Are Kias Good Cars?

• As Korea's oldest car manufacturer, Kia offers a range of models globally and has a significant presence in the U.S. market.
• Kia's overall reliability is considered average, with evaluations based on factors like safety ratings, repair costs, and fuel efficiency.
• Models like the Rio and Sportage are highlighted for dependability, with good safety ratings, reasonable repair costs, and efficient fuel consumption.
• Meanwhile, some Kia models have faced engine, transmission, and paint issues but generally offer a respectable lifespan with proper maintenance.

Regarding reliability, Kia ranks average compared to other global automotive manufacturers. The brand doesn’t perform exceptionally well in a specific area but upholds a respectable reputation. Like any other brand, this Korean brand contends with its fair share of issues and concerns. 

Reliable cars perform across several aspects, from safety ratings and fuel efficiency to creature comforts and cost of ownership. The following resources provide a well-rounded look into the reliability of any vehicle on the road, including Kias: 

• J.D. Power dependability rewards 
• FuelEconomy.gov’s fuel efficiency ratings
• Safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Average repair costs reported by RepairPal
• Kelley Blue Book’s (KBB) 5-Year Cost to Own

A deep dive into Kia’s reliability requires reviewing each of these sources to determine how the brand stacks up against the competition. While the best reliability ratings often stem from high marks across these facets, a reliable car doesn’t necessarily have to rank highest for every characteristic. Instead, it’s all about how the brand (or any brand, for that matter) performs as a whole. 

Kia’s reliability stems from its low cost of ownership, high safety ratings and critical safety features, average repair costs, dependability, and fuel efficiency ratings. Read on to learn more about Kia in these various aspects. 

1. Cost of ownership

Several Kia models rank highly among competitors in terms of their five-year cost of ownership, according to Kelley Blue Book: 

• The 2023 Kia Rio ranks fourth in the subcompact car segment, with a cost of ownership of $33,284
• Owning a 2023 Sportage hybrid, which ranks third among compact SUV/crossover models, costs you around $40,391 for five years 
• A 2024 Carnival, Kia’s minivan flagship, costs $49,282 to own 
• The 2024 Niro costs $38,872 to own, a cost of ownership that earns it fourth place among hybrid/alternative energy cars

Owning these four models over five years costs less than $50,000, although the Carnival comes closest to that limit. 

2. Safety ratings and features

A look across the Kia lineup reveals the automaker takes driver and passenger safety seriously. The NHTSA awarded the following models an overall safety rating of five out of five stars: 

• 2023 Kia Sportage 
• 2023 Kia K5
• 2023 Kia Telluride
• 2023 Kia EV6

The IIHS returned slightly lower ratings for additional models, including the following: 

• 2024 Forte: “Good” ratings in all categories except for two, where it ranked “Poor” 
• 2024 Carnival: “Good” in all categories except the “Moderate overlap front: updated test” (“Marginal”) and “Side: updated test” (“Poor”)
• 2024 Niro Plug-In Hybrid: “Good” ratings in all categories
• 2023 Rio: “Good” in all categories except for “Small overlap front: passenger-side” (“Acceptable”)

3. Average annual repair costs

RepairPal reports that Kia ranks 3 out of 32 reliable car brands, with a reliability rating of four out of five. Kias visit the shop an average of 0.2 times per year, which is below average, and cost about $474 annually to repair. RepairPal also reports that 10% of repairs are likely to be severe. The brand has 162 known recalls, the most common of which concerns the hydraulic electronic control unit, which shorts and may cause a fire hazard. 

4. Dependability

The Kia Rio won J.D. Power’s best car resale ratings for small cars in 2022. Additional 2022 Kia models that earned rewards include the Forte for the highest quality compact car, the EV6 for the best performance compact SUV, the K5 for the best performance midsize car, and the Carnival for the best performance minivan. The 2019 Sorento also earned recognition as the most dependable midsize SUV. 

5. Fuel efficiency ratings

Fuel efficiency across Kia models remains strong. Below are examples of the various gas mileage ratings you can find on several Kia models: 

• 2023 KiaCarnival: 19 city and 26 highway miles-per-gallon (MPG)
• 2023 Kia Niro Electric: 126 city and 101 highway miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPG)
• 2023 Kia Sportage AWD: 23 city and 28 highway MPG
• 2023 Kia Telluride AWD: 18 city and 24 highway MPG

Kia also ranks high among automotive brands due to its mix of gas and electric vehicles. 

