Kia cars are known for many things, starting with sophisticated designs that usually manage to stand apart from the crowd and look properly expensive without charging you a premium for it. Then there is a spacious cabin with a clean design that features all the right equipment for the money. And finally, Kia models sometimes manage to wow the enthusiast, too, with respectable road manners and performance.
Reliability, however, isn’t Kia’s forte, or so the internet would have you believe. Yes, a decade ago, Kia (and Hyundai cars by extension) weren’t the most reliable; they were just starting out and had many issues to fix. But that time has gone. Today, you can pick up a Kia and not worry about breaking down. According to Consumer Reports, Kia stands as the tenth most reliable automaker, beating the likes of Ford, Mazda, and Volkswagen. And here are ten Kia models that prove this.
2015 Kia Forte Koup
Reliability Score: 84/100
The 2015 Kia Forte Koup is a two-door variant of the Kia Forte lineup, offering a mix of aggressive style and some awesome features, including HID headlights, dual-zone climate control, and heated and cooled driver seats. It is powered by either a 173-horsepower 2.0-liter or a 201-horsepower 1.6-liter, and despite its smaller dimensions, it’s roomy enough for four people. Overall, it’s an excellent urban rounabout with above-average reliability ratings.
Kia Forte Koup Reliability
Speaking of reliability, you can expect the Kia Forte Koup to be a trusty companion for years to come, despite being over a decade old. Sure, it still features the infamous Theta II engine, but owner complaints for the 2015 model year are significantly lower compared to older Kia and Hyundais, with many of the troublesome issues having settled down. So, with regular maintenance, you can expect this car to last for up to 200k miles, at least according to some owners.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Costs: $433 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: Not Available
- Total Recalls: 1
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2023 Kia K5
Reliability Score: 85/100
You don’t have to go for an old car to get a reliable Kia, either; you can pick the 2023 Kia K5 that’s not only known for its reliability but also its handsome fastback looks, feature-packed interior, and, surprisingly, its performance. The base K5 gets a 180-horsepower turbocharged inline-four engine, but the GT model is where all the fun’s at, thanks to its 290-horsepower engine that sends the car from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 5.2 seconds. It’s a lot of car for the price, and, honestly, worth every penny.
Kia K5 Reliability
Being just a few years old, the 2023 Kia K5 hasn’t proven itself in the long run just yet; still, it gets a solid J.D. Power reliability and quality score that gives us confidence to pick this car. Apart from some owners reporting issues with hard-shifting transmissions, you don’t have much to worry about with the K5. Although the K5 GT has more power than it can handle, expect to smoke your tires if you’re not careful.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Costs: Not Available
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,391 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
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2014 Kia Cadenza
Reliability Score: 86/100
A used Kia K5 can set you back by at least $20k, but if you still want a dependable Kia sedan without spending so much, the 2014 Kia Cadenza can be a great pick. It’s a full-size executive sedan, and it’s easy to think of it as a luxurious car. But compared to its more luxurious siblings of the era, the Cadenza is more of a toe in the water that’s still designed to impress. It’s more than just a bigger Optima, featuring plenty of room for five, a tastefully designed cabin, and a 293-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 powering it. It even gets the UVO touchscreen infotainment system as standard.
Kia Cadenza Reliability
The Kia Cadenza has proven itself to be quite a reliable Kia sedan over the years, and it’s easily one of the best used Kia models you can buy today. Owners particularly praise the V6 engine for its smooth power delivery and long-term dependability, and it’s not that expensive to maintain as well, compared to its executive sedan rivals. Given its three recalls, it’s still a good idea to check the service records. In any case, maintain it well, and the Cadenza can keep running for over 200k miles.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Costs: $507 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: Not Available
- Total Recalls: 3
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2018 Kia Optima
Reliability Score: 86/100
The 2018 Kia Optima is another excellent option if you’re looking for a reliable used Kia sedan, and it’s not as old as the aforementioned Cadenza, either. Its stylish, versatile design hides lots of space and comfort features, including heated and ventilated leather seats, dual-zone climate control, and a 10-speaker sound system, depending on the trim. Under the hood, it is powered by either 178-horsepower or 245-horsepower turbocharged engines. Expect to pay around $10k to $14k for a well-maintained Kia Optima in the used market today.
Kia Optima Reliability
When it comes to used Kia reliability, the 2018 Kia Optima sits near the top with a solid reliability rating of 86 out of 100. This was the best year for the Optima, fixing the obsolete transmission software issue that plagued the earlier Optimas, along with several other common issues. According to owners, if you take good care of it, a 2018 Kia Optima can easily last for 200k miles. For the price, the Kia Optima is hard to beat, especially if you want this level of reliability with the sophisticated design and feature-packed interiors we’ve come to expect from Kia models.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Costs: $341 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: Not Available
- Total Recalls: 2
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2024 Kia Telluride
Reliability Score: 86/100
The 2024 Kia Telluride lets you enjoy an almost brand-new three-row SUV without the depreciation you’d face the moment you roll your car off the showroom floor. Costing as low as $28k in the used market, a two-year-old Telluride is an excellent choice today for families and those looking for a premium SUV experience on a budget. The Telluride features a 291-horsepower engine with optional AWD, along with a near-luxury cabin that gets a large screen, heated and ventilated seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and much more, depending on the trim.
