Kia generations.

Since Kia has made headway in the US, the plant also produces some Kia engines.

#3. Slovakia

The Zilina plant is the first Kia manufacturing facility in Europe. This center is located in Zilina, Slovakia.

Nonetheless, the motor industry has manufactured some engines, and this factory focuses on the production of the Kia Ceed model.

What Is the Problem With Kia Engines?

In truth, the troubles of Kia and Hyundai Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines are much more complex than you can think.

However, Hyundai Motor Company has taken some effective actions to address engine issues.

These steps even include conducting several recalls and providing extended warranties, enhancing customer service, and launching a new engine monitoring technology.

Several reports have indicated that the 2016 Kia Soul engine is prone to blowing up, especially at around 90,000 miles.

Unfortunately, customers started complaining of Kia engine problems since they sold it internationally in 2010.

Notwithstanding, there has been a bit of improvement in Hyundai and Kia engines compared to five years ago.

At any rate, there are a few frequent Kia engine problems. These are problems that owners and lessees have reported.

They are outlined below;

• Loss of Power while driving.
• The engine creates knocking sounds.
• The vehicle refuses to start.
• Overheating of the engine bay.
• Leaks.
• Sudden non-collision fires.
• Catastrophic engine failure.

 A few of these engine troubles associated with your Kia vehicle could cause a severe road accident.

Similarly, engine problems can also cause potential safety hazards for Kia drivers and others on the road.

But, not to worry, the Hyundai motor industry it’s doing its best to stabilize the situation.

Conclusion

The South Korean international car company, the Kia corporation, currently doesn’t use Honda engines.

Instead, this subsidiary motor industry of the Hyundai Motor Group uses Hyundai and GEMA engines.

On the other hand, you can decide to swap a compatible Honda engine for your Kia soul, but this process is time-consuming.