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.
Updated August 2021: In light of Kia’s current surge in popularity and the recent debut of the highly anticipated new K5 midsize sedan, we’ve updated this list to fairly depict the best and worst contemporary cars from the Korean automaker.
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...
Is Toyota superior to Kia?
- The Kia Optima is more affordable than the Toyota competitor while also offering a superior basic warranty and roadside support program.
- When it comes to efficiency, the Kia Optima outperforms the Toyota Camry thanks to its availability as a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid.
- Inside, the Kia Optima provides more room for the five passengers as well as more trunk capacity than the Toyota Camry.
- Thanks to the UVO Infotainment System, the Kia Optima surpasses the Toyota Camry in terms of technology.
- Both the Kia Optima and Toyota Camry receive five-star overall crash test safety ratings in terms of safety.
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.
What Kia SUV has received the best reviews?
“For their designs, quality, and safety, Telluride, Sportage, and Sorento have all won accolades on a global scale.
Every Kia SUV has a unique character. The Sportage and Sorento are two well-liked and recognizable SUVs from Kia. The Telluride, Kia’s newest SUV, is praised for both its look and performance. The IIHS named the 2019 Sorento one of its Top Safety Picks. The IIHS selected the Sportage as one of the safest vehicles for the 2018 model year. Additionally, the 2020 Telluride won the top spot in all three categories.
It can be difficult to select the ideal SUV for your needs, those of your family, and your way of life. Asking oneself certain important questions can help you eliminate possibilities.
The Sportage has a stellar track record, having taken home all three internationally renowned design accolades in 2016, including the Good Design Award and the iF Design Award. It received a 5-star safety rating from the 2019 U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was ranked first in the Compact SUV segment by J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS) and Vehicle Dependability Study. With more than 5.5 million vehicles sold worldwide, it was also one of the Top Safety Picks by IIHs (VDS). The Sportage was also chosen by AutoPacific as the 2017 Ideal Vehicle Award (IVA) Winner. It is a very adaptable SUV with a well-designed cabin, useful amenities, and a comfortable ride.
The Sorento received the highest safety rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+), in 2019 after receiving a 5-star rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study named it the winner of the midsize SUV class in 2018, and Strategic Vision named it the “Most Loved Vehicle” in the fiercely competitive midsize CUV segment in 2016. The Sorento is a highly capable infotainment system with exceptional ride comfort that has won accolades for its presentation and performance on a global scale. With over 5,000 vehicles sold each month and 3.28 million vehicles sold globally, it is a major contributor to Kia RV sales.
The Telluride won the top honors at various competitions. It beat out almost a dozen other SUVs to win the SUV category at the prestigious Texas Off-road Invitational in 2019, which was hosted by the Texas Motor Press Association. At the 25th annual Mudfest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year event, held by the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA), the Telluride had been selected as the “mid- and the full-size CUV category winner. The Telluride also won the top spot in the Texas Auto Roundup after shocking everyone with its off-road prowess and a refined driving experience that outperformed several of the venerable cars.
Are Kia automobiles a good investment?
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.
Which automaker has the best reputation?
shares of the news story
In our yearly rankings of the most trustworthy auto brands, Lexus, Mazda, and Toyota once again top the list, with just a little shuffle seeing Toyota fall to third and Lexus take the top spot. Infiniti, which had a considerable increase in reliability this year, and Buick, which rose one rank to number five this year, complete out the top five this year.
On a scale of 0 to 100, our estimated reliability score is generated, with the average rating lying between 41 and 60 points. We need to have enough survey data for two or more models in order to rate a brand.
With an overall dependability score of 62 for the region, Asian automakers continue to dominate reliability by a significant margin. The second-placed European nameplates are at 44, but they are 18 points behind. Although domestic brands rank last overall with a score of 42, there were some outstanding models from American automakers.
Do Kias have many issues?
Kia stated that 100,000 of their vehicles were susceptible to engine stalling in 2019. Since then, they have claimed that software, not a hardware option, is at blame. But it has come to light that several of their other models also have real issues.
For instance, the oil rings on the Seltos and Kia Soul crossovers that are impacted are overly stiff. This hardness may cause cylinder bore and piston wear over time, leading to excessive oil leaks and engine knocking.
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.
You can always be sure that you got the greatest value possible since CoPilot scans your neighborhood and notifies you if there is a better deal on a comparable vehicle nearby. The best approach to purchase a car is through the CoPilot app.
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.
Until you use the CoPilot car shopping app, you won’t understand how out of date other car search applications are. CoPilot does the legwork for you by scanning through every listing in your region and smartly compiling a customized list of the best deals that fit your criteria.
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.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The simplest way to purchase a car is using the CoPilot auto shopping app. You may create a customized list of the top car listings in your area by telling us what you’re looking for, and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area.
Just seeking for more recent models? The search engine for virtually new vehicles is CoPilot Compare. only observe recentfive years or lessautos with little mileage. The greatest place to look for off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO vehicles is CoPilot Compare.
What’s best? We have more information on each vehicle than our rivals since CoPilot was developed using the same technologies that dealerships use to acquire and sell their inventories. Since CoPilot doesn’t partner with automakers, there aren’t any sponsored posts or other dubious tacticsjust the most information about the best vehicles. To learn more about CoPilot’s operation, see our About Us page.