Few, if any, automakers have advanced as much as Kia, a Korean automaker. Not all of their contemporary vehicles, though, are excellent.
Kia would probably win if there was a prize for the automaker with the greatest improvement. Over time, they have recovered from bankruptcy, fire, and recall troubles to produce vehicles with a stellar safety record. That’s no minor achievement for a company that began as a producer of bicycle parts and steel tubing. And this despite the fact that the majority of people still mistakenly identify Kia’s automobiles with subpar components and issues.
August 2021 revision: We’ve updated this list to appropriately reflect the greatest and worst contemporary cars from the Korean automaker in light of Kia’s recent success with their models as well as the exciting new K5 midsize sedan, which was recently unveiled.
With Hyundai Motor Business as its parent company, Kia is currently flexing distinctive luxury automobile designs, high production numbers, and sales throughout the world, and has found its way into the hands of extremely well-known car critics. Here are some of the most well-liked Kia cars, listed from best to worst, without further ado.
In This Article...
Which used Kia is the most trustworthy?
Optima Kia After the Optima’s initial problems, Kia quickly bounced back and has since improved the vehicle to rank among the most dependable choices the Korean manufacturer provides.
What drawbacks exist with Kia vehicles?
Kia may have improved in a number of areas, such as the electronic and hybrid market, but some of their models still fall short when it comes to safety. For instance, reviews of the Kia Seltos have been mostly negative due to the lack of safety features that are commensurate with the vehicle’s pricing.
Both hill hold and brake assist are absent. At the moment, features like an electric parking brake are rather widespread. The Kia Rio, which lacks adaptive cruise control, a review camera, and even blind-spot monitoring, is the same.
What model of Kia is the best?
a Kia K5 GT. The starting price for the top-tier K5 GT variant is $31,190. The GT has an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and a 290-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
Is Toyota superior to Kia?
According to a J.D. Power research from 2019, Kia has the highest initial quality in the non-premium segment in the United States. The 2016 Kia Soul, 2016 Toyota Corolla, Prius, and Prius V were all rated as being among the most dependable vehicles on the road by J.D. Power.
Why is the Kia Sportage broken?
There were undoubtedly a number of issues with the Kia Sportage that were sold in the US. Some engine failures were linked to a bad batch of engine bearings, while others were attributed to an oil sump leak that allowed too much oil to leave, starving the engine of oil until it was completely wrecked. The latter issue was resolved by Kia by installing an oil-pressure warning light with a more pro-active trigger-point.
However, making the assumption that the same make and model sold in the USA (or anywhere else) will have the same issues as cars delivered in Australia is risky. Even if they have the same name and emblem, cars from different markets frequently come from various manufacturers and use parts from various sources. To adapt to local conditions and preferences, there are occasionally significant mechanical adjustments made, which can produce quite varied dependability results.
However, some owners have reported issues with the Theta engines found in local Kias, including catastrophic engine breakdowns. Even though the vehicle is only nine years old and has comparatively few miles on it, there is no certainty that Kia Australia will offer financial assistance with the cost of repairs.
Which Kia models are trustworthy?
Yes, Kia reliability is above average, to put it succinctly. Even though Kia had a bad reputation when it initially entered the US market about 20 years ago, a lot has changed since then. Currently, the brand is rated 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing third out of 32 brands of automobiles.
RepairPal uses driver-reported information on brand average yearly repair costs, the frequency of unexpected repairs, and the seriousness of needed repairs to calculate dependability scores. Kias and other vehicles with high RepairPal reliability ratings are less likely to experience frequent mechanical problems.
Kia offers one of the greatest new car warranties in the business as a guarantee for the dependability of its vehicles. Kia significantly outperforms the industry standard of three years for bumper-to-bumper coverage and five years for the powertrain. The Kia guarantee comprises a ten-year powertrain warranty as well as a five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Your Kia should last for at least ten years if you follow up with routine maintenance. If not, the majority of significant problems are probably covered by warranty.
Kia Factory Warranty
One of the best manufacturer warranties in the industry is offered by Kia. A new Kia vehicle includes:
- 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty for five years.
- Powertrain warranty of 10 years and 100,000 miles
- Warranty against perforation for 5 years and 100,000 miles
- Roadside assistance coverage for 5 years and 60,000 miles
Kia J.D. Power Awards
Kia has received numerous J.D. Power honors for a variety of automobiles. The Kia Soul, Forte, Sorento, and Sedona, for instance, each received the Highest Quality award that year. A J.D. Power Dependability award was additionally given to the 2016 Kia Soul in 2019. This prize takes into account issues with used cars that are three years old.
What year would be ideal for a pre-owned Kia?
Consumer Reports hasn’t given the Kia Soul a particularly high reliability rating since the model first debuted. Only three model years have received a reliability rating of 4 out of 5 from the professional reviewers. Some of them scored a dismal 1 out of 5, which immediately labels any model as one to avoid. The years 2011, 2018, and 2019 have the greatest expected reliability scores, according to CR. Therefore, these are your greatest choices if you’re seeking for a used car that will survive for a long time.
Consumer Reports then rates vehicles based on owner satisfaction. This evaluation is based on the general contentment of numerous car owners. How much upkeep was necessary? How pleasant was the drive? The most crucial question is: Would the owner buy the model again? Owner satisfaction for the Soul has not historically been very high, similar to reliability. The finest used Kia Soul model years to purchase, based on past owner satisfaction, are the 2021, 2019, 2018, 2013, and 2011. Each, however, only scored a 3 out of 5 satisfaction rating, making them all mediocre choices.
How far is a Kia’s lifespan?