Kia Telluride Reliability
On the reliability front, the Kia Telluride is among the most reliable SUVs in its segment, with one of the highest J.D. Power reliability and quality scores. Plus, given that this is a relatively new car, a used Telluride hasn’t been worn down by age yet. Just pick a clean condition Telluride, and you’re essentially getting a brand-new car that won’t throw any surprises at you. This is what makes the 2024 Kia Telluride one of the most reliable used Kia cars you can buy today.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Costs: Not Available
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,730 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 4
2019 Kia Sorento
Reliability Score: 87/100
The 2019 Kia Sorento is a popular midsize SUV in the used market that’s known for its value-for-money packaging, complete with standard three-row seating for seven and available all-wheel drive. It comes with either a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter inline-four engine or a 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6, and owners praise it for its competent road manners. On the inside, it’s spacious and gets plenty of modern amenities, including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and an optional Harman/Kardon premium sound system.
Kia Sorento Reliability
On the reliability front, the Sorento stands as one of the most reliable used Kia cars you can buy today, with a score of 87 out of 100 in its 2019 model year. It is relatively cheap to own for a midsize SUV, and there aren’t any noteworthy common issues you need to look out for; still, it’s best to look at the service records before buying one. Owners even claim that you can buy a Sorento with three-digit mileage without much concern, which gives confidence in this used Kia’s reliability.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Costs: $471 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,610 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
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2023 Kia Seltos
Reliability Score: 87/100
Among the compact crossover SUVs that Kia sells, the Seltos is often overlooked and ignored, but in the used market, it stands as an excellent option. It has carved a niche for itself at the larger end of the subcompact SUV segment, offering plenty of space and a refined cabin interior. It’s powered by either a 146-horsepower four-cylinder or a 175-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine; the latter is the one you should go for, as it’s quicker than many of its rivals.
Kia Seltos Reliability
The 2023 Kia Seltos costs $17k to $25k, and it’s totally worth the money if you’re looking for a reliable used Kia car with decent space and performance. While RepairPal does not mention any repair costs, it’s a cheaper Kia model, and you can expect the maintenance costs to reflect the same compared to bigger Kia models. According to owners, the common issues are minor, including electrical quirks with random warning lights, infotainment freezes, and air conditioning not working well enough in extreme conditions.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Costs: Not Available
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,336 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
2021 Kia Soul
Reliability Score: 88/100
Like the Kia Seltos, the 2021 Kia Soul has carved a niche for itself, but on the other end of the spectrum, it’s a small subcompact SUV that’s easy to mistake for a large hatchback. Its undeniably unique look is funky and functional, and under that, it hides plenty of cabin space with youthful cheekiness and generous accommodations, including heads-up display, heating for seats and steering wheel, and more. With either 201 or 147 horsepower, the Soul also has enough pep for around-town performance. Put simply, the Soul offers plenty of personality for the price.
Kia Soul Reliability
When it comes to used Kia reliability, the Soul sits near the very top, and the 2021 model year is the best year to take into consideration here. It has been around long enough to prove itself, but it’s still not old enough to look outdated to a modern buyer. It still had one recall you should look out for, which was related to improperly heat-treated piston rings. If that recall was honored, there is little to worry about the Soul as long as you take care of it. Owners say you will avoid most problems with nothing but regular maintenance.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Costs: $437 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,396 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
2022 Kia Rio
Reliability Score: 88/100
The 2022 Kia Rio is a dorky little car, but keep its looks aside, and it can be the only car you’d need for your urban roundabouts on a budget. It represents affordable, straightforward transportation, available either as a hatchback or a sedan, and owners say it drives like a more expensive car despite its price tag. It’s powered by a 120-horsepower engine paired with a CVT transmission, and the interior, while full of hard plastics, offers enough modern features and front seat space to suffice for daily driving.
Kia Rio Reliability
RepairPal rates the Kia Rio at 4.5 out of 5, ranking it sixth out of 21 subcompact cars. It’s a very reliable car, and you don’t have to worry about major problems, as owners don’t report as many common issues. Yes, it’s still not perfect, and you may still face some problems here and there, but they aren’t as bad as many other used Kia models. You can pick one up for as little as $12k, and it can easily last for over 150k miles with routine maintenance.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Costs: $434 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: Not Available
- Total Recalls: 1
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2020 Kia Sportage
Reliability Score: 89/100
The 2020 Kia Sportage sits at the very top when it comes to used Kia reliability, with an excellent score of 89 out of 100. Its exaggerated, sporty styling makes it look more sporty than it is, but on the inside, you can expect impeccable cabin quality with room for five. In fact, many owners often draw comparisons to an Audi for its interior quality and design. On the engine front, you have a choice between 181-horsepower and 240-horsepower, and the road manners are said to be competent enough for the segment.
Kia Sportage Reliability
The Kia Sportage has two fire risk recalls, which may seem to contradict our picking the Sportage for this spot, but once rectified by Kia, there is nothing else that says you should avoid this model when it comes to reliability. The recall repairs took place in 2021 and 2023, so most models on the used market should have the issues fixed by now. You can pick up a Sportage for as low as $13k today, and it’s a terrific pick if you’re looking for the best used Kia models on a budget.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Costs: $462 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,453 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
Source: Kia, Consumer Reports, J.D. Power, RepairPal, CarEdge, NHTSA