RepairPal lists several issues with many Kia models, including a revised crankshaft pulley bolt, a faulty throttle position switch, malfunctioning door locks, and dim headlights. Additional problems among Kia cars commonly include the following. 

1. Engine issues and failure 

Noted on the 2011 Sorento and 2013 Optima, engine issues plague several other Kia nameplates, including the Kia Sedona, Sportage, and Forte. Problems occur when the engine shuts off without warning, if it can start at all. The engine can also knock or illuminate the check engine light. 

2. Transmission defects 

The Kia Sorento bears the brunt of this common problem. Outdated software within the transmission causes rough shifting and a jerking demeanor. Owners have also reported excessive noise from the transmission, but a simple update has often fixed the issue. 

3. Excessive oil consumption   

Owners of the 2013 Kia Optima noticed excessive oil consumption back in the day, but it seems the problem has reared its ugly head again with the brand’s latest model, the Kia Seltos. The 2021 Seltos also consumes oil excessively, which could lead to engine failure if left unchecked. Sometimes, no repairs can be done to fix this issue permanently. 

4. Paint imperfections

Kia Rio, Sportage, Spectra, and Sorento models from various years suffer from bubbling and cracking paint. Most of these defects are common in harsher climates where the heat reaches well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it can easily affect the cosmetic appeal and resale value of these vehicles.  

5. Airbag concerns

Outside of the Takata airbag recall that affected millions of vehicles, the airbag units in Kia cars tend to have problems. The control unit malfunctions somehow, causing the airbag to work improperly. Models affected include the 2009 Spectra, Sedonas from 2017 through 2019, and some Forte models. 

Kia’s lineup includes several reliable models from various model years. It’s worth figuring out how car loans work if you’re considering the most reliable Kia models. 

Sportage

The Kia Sportage ranks as the most reliable car in the brand’s lineup. Several model years of the Kia Sportage rank among the most reliable, including the 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 models. The 2016 model was well known for its low repair costs associated with ownership. In addition, the 2020 model offered several options, including various engines. 

Rio

Although the Rio is Kia’s smallest vehicle, it ranks well in terms of reliability. The 2018 and 2020 models are considered the most reliable. RepairPal reports it visits the shop 0.2 times a year for repairs, 9% of which are potentially severe. This small and affordable model also only costs $434 on average per year to maintain. 

Soul

For most people, the Kia Soul is something you adore or hate. However, it ranks high in reliability based on the affordability it provides consumers. RepairPal estimates a $437 average annual repair cost, with 9% of repair visits characterized as severe. Model years of note include 2018 and 2021. 

Forte

Another compact model in the Kia lineup, the Forte incorporates a small but reliable engine in an affordable package. The Kia Forte’s average annual repair cost tallies $451, with 0.2 visits to the shop per year and only an 8% chance those repairs are severe.  

With an average annual repair cost of $474, Kia maintenance costs rank average. For instance, the average annual cost of a Kia Sportage is $462, which is $12 less than the brand overall. RepairPal reports the maintenance schedule for this model, including a 10,000-mile service that costs between $45 and $51, a 30,000-mile service that costs between $527 and $629, and a 75,000-mile service that costs between $231 and $273. Although some of the maintenance schedule services vary for the Telluride, they’re similar in price for the larger SUV. 

Besides wondering if you can use a credit card for a down payment on a car and learning what the APR is on a car loan, understanding Kia warranty coverage can make all the difference in covering various ownership costs. All Kia models come with a factory warranty of 10 years or 100,000 miles, an industry-leading offer that attracts many customers. Additional coverage includes: 

• Limited powertrain warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles 
• Limited basic warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles 
• Limited anti-perforation (rust) warranty: 5 years or 100,000 miles 
• Roadside assistance plan: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Kia's warranties also include emergency roadside assistance and trip interruption benefits. Kia falls short (along with Ford and Toyota) in offering anti-rust protection for longer compared to other automotive manufacturers. However, certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles incorporate warranty coverage, including travel breakdown coverage, roadside assistance, rental car coverage, platinum coverage, and a limited powertrain warranty. 

Kia cars run in the middle of the pack in reliability ratings. A mix of electric and gas-powered models helps the brand cater to several customer bases. Safety ratings rank it high depending on the particular Kia model you choose. The average cost of repairs and overall cost of ownership rank it among the more affordable brands in the industry.