By Brian Anderson
With the packed Kia SUV lineup, there is an an affordable, reliable vehicle for every use.
There was a time when the only thing appealing about a Kia was the price, but the Korean automaker has come a long way to offer some of the most exciting rides on the market. They are also pretty good at delivering what customers want, which at this point, is all about the crossover and SUV segments. Kia currently makes two cars, a minivan that kind of looks like an SUV, and eight SUVs/crossovers, to meet every want or need.
Kia, as well as its sister company Hyundai, have taken some heat recently because a few of their models are way too easy to steal, but they've worked that out, and it's not indicative of the overall quality of their vehicles. Not only has Kia made leaps and bounds in terms of styling and performance, but they've also established a reputation for well-built rides. With the jam-packed 2024 Kia SUV line-up, ranking them by reliability is helpful in deciding which one is the right fit.
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In compiling this article, we have cross-referenced information for vehicle reliability, maintenance, and pricing from sources like J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, RepairPal, CarEdge, and Consumer Reports to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible. Please note that we have ranked the following models based on most reliable to least reliable.
1 2024 Kia Seltos
Reliability Score: 87/100
The 2024 Kia Seltos may be a subcompact SUV, but it is roomier than most. Positioned between the Soul and the Telluride, it's the "Goldilocks" pick for drivers who don't want it too small or too big, but just right. The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is a bit weak, but upgrading to the 195-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged I-4 gives it all the zip anyone could need. The base model is kind of spartan, but handsomely-equipped, and delivers an under-$30,000 ride that is jammed with features.
Reliability
J.D. Power awarded the 2024 Seltos 87 out of 100 points in quality and reliability, which is a "Great" rating. RepairPal, unfortunately, doesn't have any information on any Kia vehicle of any year, so the average yearly maintenance cost is unknown. Edmunds claims the five-year cost of maintenance and repairs is $8,303 for a yearly average of $1,660.
That, however, doesn't seem terribly accurate, as all Kias have a 5-year total coverage and a 10-year powertrain warranty. It's doubtful that a new car would need anything but oil changes in the first five years and those don't add up to sixteen hundred bucks a year.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,442 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2 (Unexpected airbag deployment, oil pump fire risk)
- Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2021
2 2024 Kia Soul
Reliability Score: 87/100
Starting at just $21,565, the Kia Soul offers the best bang for the buck in 2024. With distinctive styling and a surprisingly roomy interior, the Soul comes loaded with standard features that cost extra in its competitors. The Soul also offers a comfortable ride and a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes the small SUV feel peppy. There is no all-wheel drive trim and Kia ditched the turbo option, but this is not an off-roader or performance vehicle, it's just basic transport that feels so much less basic.
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Reliability
The 2024 Soul also received a "Great" rating from J.D. Power, earning 87 out of a possible 100 points. These numbers are not pulled randomly from the universe, but rather are based on hundreds of thousands of reviews from real Kia Soul owners. Again, RepairPal has nothing to offer here, but CarEdge sets the maintenance cost for the first ten years at $6,896, which is $1,383 cheaper than the average of similar models. Edmunds, on the other hand, says it will cost $8,068 to maintain a Soul for the first five years.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,896 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
- Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2016
3 2024 Kia Sportage
Reliability Score: 83/100
The 2024 Kia Sportage comes with a lackluster 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder that may be too tame for the dowdiest of Sunday drivers. There is, however, a turbocharged 1.6-liter hybrid powertrain that delivers 226 horsepower and a PHEV version that cranks the ponies up to 261, so decent performance options are available. The Compact SUV has a spacious and functional interior, as well as an impressive array of tech and features. There is an off-road package, but there are way better 4x4s in the class that come at around the same sticker price.
Reliability
The 2024 Sportage is still in the "Great" zone with 83 out of 100 points from J.D. Power. With a $7,873 ten-year cost for maintenance and repairs, it beats the industry average for SUVs by $1,260. It, however, has a 2.21 percent worse chance of needing a major repair in that time. If it is powertrain-related, it's not a big deal because of that sweet Kia 10-year warranty, so this is definitely not a deal-breaker.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,873 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
- Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2012
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4 2024 Kia Telluride
Reliability Score: 83/100
The Kia Telluride has grabbed the top spot on many best mid-size SUV lists in 2024 because it has the right blend of price, performance, and standard equipment. Even the base model LX trim, which starts at just $37,585, comes loaded with goodies. At the higher trim levels, the Telluride is almost a luxury vehicle, that won't break the bank, coming in around the $50,000 mark.
The naturally aspirated 3,8-liter V-6 gives it plenty of punch, and the optional self-leveling air ride suspension makes it drive like a dream. The Telluride can either be an affordable, yet sophisticated family vehicle, or a hauling and towing off-road beast, depending on the packages.
