Like a lot of Asian brands, Kia is currently enjoying a reputation for being reliable. According to the 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Survey (IQS), Kia is experiencing a reported 181 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), which puts them some way above the current market average of 192 PP100 in table rankings.
Kia’s 2025 lineup is an exceptionally varied one. It includes SUVs and sedans — even a minivan — with gas powertrains, hybrids, EVs and PHEVs, the Asian marque is one of our favorite brands in terms of reliable, easy-to-drive, and affordable vehicles. However, despite the high IQS rating and some very reliable models in its arsenal, not all Kia models are created equal, with some falling slightly further behind in dependability than you might expect. This is how every Kia model in 2025 is rated for reliability.
16
2025 Kia Niro EV
Reliability Score: 3.7/5
Boasting a low starting price of just under $41,000, the 2025 Kia Niro EV is the budget-friendly EV crossover SUV that offers a decent amount of cargo capacity at 22.8 cubic feet, impressive front and rear legroom at 41.5 inches and 36.5 inches, respectively, and a stylish all-around build. There is just one motor option for the 2025 Niro EV: a permanent magnet synchronous motor good for 201 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque, which, with a fully-charged battery, can offer up to 253 miles. It is small in dimensions (174 inches in length by 71.9 inches wide); its motor is perky around the city, and it is well-priced.
2025 Kia Niro EV Reliability
The 2025 Kia Niro EV hasn’t been rated by J.D. Power, but according to the three owner reviews on Kelley Blue Book (KBB), it has been rated 3.7 out of 5 for reliability. Out of three reviews, that isn’t exactly the most confidence-inspiring rating. However, this is redeemed by the fact that, on average, it is very cheap to maintain, with CarEdge saying that over five years it will cost you just under $2,700 for maintenance. This makes it one of the cheapest EVs to maintain at the moment.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 5 Years: $2,650 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1 for the wiring harness that could be damaged underneath the front seats and prevent airbags from deploying in a crash.
15
2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid
Reliability Score: 4/5
The 2025 Kia Sportage is available from $30,185 and in three trims: the LX, the EX, and the SX Prestige. Under the hood sits a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four hybrid powertrain that doles out 277 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It is available with front-wheel drive as standard, but if you live in a wet or icy part of the country, you can also benefit from an all-wheel-drive model. According to the EPA, the FWD Sportage Hybrid can muster a combined fuel economy of 43 miles per gallon, and the grippier AWD variety can achieve 38 mpg. So, alongside a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds with trailer brakes, and a maximum cargo capacity of 74.1 cubic feet with all the seats tucked away, you’ve got yourself a useful little SUV.
2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid Reliability
Like the above Niro EV, this year’s Sportage Hybrid hasn’t been rated for reliability by J.D. Power, but owners who have left a review on KBB are seemingly very happy about its dependability, giving it a rating of 4 out of 5. This is echoed by both RepairPal and CarEdge, who estimate that the Sportage Hybrid will cost you less than $500 a year in annual maintenance and less than $7,500 over 10 years of ownership. Either way you look at it, it’s relatively cheap compared to some SUVs. Alongside its rock-hard build, the Sportage Hybrid benefits from typically low parts costs and cheaper labor costs compared to some of its German and European SUV rivals, meaning you could save money owning one compared to the famously expensive-to-maintain German brutes.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $462 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,321 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
14
2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
Reliability Score: 4/5
As the top-tier option for the Sportage Hybrid lineup, the 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV is slightly more expensive than its non-plug-in cousin, with a starting price of $41,335, but you do get a more powerful inline-four plug-in hybrid powertrain and 13.8-kWh battery. This rig can kick out 261 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque while also achieving a combined mpg rating of 84 mpge, and offering an all-electric range of 34 miles. FuelEconomy.gov says that it will cost you just $1,050 a year for gas and electricity, or some $2,750 less over five years compared to your average modern vehicle.
2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Reliability
As the Kia Sportage PHEV is rated alongside the Sportage Hybrid, it boasts the same KBB reliability rating and the same estimated costs. We can presume, though, that over the long term, and despite the hardy system, it will likely cost you more money in maintenance costs because of the higher-voltage battery used and the more intricate setup of the plug-in system compared to what is used in the Sportage Hybrid.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $462 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,321 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
13
2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid
Reliability Rating: 4.1/5
Available as the EX or the SX Prestige, the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid is well-equipped from build, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, three rows of seating, wireless phone charging, and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel featured as standard. You get a 227-horsepower 1.6-liter inline-four hybrid powertrain that can get you to 60 mph in around 7.2 seconds — so not bad for a family SUV — and an impressive maximum cargo capacity of 75.5 cubic feet with all the seats folded down. Prices for the Sorento Hybrid start at $40,135 for the EX and $48,335 for the fancier SX Prestige, so, again in typical Kia style, it is useful and stylish at a relatively low price.
