Two years ago, a group of teens broke into my Kia Sportage and ended up crashing it into a daycare, completely totaling it. Luckily, it happened late at night when the daycare was closed, so no one else was hurt, but the teens all had to be hospitalized.
I’m currently halfway through a lease on a 2023 Volvo C40 and looking around for my next EV. The Kia EV9 has caught my eye; it really seems like a great value and fits my needs. However, I’m hesitant to go with Kia/Hyundai again because of that experience. Theft and break-ins are still common in my area, and I don’t want to risk putting another car on the road that might be targeted and put others in danger.
Does anyone know if Kia’s EVs, particularly the EV9, are better protected from theft? Would love to hear any experiences, tips, or thoughts on safety for Kia/Hyundai EVs. Thanks!
Nathan said:
No push-to-start vehicles, including Kia EVs, were affected by the Kia Boys’ methods. Kia EVs all use push-to-start systems.
True, but even though these models are safer, Kia and Hyundai cars can be more expensive to insure. Sometimes it’s just the brand association—even if your car’s not at risk, people may still try to break in.
Generally, EVs are less of a target for theft since they’re seen as more complex and often easier to trace if stolen. Plus, their design tends to stand out, so it’s not likely someone would mistake them for an older model.
The theft issue was mainly with Kia/Hyundai models that had key-start ignitions instead of push-to-start. Those models lacked immobilizers, making it possible to start them with a USB cable after breaking the steering column. This isn’t a problem in push-to-start models like the newer EVs, and they’ve also added immobilizers to affected vehicles from previous years.
Both the EV9 and EV6 are not vulnerable to the “Kia Boyz” theft methods. While any car can technically be stolen with the right equipment, professional thieves usually target high-end cars, not EVs. Random teens don’t typically have the tools or knowledge to break into a newer EV.
Every car brand has had recalls at some point. The theft issue was a big one for Kia, but as long as they’ve fixed it, I wouldn’t worry about their overall quality.
abidemi said:
Every car brand has had recalls at some point. The theft issue was a big one for Kia, but as long as they’ve fixed it, I wouldn’t worry about their overall quality.
I think this thread is just about theft concerns, though—not general recalls.
@jessicah
It was actually a recall since the theft risk was such a big vulnerability. Kia and Hyundai issued immobilizers for free to affected models to help stop the thefts.
Kia EVs have immobilizers, so they can’t be hot-wired with a USB cable. That said, some thieves might not know this and could still try breaking in. I wouldn’t let this deter you, though—the EV9 is a great choice!
Honestly, I’d be more concerned with brand recognition for potential vandalism than outright theft for Kia/Hyundai EVs. EVs are easier to track, so insurance rates would be my main consideration. And if you’re leasing, setting a deductible at $500 keeps your risk low.
I’ve had a Niro EV for five years with no issues. If it ever were stolen, I could track it with the app—although I would need to pay for the premium service for full tracking.