Are Kia cars reliable?
Discover the reliability of Kia models in our guide
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If you’re considering a car from the South Korean brand, you might be asking yourself, ‘Are Kias reliable?’ You wouldn’t be alone.
Car reliability is one of the big things we think about when shopping for some new wheels. The last thing you want is a car that constantly needs repairs, isn’t safe, or comes with a less-than-great warranty.
Thankfully, we’re pretty lucky where Kia is concerned. Kia reliability is backed by its impressive reputation and a seven-year warranty that blows most competitors out the water.
We explain just how reliable Kia cars are in our guide below.
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Understanding reliability ratings
There are plenty of ways to judge car reliability, and many car experts have their own awards and ranking systems.
It’s also helpful to hear about reliability directly from owners, usually in forums, because they’ve lived with these cars.
Euro NCAP ratings are helpful in understanding the safety of a car, but also reliability. Cars that perform well in these thorough tests tend to be well-built, which is always a good sign of dependability. With all that in mind, here’s an overview of Kia reliability.
How is Kia reliability determined?
Kia reliability can be judged by a few different things, such as:
Kia warranty
One of the big things Kia has going for it is an impressive seven-year (or 100,000 mile) warranty. This is much better than the industry-standard three years you usually get.
Even more good news – Kia warranties are automatically transferred to new owners, so you might inherit a chunky warranty when you buy a used Kia.
Engines
A reliable Kia can be judged by its engine – and that’s not just how it’s built and runs, but fuel efficiency is also important if you’re keeping an eye on running costs.
Kia engines are often praised for their reliability. There are plenty of options to choose from, and most are built to last, which is proven by the warranty (Kia might not commit to such a long warranty if it wasn’t confident about its cars).
Electric Kias specifically are being praised for reliability, so they’re definitely worth considering. They’re simpler mechanically than petrols, diesels and hybrids, so that should mean less time at the garage for you.
 "Kia Ceed engine bay")
Safety features
A reliable car is usually a safe car, so looking for a Kia with a high Euro NCAP safety rating and plenty of safety tech is the way forward.
Plenty of Kia models have tech like forward collision avoidance that will warn you and brake automatically if needed, as well as lane departure warning to keep you focused on your lane.
How reliable are different Kia models?
Reliability can differ depending on the model, so we’ve taken a look at some of the most popular Kias below.
Kia Sportage reliability
 "Kia Sportage front three quarters")
The Kia Sportage is one of the most popular SUVs on the market, and that’s saying something when you consider just how in-demand SUVs are.
It’s easy to see why when you look at the Sportage reliability reputation. They come with that Kia seven-year/100,000-mile warranty for a start, which is better than most rivals.
Build quality is impressive, especially on the inside. It’s a solid car that you can tell will stand up to daily use.
The Sportage was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2022, so you know it’s fit to safely carry your family. That’s thanks to safety features like forward collision avoidance assist and warning systems, and lane departure warnings.
Reviews from owners in the forums are also solid, and the Sportage has a shelf of shiny trophies from reliability surveys where it often tops the leaderboard in its category.
Kia Niro EV reliability
 "Kia Niro EV front three quarters")
An electric car is a good place to be if you want reliability, and the Kia Niro EV is one of our top picks.
In general, electric cars need less maintenance due to their lack of oily engine parts. Fewer moving parts means less to go wrong, plus no fluids to replace or keep on top off.
The Niro EV in particular is another award winner. You’ll find that reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with easy upkeep and impressive reliability ratings.
The petrol or diesel-powered Niro scored a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2022, so you can expect the electric variant to perform at similar levels.
Kia Picanto reliability
 "Kia Picanto driving")
For a small Kia that’s still reliable, you can’t really go wrong with the popular Picanto.
Getting that massive seven-year warranty and plenty of safety tech (in fact, the same tech you get in flashier and bigger Kia models), it's a reliable choice for a smaller city car.
The Picanto has upheld its reliability reputation for over 20 years, and you’ll typically find it high up on reliability surveys and reviews.
The people speak highly of it as well, with reviews in forums praising this little powerhouse for being a car you can really depend on.
Is Kia more reliable than other brands?
So, we know Kia is a reliable car manufacturer, but how does it stand up against over brands?
Kia reliability vs. BMW
Kia reliability is closely comparable to BMWs. They both make solid cars and also make safety a priority.
With BMW, the cars are generally more expensive and that means upkeep can be pricier as well. Those premium parts should last a bit longer though.
On the warranty front, Kia’s seven-year offering beats BMW’s three-year warranty, although BMW’s has unlimited mileage compared to Kia’s 100,000.
Both are dependable brands, so you can’t go wrong with either pick.
Kia reliability vs. Hyundai
Kia and Hyundai are basically siblings as Kia sits under the Hyundai Motor Group. So, while they’re not the same brand, they are very alike.
In fact, some Kia and Hyundai cars share the same platform and that’s generally a positive sign. If they’re using the same car tech twice, that gives the impression it can be depended on.
Interestingly, Hyundai offer a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, which could sway you over the seven-year 100,000-mile warranty from Kia if you cover a lot of miles.
Kia reliability vs. Mercedes
Kia and Mercedes are both known for prioritising quality, and that shines through with reliability. They both produce impressive cars that are easy to live with.
Like BMW, Mercedes models can be pricier to upkeep, but those premium parts should last longer. It’s down to what matters to you.
Also like BMW, Mercedes offer a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty.
What does vehicle reliability mean?
To conclude, a reliable car is one that’s built to last, high-quality and safe.
If reliability is your priority, you’re looking for a car doesn’t want for much more than standard maintenance.
Reliability surveys and ratings are a helpful indicator, but these are all based on different factors depending on where you find the rating.
A good place to check is forums for the brand and model. You’ll find real world experiences with the cars here and can pick up any common issues.
Find reliable used Kia cars
Kia reliability looks promising all round and there are plenty of real-life accounts that support this.
As one of the most dependable brands on the market, a Kia car is ideal if you want a low-maintenance model that will be happy with its regular MOT and servicing.
Take a look at our full range of used Kia cars to find your perfect fit.
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