Mechanic Orders Parts. Then He Says Kia And Hyundai Are The ‘Exact Same Company’: 'You’re Paying For A Logo'

An automotive service tech shared a tip on buying car parts: check out offerings from different brands. He also specifically points to Kia and Hyundai as a prime example of brands whose parts are interchangeable.

In a video posted to OEM Auto Parts Direct’s (@travelandlivelife) social media, he says that since they’re owned by the same company and many of the vehicles in their lineups share platforms, drivers can save money when shopping for repairs.

Does Kia = Hyundai?

“Here’s another debate … there’s a Hyundai logo and a Kia logo,” he states, while holding up two packages to the camera. Each is emblazoned with branding from the respective vehicle manufacturers. However, according to him, there’s nothing different about what's inside the boxes and under the hoods of Kias and Hyundais.

“Kia and Hyundai are the exact same companies. You can see that these things look identical. Same style, font, script," he says.

He suggests looking for specific identifiers when shopping for vehicle components. “But if you send a part … the exact same part number that says Hyundai to Kia or vice versa, people lose their mind. Same part. You’re just paying more for a premium Hyundai logo. Literally,” he claims

The mechanic isn’t the only one to discuss the mechanical similarities between Hyundai and Kia. A Reddit user in r/cars opined, “Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are the same corporate family and do have parts sharing."

Tomball Hyundai also says that when it comes to what’s going on under the hood, Kia and Hyundais are very alike: “Since they’re both part of Hyundai Motor Group, Kia and Hyundai vehicles often share the same powertrain, platforms, and components behind the scenes.”

The dealership also says that “vehicle performance, fuel economy, and long-term reliability” are the same for Kia and Hyundai cars. The most salient differences between the two entities, according to the Tomball Hyundai, is styling and overall feel. “But what you see and feel, design, ride quality, cabin materials, dashboard layout, is different. You might be surprised at how unique a Kia Optima feels compared to a Hyundai Sonata, even if they share some DNA under the hood," it writes.

Other Brands That Share Components

Kia and Hyundai aren’t the only brands that share many components.

Volkswagen Group owns multiple brands. Audi, Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini, SEAT, Skoda, CUPRA, and, of course, Volkswagen, all fall under the Volkswagen umbrella. So it isn’t surprising that many cars across these lineups share similar components.

VW and Audi drivers may notice that the engines in some models, such as the Atlas and Q7, are very similar. Albeit, they are tuned to different specifications, with the Audi variants creating higher power outputs. 

BMSDFW reports that “streamlined production and manufacturing” are benefits of using shared platforms. And it isn’t uncommon to see parts for one car brand owned by a parent company that will work just fine in another.

This is even true for their luxury counterparts, too, such as Lexuses and Toyotas. It’s not uncommon to see Toyota-branded components nestled inside a Lexus. As Jalopnik writes: “Toyota and Lexus share more DNA … than even most enthusiasts may realize… many Lexus models borrow Toyota platforms, engines, and supplier networks.”

Check The Parts Number

Moreover, Jalopnik says that the best way to ensure the items will work between brands under the same company is to check the corresponding parts numbers. “The difference between a smart shortcut and a wasted return label often comes down to part numbers…start with your VIN, confirm the OEM part number, then cross-shop,” the outlet wrote.

The same goes for Kia and Hyundai. Take the 2025 Telluride and Palisade, for instance. Kia OEM Parts Online sells a transfer case with the same part number as its Hyundai counterpart.

It bears mention that some parts are identical across brands but don’t share the same part number.

So if you own a vehicle built on the same platform as another, you may want to check whether the parent company identical parts at lower prices.

Motor1 has reached out to Hyundai and Kia via email, and OEM Auto Parts Direct via TikTok direct message for further comment. We'll update this if either responds.