Which Kia SUV Is Most Reliable?

Kia has for many years had the reputation for the manufacture of reliable vehicles. 

This cuts across all their models and body styles. The most sought-after of Kia models are Kia SUVs.

 These luxurious sporty vehicles have a long history of dependability and driver satisfaction. 

The lineup of Kia SUVs consists of six top-of-the-line models, namely:

• Soul
• Seltos
• Niro
• Sportage
• Sorento
• Telluride

These SUVs come in different shapes, sizes, exterior, and interior styling to match the varying lifestyle of drivers. 

One model that stands out from the pack is the Kia Sportage, thanks to its advanced high-tech features and reliability. 

Which Kia SUV is Most Reliable? 

The Kia Sportage is one of the most reliable compact Kia SUVs currently. This doesn’t mean that the other five SUVs are not reliable, instead, Kia Sportage came on top in many tests and genuine users’ feedback. The elegance and comfort offered by this SUV make it easy to understand why it is ranking at the top of its peers of the same class. 

Shopping for a reliable SUV can be frustrating.

 Choosing from the six different Kia SUV models is even more complicated.

 These SUVs come with different performance and aesthetic features that will leave you split for choice.

 Reviews and tests on the Kia SUVs revealed that the Kia Sportage is the most reliable. 

This SUV garnered the highest ratings, both on Consumer Reports and J.D Power. 

What Makes the Kia Sportage Good? 

Right off the bat, the Kia Sportage exterior styling is a clear statement of its prestige and attention to detail by Kia Motors. 

The Sportage sports a very sleek exterior that is stunning to look at. 

Although it is a compact SUV, the Kia Sportage strikes a perfect balance between the sportiness of a Sorento and the elegance of a Telluride. 

This mixture of high-quality features, comfort, and extreme luxury, makes the Kia Sportage the SUV to go for.

It doesn’t stop on the outside, under the hood, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 181-hp powers this compact SUV. 

It comes mated with a six-speed automatic transmission that seamlessly shifts gears as the speed increases.

 It is a fun-to-drive SUV, thanks to its agile and well-controlled handling. 

The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV, but it can carry a good amount of weight. 

It has a 2000-pound rating, which is a tad higher than most SUVs of the same class and price range. 

The only concern is that the Sportage must have its brake system regardless of what it is hauling. 

Braking of this SUV is one admirable trait that many drivers have applauded.

 It handles both dry and wet surfaces very well with short stopping distances reported. 

Consumer Report reviews indicated that in rainy conditions, the Kia Sportage stopped a few feet longer than in dry conditions, but in both cases, the traction was good. 

Additionally, the front and rear seats of the Sportage are quite spacious, with comfortable seating and enough elbow room for two adult passengers. 

The Kia Sportage comes with a power driver seat with adjustments that allows you to personalize the seating position to your liking. 

These features make the Kia Sportage stand out from the rest. 

Where Kia Sportage Could Do Better

One of the most underwhelming aspects of the Kia Sportage is its fuel economy. 

With overall fuel consumption of 23 mpg and a city consumption of 16 mpg, the Sportage lags far behind some of its close rivals. 

Highway consumption is about 32 mpg, which is adequate, but it can do better when compared to rivals of the same class and price range. 

Inside, the Kia Sportage SUV boasts a good infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Its control knobs are ergonomically placed and simple to operate, as scroll through.

 The major issue reported by many drivers was the difficulty to reach the media system from the driver’s side. 

Is the Kia Sportage SUV Reliable? 

According to Consumer Reports, the Kia Sportage is one of the top five most reliable compact SUVs.

 This puts Kia ahead of many competitors across the entire SUV model.

 The Kia came in fifth, but still managed to beat a couple of big brand SUVs. 

The Sportage was remodeled in 2017, and according to Consumer Reports, there have been no serious engine, gearbox, or electrical faults reported by genuine Sportage drivers in the previous model years. 

There were some issues reported concerning the climate control system and suspension that received considerable criticism in previous model years. 

This has since been improved in the Kia Sportage models that were released after 2018. 