Reliability
The 2024 Kia Telluride joins the Sportage with an 83 out of 100 point "Great" reliable ride, from the J.D. Power ranking. CarEdge doesn't have specific ten-year maintenance costs for the Telluride, but all Kia models combined have an $8,442 expense, which is better than most brands. They have a 19.92 percent chance of needing a major repair in that time, which is also better than the rest of the industry.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,069 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2 (Roll away from disengaged driveshaft, valve spring breakage)
- Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2020
5 2024 Kia Sorento
Reliability Score: 81/100
With a mid-cycle appearance refresh, the 2024 Kia Sorento looks a little cooler but is still the reliable mid-size SUV it's always been. Offering four powertrain options, two of which are hybrids, it can be a budget daily driver or a weekend warrior, when optioned with the 4x4 package.
With a comfortable ride and reasonable third-row seating, it's also a great family vehicle that families can still afford, starting at $33,365. Even the fully loaded PHEV top trim is only $51,665, which is a great price for a near-luxury ride with 261 horsepower.
Reliability
Hanging tough in the "Great" rating from J.D. Power, the 2024 Kia Sorento received 81 out of 100 points for quality and reliability. This is a measure of problems or defects in everything between the bumpers, including the bumpers. It will take $7,953 to maintain a Sorento for the first ten years, according to CarEdge, and it has a 23.71 percent chance of needing some major work in that time.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,953 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1 (Power steering loss)
- Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2016
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6 2024 Kia EV6
Reliability Score: 76/100
There may be some debate about whether the 2024 Kia EV6 is actually an SUV because it looks like a sleek sports car. Kia calls it an SUV and, since they built it, we'll give them the benefit of the doubt. The fully-electric EV6 also performs like a sports car, with a road-hugging ride and agile dynamics. For those looking to maximize driving range, the 167 to 225 horsepower single-motor version will suffice, but those looking for pure excitement should opt for the dual-motor variants that unleash up to 576 ponies.
Reliability
The EV6 is the first Kia to drop into the "Average" reliability rating from J.D. Power, though it's unclear specifically why. The automotive press is ranting and raving about this EV, but the rankings are based on real owners, so clearly there may be something, though it could be as trivial as a wonky Infotainment system. There is no data for maintenance costs from either RepairPal or Car Edge and the average cost for all Kia models probably doesn't apply as this is an electric vehicle, which is far cheaper to maintain than gas burners.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1 (Loss of drive power due to damaged charging unit)
- Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2022
7 2024 Kia Niro
Reliability Score: 76/100
The 2024 Niro is yet another subcompact SUV in Kia's lineup, but differs from the Seltos and Soul, both in styling and the fact that it's a hybrid. The base model features a 139-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor, while the plug-in hybrid powertrain makes 180 horsepower.
Neither of these options makes the Niro a performance vehicle, but that's not the point of it. This is an affordable hybrid, starting at $28,315, for people who want better gas mileage on a budget. It's a little on the small side, but it is a subcompact, and there are some nice standard features that give it a slightly upscale feel.
Reliability
The 2024 Kia Niro also scored 76 out of 100 points in quality and reliability from J.D. Power, which lacks any real context on how good or bad it really is. Technically, "Average" is not a bad thing, but most people would feel more comfortable with a "Great" rating. Again, CarEdge doesn't have specifics on the ten-year maintenance and repair costs, but the combined Kia lineup of $8,442 is probably fairly close, and that is better than average.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,442 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
- Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2019
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8 2024 Kia EV9
Reliability Score: Not Rated
The EV9 mid-size SUV is new to the Kia lineup in 2024 and one of 11 electric vehicles the Korean automaker plans to have by 2026. It is maybe the first real family-oriented electric SUV, with three rows of seating and a spacious interior. It is also a borderline luxury vehicle with features and refinement often found in more expensive rides.
Starting at $56,395, it's one of the best deals on the market, with a great mix of style, comfort, and performance. Speaking of which, the dual-motor setup combines to make 379 horsepower, and with the "Boost" mode activated, can hit 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.
Reliability
There are no rankings or maintenance cost averages for the 2024 Kia EV9, probably because it is so new. Despite being a recent addition to the Kia lineup, the EV9 has had two recalls already, but both of them involve nuts and bolts that weren't tightened properly and one of them was for the cover of the seat belt retractor, so these are not defects or even safety issues. The automotive press is in love with this EV SUV, and chances are, part of the reason is that it is so well put together.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2 (Loose seat belt retractor cover, improperly tightened differential bolts)
- Worst ES Year To Buy Used: N/A