2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid Reliability
Owners on KBB have rated the 2025 Kia Sorento 4.1 out of 5 for reliability, while the low maintenance costs (both short-term and long-term) make it a hardy Kia SUV to own. There is one major recall for the Sorento Hybrid, though, and that is for a software error in the Body Domain Control Unit. The NHTSA recall ID is 25V-006, and you should check that the 2025 Sorento Hybrid you are taking a look at has had this issue addressed because it affects your lights.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $462 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,453 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1 for a software error in the Body Domain Control Unit, which can cause loss of low-beam headlights and taillights.
12
2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Reliability Rating: 4.1/5
The 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV is available in two trims: the EX PHEV and the SX Prestige PHEV, with prices ranging from just under $49,500 to just over $54,500. The big difference between the two, apart from the starting prices, is the powertrain used. The Sorento PHEV comes equipped with a 261-horsepower inline-four plug-in hybrid system. All-wheel drive is fitted as standard, but it is slightly slower up to speed: 0–60 mph times have been clocked at 7.6 seconds. However, you do get a more composed on-road manner from the get-go thanks to the AWD system and an all-electric range of up to 35 miles. The Sorento PHEV has the same decent 75.5 cubic feet of storage space as its hybrid cousin, despite boasting a bigger battery.
2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Reliability
Like the Sportage PHEV is rated alongside the Sportage Hybrid for reliability, the Sorento PHEV is rated alongside the Sorento Hybrid for reliability, with a 4.1 out of 5 rating. The CarEdge and RepairPal maintenance costs are the same, but again, because of the plug-in system and higher-voltage battery pack used, we can presume with some degree of confidence that these could cost you more further down the road to replace or keep in good working order.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $462 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,453 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2; for a software error in the Body Domain Control Unit, which can cause loss of low-beam headlights and taillights, and for the danger of the steering rack shifting in a frontal collision and damaging the fuel line.
11
2025 Kia EV6
Reliability Score: 4.2/5
With a starting price of $44,395, the 2025 Kia EV6 is available in four impressive trims that we think outclass their prices. The EV6 Light is the base trim; the EV6 Wind is available from just under $52,000; the EV6 GT-Line will set you back around $56,000, and the top-tier EV6 GT offers a lot of sporty electric fun for around $66,000. The 2025 EV6 is available with four motor configurations: a 167-horsepower single motor on the rear axle, a 225-horsepower single motor on the rear axle, a 320-horsepower dual-motor setup (AWD), or a monstrous 601-horsepower dual-motor rig for the EV6 GT. You also get a stylish cabin that comes equipped with a 12.3-inch curved touchscreen, standard heated seats, optional vegan leather, and an available Meridian audio system; it can be very plush and sporty for a competitive price.
2025 Kia EV6 Reliability
Out of the 30 owner reviews on KBB, the EV6 has been rated very highly, with an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5. More importantly here, though, the 2025 EV6 has been given a reliability rating of 4.2 out of 5, with these sentiments being echoed by RepairPal and CarEdge, who both say that average maintenance costs are very low for its class. There has only been one NHTSA recall, which is listed below, and despite being an EV (which haven’t all garnered themselves the best reliability reputation yet), the Kia EV6 looks to be a very dependable EV crossover.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $474 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $4,978 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1 for the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) that can be damaged due to normal electrical/thermal cycling, which may stop charging the 12-volt battery. This can lead to progressive loss of motive power while driving, increasing crash risk.
10
2025 Kia Niro Hybrid
Reliability Rating: 4.8/5
Encompassing both the 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid and 2025 Kia Niro PHEV, starting prices for this highly-rated SUV are $28,435 for the base-level hybrid flavor and $35,935 for the entry-level plug-in model. The 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid is available in the following trims:
- 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid LX. MSRP: $28,435.
- 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid EX. MSRP: $31,235.
- 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid EX Touring. MSRP: $33,535.
- 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid SX. MSRP: $34,435.
- 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid EX PHEV. MSRP: $35,935.
- 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid SX Touring. MSRP: $36,835.
- 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid SX Touring PHEV. $42,235.
There is no gas-only Kia Niro this year, just a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. Both the Niro Hybrid and the Niro PHEV are relatively low-powered, with the Niro Hybrid equipped with 1.6-liter inline-four and an electric motor for a total of 139 horsepower, and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the Niro PHEV gets a more powerful electric motor pushing that total up to 180 horsepower. The quickest 0–60 mph times you are likely to get from the Niro Hybrid are in the PHEV, which can get up to speed in around 7.5 seconds.
2025 Kia Niro Hybrid Reliability
What makes the 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid and PHEV both such great SUVs, though, is how highly owners have rated them for reliability on KBB. With a rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on eight reviews, and 100 percent of its owners recommending it, there isn’t much more the Niro Hybrid can do to prove itself as a dependable Kia SUV. Average maintenance costs are low across the board, and there has only been one NHTSA recall (the same one as in the Niro EV). Interestingly, though, there is a small discrepancy in how reliable the Niro is; according to J.D. Power, this year’s iteration has only been rated 74 out of 100, which doesn’t tally with how well it has been received by owners on KBB.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $474 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,419 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1 for the wiring harness that could be damaged underneath the front seats and prevent airbags from deploying in a crash.