The Sportage was built by Kia to be a compact SUV, yet it offers the performance and functionalities equivalent to a full-size SUV.

 This SUV is impressive, very reliable, and offers above-average performances, agile handling, and comfy seating. 

Reliability and Comfort

The reliability of the Kia Sportage goes deep into the cabin.

 The interior of the Sportage is equally praised. 

With a seating capacity of five people and ample passenger space for its class, the Kia is a cut above the rest.

This SUV may be as luxurious as you wish it to be, thanks to its customizable interior. 

You can easily create the ambiance that you desire.

It has cloth upholstery as standard, with faux leather and genuine leather as you move up the trim levels.

 Other comfort features of the Kia Sportage include the heated steering wheel as well as cooled and heated seats. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

Is the Kia Sportage Safe? 

Yes. The Kia Sportage has superb safety and reliability ratings. 

The Kia was rated a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, and it received a five-star crash test safety rating from the NHTSA. 

On Consumer Reports and US News, it got high-reliability scores.

 This SUV is also very affordable compared to SUVs of its class. 

Which is the best Kia SUV to buy? 

The Kia Sportage is the most reliable Kia SUV and the best to buy. 

This compact SUV has received a high-reliability score on Consumer Reports and other review sites. Other Kia SUV models that have registered equally impressive scores are the Telluride, Sorento, and the Niro. 

But, if you are on a budget but still want to enjoy the luxury and performance that Kia SUVs offer, the Kia Sportage is an excellent choice. 

Are Kia SUVs Reliable?

Yes. The reliability of the Kia lineup of vehicles is above average. 

More so, the Kia SUV has high-reliability scores on many platforms and reputable review forums. 

Recently, Kia has made a lot of changes in the design, styling, and performance of its vehicles.

 According to RepairPal, Kia has consistently maintained a rating of 4.0/5.0, making it feature among the top 40 reliable brands globally. 

Which is the best between Kia Sportage and Kia Sorento? 

The Kia Sportage is the best choice if you are looking for a five-seater compact SUV that will carry most of your cargo and still offer high-class comfort and performance. 

But If you are looking for a very powerful Kia SUV, then the Kia Sorento is your best choice. 

Also, the Kia Sorento has a larger carrying capacity than the Kia Sportage. 

Why are Kias so cheap? 

Kia vehicles are cheap since they are manufactured in Seoul, South Korea where they don’t pay taxes to export to other countries. 

After its reintroduction in 1986, Kia started to design and manufacture cheap passenger vehicles. 

The tax incentive in South Korea has enabled Kia to boost its sales and have a wider reach worldwide. 

Are Kia SUVs expensive to repair? 

Kia ranked 14th on the list of the most expensive vehicle brands to maintain throughout the first ten years, with an estimated cost of maintenance of $8,800. 

In comparison, Toyota costs an average of $5,500 to repair. 

The average yearly repair and maintenance costs of a Kia vehicle are about $474. 

Are Kia engines reliable? 

Kia vehicles, and by extension the engines, have a reliability rating of 4.0/5.0, placing it at third out of 32 other automakers.

 This grade is based on an average of over 345 different models. 

Conclusion

The new Kia Sportage is the most reliable Kia SUV. 

But this doesn’t mean that it doesn’t come with its shortfall. 

But if you compare with the previous years, the new Sportage has seen some improvement in its overall design. 

There is a lot to like about the new Kia Sportage. 

Besides being the most reliable SUV on the Kia lineup, it will provide you with a fun-to-drive sporty experience. 

This is something that Kia’s competitors have failed to achieve so far. 

The two engine options that the Sportage model offers are enticing to any driver who loves adventure and the thrill of the powerful off-road drive. 

The responsive performance of the Kia Sportage is one of the reasons why it got a high reliability score on Consumer Reports. 

It is the most recommended SUV compared to rivals of its class like the Jeep Compass and the likes. If you are looking for a family-centric SUV that has plenty of cabin space and comfort, the Kia Sportage is the ride to go for.