Gateway Kia of North Brunswick NJ — Local services in North Brunswick Township

It was our first lease from a dealership, we got our previous 3 cars through a broker, but as it was a new brand and our first EV, we thought it was safer to have a place to go if we have issues so I can only compare it to that and not to another dealership. This is also only a leasing experience, can’t comment on their service which might be outstanding.

Pros: It was nice to try and get a car the same day. They did acknowledge that they couldn't compete with brokers on price but we went with them anyway (see reasons above). I appreciated the honesty.

Cons: With the broker I usually spent 1-2 hours on the phone total per lease to figure out model, color, trim, insurance, finances, etc and maybe 15 minutes when the car was delivered to sign the papers and swap keys. At the dealership we spent 7 hours total on a Saturday. 1 hour just waiting for an available agent, and about 2-3 at the end just waiting for the paperwork to be printed and signed. A friend in GA had an even worse experience when getting their Kia a month later so this might be normal. Being a brand dealership I thought they would know everything about the few models they had but found out later while using and reading about the car they actually didn’t. None of them were deal breakers, most of them actually work better in reality than what they said but being a geek, I wanted to know things and was disappointed to find out they weren’t actually experts on them. We got the car in February, they said they couldn't give us the free L2 charger because it was so late by the time we finished (~7pm) that the parts storage room was closed and haven't received it since (early July now). For a while it was backorder, then shipped but no delivery ETA, then backorder again and then maybe it was all because KIA changed their adapter or that they don't even have the same model EVs on the lot now. We'll have to drive regularly out of state soon so I wanted to upgraded the home charging situation before August (which I told them a few times over the last few months) so I gave up today and purchased one online. I called them twice just this past week so they would at least tell me the model to order but first I was promised a call back that didn't happen, and today I was first switched from sales to service then to parts and then hung up after 15 minutes of nice music so I ended up googling what to get. Unfortunately I only realized now that we probably missed the installation incentives from the local power company waiting so long.

We love the car, it’s the best car we’ve ever had, but the overall leasing experience has been much worse than with our broker. Maybe it was just an unlucky, busy day and just an EV specific issue having been promised a charger and without these it would have been all fine. They did say since they need to keep cars on the lot and a nice big place and free coffee, etc they will have more overhead compared to a broker so maybe that’s why they can’t have more finance people printing and signing contracts and folks getting chargers or not promising them if they cannot deliver but I don’t feel doing this again if the other way is just so much faster, cheaper and less stressful. Apart from driving home the same day in a nice, shiny...

VERY UNFORTUNATELY I can’t write a review with zero or negative stars…

“At kia, our mission is to provide your with an exceptional ownership experience by providing the highest levels of quality, value, and convenience during every service visit” “Provide you an accurate time and parts estimate for all work and only for work deemed necessary”

Both of these points are clearly displayed on their wall. I’m EXTREMELY disappointed with my visits (yes plural). I went to go get my turn signal fixed on the right side. My car was functioning PERFECTLY it was just the turn signal. I even have papers indicating that the car was in good shape from previous visits. They called me saying the break fluid and stuff needed to be replaced and so we figured it would be better for the car. We paid MORE than 2k. They gave it back to us that afternoon, two days later the LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT DIDNT WORK?!?! So we went back and they charged us 80 more dollars just to change the light bulb…. They gave it back to us that same day again. Then 2 more days later and the car just stopped mid drive. Not only did it stop but all the lights on the dashboard turned on and the doors kept locking and unlocking, it was so creepy. We took the car back to kia and literally a WEEK went by without a phone call and I called multiple times. We showed up on a Saturday and they told us everything seemed to be working fine now. They claimed they called me, which is a BLATANT lie. I double checked my call log and everything, it did not happen or it did not go through. I thought maybe it just didn’t go through. So they told us everything was working well and that we should drive it 10 thousand miles, we took it to the laundry that’s like 5 minutes from my house and the car did it again. All the dash lights and the locking and unlocking. We took it straight back to kia, they were very apologetic and told us they needed to call California and get pictures to figure out what’s wrong with our car. They said they’d call me on Monday since that’s when they would reach California too. She did call me on Monday and said that on Tuesday I’d have a better update since they technician was starting to work on it. Did not get a call for days and it was Thursday so I figured I’d call. I called around 2:30-3 ish. When I did she said two technicians were working on it and that she’d call me later. She called me around 6 to tell me that they were still working on it and that they had replaced the clock spring. She said she’d call me again on Friday. Not a call on Friday at all. My brother in law called on Saturday for me and they said they called me and left a message. I’ve never been more upset. They did NOT call me, and most definitely DID NOT leave a message. I thought the first time the call didn’t go through when they “called me”, so it was an honest mistake, but now I think they just lie. I did NOT receive a call or a message that’s for sure. They said that it would take 5 k to replace the 4WD ecu and the wire harness.

Why would I pay 7k+ in total when my turn signal was the only thing that wasn’t working?!?! I went to go pick it up today instead 6/30....

I am thrilled to share my exceptional experience purchasing a vehicle at KIA, thanks to Sales Associate Syed Naqvi and his outstanding supervisors, Anthony and Barry. From start to finish, their professionalism, expertise, and dedication transformed what can often be a stressful process into a seamless and enjoyable journey. Syed exemplifies what every customer hopes for in a salesperson: knowledge without pressure, patience without hesitation, and integrity without compromise. His ability to address every question with clarity, maintain a calm demeanor, and infuse genuine kindness into the interaction was remarkable. Even when navigating complexities, Syed’s resilience and commitment to transparency ensured a no-nonsense, trustworthy experience.

KIA’s reputation for value and innovation is well-earned, but it is employees like Syed—supported by leaders like Anthony and Barry—who truly elevate the brand. While no process is without minor challenges, Syed’s unwavering positivity and polished professionalism not only resolved any concerns but left me feeling valued and confident in my decision.

To anyone seeking a car-buying experience defined by respect, expertise, and heart: I wholeheartedly recommend connecting with Syed Naqvi. His team’s ability to deliver excellence with grace is a testament to KIA’s commitment to its customers. A sincere thank you to all involved—this is how loyalty is earned.

Syed Naqvi Anthony & Barry, and the whole Gateway KIA Team, Exceptional service deserves exceptional recognition, It is indeed a joy to reflect on a car-buying experience that felt less like a transaction and more like a collaboration with friends!

They didn’t just sell me a car—they curated a moment I’ll cherish. From the first conversation, Syed’s blend of warmth and wisdom put me at ease, proving that expertise doesn’t have to come with ego.

Syed navigated every question with the patience of a mentor and the precision of an engineer, never once letting the conversation feel rushed or sales-driven. His humor and humility turned what could have been a sterile negotiation into a dialogue filled with laughter and mutual respect. Even when delays arose, his upbeat energy felt authentic, never forced. Anthony's and Barry's leadership clearly creates a culture where transparency thrives. Their behind-the-scenes support ensured every detail aligned perfectly in the end, like a well-orchestrated symphony.

KIA’s reputation for innovation is undeniable, but it’s ambassadors like Syed who breathe life into the brand. Minor hiccups? They existed, but Syed’s unwavering poise transformed them into mere footnotes. To anyone dreading the dealership dance: Syed is your antidote. His ability to balance professionalism with heartfelt care is rare—a testament to how KIA empowers its teams to prioritize people over quotas and $$$.

Thank you!! again for reminding me that the best purchases aren’t just about what you buy, but who guides you along the way. You’ve earned a customer—and a cheerleader—for life.

#THANKS #KIA in #northbrunswicknj and beyond. #KIAperfection...