People used to love to despise Kia as a brand. Although Kia is now known for producing high-quality cars like the Telluride, the South Korean carmaker has had a difficult past. You may have be aware that Kia has turned the corner and is now one of the most well-known brands on the international market.
There are undoubtedly plenty of Kia models available if you’re interested in purchasing one. However, some individuals may still remember Kia’s previous reputation for being unreliable, leading them to wonder: How long do Kias last?
In this article, we’ll examine the typical lifespan of Kia automobiles. How many miles should your Kia last? Is it a dependable, enduring brand? Which Kias have the longest lifespan and are the most dependable? These inquiries and others will be addressed.
How Far and Long Can You Drive a Kia?
What’s the real scoop on how long Kias last? Kia vehicles are predicted to last up to 200,000 kilometers when driven responsibly. Owners that provided their Kias with the necessary TLC report that they were able to get 200,000 to 250,000 miles out of them and keep them on the road for ten years or longer.
Of course, each driver’s experience with car longevity will be different (pardon the pun). Numerous elements, such as ownership maintenance and driving conditions, have an impact on longevity.
While the more modern Kia lines can clock 200,000+ miles on the odometer, the earlier Kias from around 20 years ago won’t win any medals for dependability.
These figures are competitive with brands like Honda and Toyota. For instance, Reader’s Digest claims that the Kia Rio subcompact sedan can reach 250,000 miles, while J.D. Power rates its dependability well.
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Kias Reliability Ratings
The general reliability of a vehicle is one of the most important variables affecting its longevity. This raises the issue, are Kias trustworthy? How durable are Kias?
In a nutshell: Kia is a trustworthy company. Please, though, don’t take our word for it; instead, let us direct you to the professionals.
Kia has a reliability score that is above average. Although Kia first gained a reputation for being unreliable when it entered the American market, the South Korean manufacturer has since gotten its act together and is now one of the most dependable companies.
It currently ranks as the third most reliable car brand on the market with a RepairPal dependability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0. Only Honda and Acura, two businesses renowned for their legendary dependability, can surpass Kia.
With a low yearly repair cost of $474 as opposed to the country’s average of $652 for all models, Kia also received top marks for cost of ownership. Kia vehicles stay on the road longer than many brands thanks to 0.2 times as many unscheduled maintenance visits per year and a 10% likelihood of significant repairs.
Which Kias are the Most Reliable?
Kia sells premium automobiles for reasonable pricing. Like many automakers, Kia has some models that are better engineered than others. A vehicle has a better probability of remaining on the road and traveling farther if it is more dependable. Some of the most dependable Kias that will last you a long time are listed below:
Kia Rio
As basic a mode of transportation as you can find is the Kia Rio. The Rio won’t blow anyone away, but it provides adequate comfort, usefulness, and acceptable fuel efficiency at a fair price. The base Rio models are quite basic, but the higher trims are fully equipped cars that do the job admirably.
The Kia Rio will last you for a very long time with the right care and maintenance thanks to the combination of Kia’s top-tier guarantee and excellent safety ratings. As previously noted, some Rio owners asserted that their tiny car had logged 250,000 miles.
A quick check of RepairPal reveals that the Rio ranks 6th out of 21 subcompact cars with a dependability rating of 4.5 out of 5.0.
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Kia Soul
The boxy sheet metal Kia Soul is a big-hearted vehicle that usually draws attention. The Soul, however, is more than simply a quirky SUV since it has great utility, great fuel economy, and a ton of contemporary technology. Although many individuals find the base trim to be a little too basic, the Soul’s low price is undoubtedly its biggest selling point.
The Kia Soul requires proper care and maintenance, just like any other vehicle. The Soul may travel up to 200,000 miles and even more if you give it the proper care. The Soul will reward you with 1013 years of dependable service if you maintain your oil changes and dealership servicing.
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage belongs in the classy subcompact SUV category. If you’re searching for a chic and versatile suburban SUV, the Sportage is a good choice. It’s not just one of the more visually appealing subcompact SUVs on the market; it’s also lavishly furnished with contemporary features and cutting-edge safety technologies. The Sportage is an SUV that will last even though it doesn’t have a powerful performance.
Again, assuming the Sportage is well-maintained, it should have no issue reaching 200,000 miles or more. Many Sportage owners with more over 200,000 miles on the odometer can be found if you visit some well-known automotive forums. Kia offers 5-year/60,000-mile standard and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties, so you can drive more miles with greater confidence.
According to RepairPal, the Sportage is ranked sixth out of 26 compact SUVs with a dependability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0.
Make Your Kias Last
How durable are Kias? Actually, as the owner, it will also depend on you. It would be beneficial if you drove carefully and responsibly, in addition to adhering to your routine maintenance plan and taking care of repair concerns as soon as they arise.
You might not be particularly knowledgeable about your car’s brakes unless you’re a mechanic or a super-committed auto enthusiast. How much time do they usually last? How frequently should brakes be replaced? We have solutions.
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Is buying a Kia a good idea?
Significant advancements achieved by Kia in recent years have helped to restore its reputation. Today, a Kia model is recognized as a trustworthy and useful family vehicle.
Despite not being known for luxury, the brand has advanced significantly in terms of dependability. One of a Kia’s strongest qualities is its lengthy warranty time; the majority of Kia models come with a ten-year powertrain warranty and a five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Kia outperforms the industry standard in this area, which is a three-year and five-year warranty. With extremely few mechanical faults reported by owners in the first three years of ownership, Kia gets a RepairPal score of 4.0 out of 5.0.
According to reports, a well-maintained car might last up to ten years with minimal maintenance.