9
2025 Kia EV9
Reliability Score: 67/100
Blending three-row family SUV moves and powerful electric motor configurations, the 2025 Kia EV9 may not be the most reliable electric SUV ever created, but it is well-equipped and available with some raucous power. As standard, you get seven seats wrapped in SynTex upholstery, dual 12.3-inch displays, heated and ventilated seats, a power liftgate, wireless smartphone connectivity, and a panoramic sunroof. There are two motor configurations you can choose from: a 215-horsepower single rear-mounted setup, or a 379-horsepower dual-motor, AWD powertrain (the launch of the sporty EV9 GT with a very powerful 576-horsepower dual-motor powertrain has been delayed). Prices range from $56,400 for the base trim to around $72,000 for the GT-Line, and for what can be seen as a reasonable amount of money for its caliber, you get a very luxurious electric SUV.
2025 Kia EV9 Reliability
The Kia EV9 has not been awarded the best reliability ratings on J.D. Power, with a rating of 67 out of 100. However, this can be put down to the fact that the 2024 EV9 was the first model year here in the U.S.A., so we are going to suggest that there are still some teething problems. It can be made up for, though, by CarEdge’s estimate that it will only cost you $5,237 over 10 years to maintain. Using this figure, we can presume that the annual repair bill will be somewhere between $500 and $530, though the likelihood is that the EV9 will become more expensive to maintain as it gets older compared to the first few years of ownership.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,237 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 3; for loss of drive power (rear gear drive unit), missing seat mounting bolts, and instrument panel/display non-compliance.
8
2025 Kia Sorento
Reliability Score: 74/100
As the gas-engine-equipped cousin of the other Kia Sorento hybrid models on our list, the 2025 Kia Sorento comes equipped with two engine options: a 195-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-four, or a 281-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four that can motivate the mid-sized Sorento to 60 mph in an impressive 6 seconds. With the second and third rows folded down, you can fit 75.5 cubic feet of stuff inside. You and your passengers get ample legroom across all three rows, with the front boasting 41.4 inches, the second boasting 41.7 inches, and the third row getting 29.6 inches. It is also nicely kitted out from build, with dual 12.3-inch touchscreens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control all equipped as standard, so long journeys won’t be an issue.
2025 Kia Sorento Reliability
This year’s Kia Sorento has only garnered average reliability ratings on J.D. Power, and we are a little surprised that it doesn’t rate higher, especially because between 2020 and 2024, it had been rated in the low 80s for reliability consistently. The 2025 model year isn’t a new-gen Sorento but a mid-cycle facelift, and though a lot of the architecture is the same, the new infotainment system has been reported to glitch, the below headlight NHTSA recall has caused a bit of a stir in owners’ confidence in it, and there are still knocks and squeaks being reported from the engine bay. It is by no means the least reliable SUV in 2025, but it is nowhere near the most reliable either.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $533 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,610 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2; for a software error in the Body Domain Control Unit, which can cause loss of low-beam headlights and taillights, and for a potentially incorrectly torqued engine rod bolt.
7
2025 Kia Carnival
Reliability Score: 76/100
Boasting a starting price of $38,235 for the 2025 Kia Carnival and $42,325 for the 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid, this SUV-styled MPV (minivan) provides a lot of versatility, thanks to either seven or eight available seats and a huge maximum cargo capacity of 145.1 cubic feet, and a refreshed design (even though it was only initially released in 2022). You get a rock-solid looking exterior with off-road-inspired lines and a rugged front fascia, and inside, the cabin boasts dual 12.3-inch touchscreens, 60/40 split-folding seats, wireless smartphone connectivity, and power-sliding doors. Overall, it is a lot of vehicle for a reasonably low cost. You also have a choice of two engines over the Carnival and Carnival Hybrid lines: a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 and a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four.
|
Spec |
2025 Kia Carnival |
2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
|
Engine |
3.5-Liter V6 |
1.6-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four + Electric Motor |
|
Horsepower |
287 Horsepower |
242 Horsepower |
|
Torque |
260 LB-FT |
271 LB-FT |
2025 Kia Carnival Reliability
The Kia Carnival has been given an average reliability score of 76 out of 100 by J.D. Power, while on KBB, owners seem a little more pleased with it and have rated it 4.6 out of 5, with 80 percent of its owners recommending buying one. As we have found with other Kia models, the average annual maintenance bill is low, and even after 10 years, considering the Carnival’s 4,725-pound maximum weight (which can put a lot of wear on components), it stays relatively cheap to maintain and keep on the road.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,859 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 3; for the roof molding not being attached properly, some sliding doors don’t stop when blocked, and water accumulation in the tow-hitch harness circuit board can cause it to short and potentially start a fire.