Over the past decade, Kia, alongside its sister brand Hyundai, has significantly transformed its vehicle lineup, producing cars that frequently compete with the best in their segments for features, driving dynamics, and comfort.
All of this is achieved while maintaining a competitive price point, often undercutting rivals.
Anyone who has dismissed Kia as merely a budget carmaker has missed out on the brand’s evolution, as its recent models are packed with value and its used cars are available at even more attractive prices.
Kia cars are also known for their reliability and the brand was named the most dependable mass-market brand.
While a few models have had their share of issues, Kia’s overall reliability is solid across its entire lineup.
To determine the best of these models, we consulted data from the iSeeCars research team, which analyzed millions of used car listings to identify which vehicles have outlasted their competition.
Their findings reveal the top-performing Kia models to date. It’s worth noting that for some of Kia’s newest vehicles, there isn’t enough data yet to assign a rating, so they are not included in this ranking.
1. Kia Cadenza
The 2017 Kia Cadenza we tested was a standout car for its price. The interior exuded a premium feel, featuring heated leather seats and metal trim that could easily rival those of many entry-level luxury sedans.
The rear seats were equally impressive, offering ample legroom for even taller passengers. Externally, the styling was pleasant but somewhat forgettable, especially when compared to Kia’s more recent designs.
The 3.3L V6 engine provided ample power, making highway overtakes effortless, and the eight-speed automatic transmission was smooth, as expected from a premium sedan.
Despite these strong attributes, the Cadenza struggled in the marketplace and was discontinued after the 2020 model year.
Most buyers either opted for more affordable Kia models or chose an SUV or crossover. Though it was often overlooked, the Cadenza has proven to be a reliable used vehicle, with an iSeeCars reliability score of 7.4/10.
2. Kia K900
The Kia K900, positioned above the Cadenza, was the brand’s most luxurious sedan. It remained largely underappreciated and was eventually discontinued in 2020 due to weak demand in the luxury sedan market.
Despite its brief production run, the K900 was packed with features that allowed it to compete with more established rivals in the segment.
Notable features included a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, heated and ventilated seats, and a combination of metal and faux wood trim.
The K900 also stood out for being significantly more affordable than many competitors in its class, although this price advantage did not translate into strong sales.
For those able to find one of the limited used examples available, the K900 offers good reliability, with an iSeeCars rating of 7.5/10.
3. Kia Rio
The current generation of the Kia Rio debuted in 2020 and introduced several key updates over its predecessor.
It received a redesign to align more closely with the brand’s latest design language, along with a new infotainment system that offers additional connectivity features.
The Rio’s primary appeal remains its affordable upfront price, which makes it a standout option in the subcompact car category. Its reliability is also decent for its class, earning a 7.5/10 rating from iSeeCars.
While older models of the Rio, specifically from 2011 to 2017, have faced recent recalls, the current generation has not experienced the same issues so far.
The Rio does have its shortcomings, many of which stem from the automaker’s efforts to keep costs low. Despite these flaws, the Rio is a solid choice for those seeking a no-frills, reliable daily driver.
However, it won’t be available much longer it’s been confirmed that the model will be discontinued after the 2023 model year as Kia shifts its focus to more profitable SUVs and crossovers.
4. Kia Forte
The Kia Forte stands out as another affordable option in Kia’s lineup. Its main appeal lies in the value it offers, but after testing the Forte GT, we were convinced that it brings more to the table than just a low price.
In fact, the Forte GT is genuinely fun to drive, despite its 1.6L engine being less powerful than most of its competitors.
While it may not be fast, the GT variant provides a performance boost of 54 extra horsepower over the standard Forte, resulting in a total output of 201 horsepower.
This added power makes the car feel more spirited when accelerating, and much like a Mazda Miata, you can enjoy pushing it to its limits without fear of losing your driver’s license.
However, while the Forte GT offers an engaging experience, its handling falls short compared to the Miata, and its reliability doesn’t quite match up either.
Still, it earned a respectable 7.6/10 reliability rating, positioning it as one of the most dependable options in its segment.
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5. Kia Soul
Kia’s quirky Soul maintained its distinctive appearance and abundant features when it was updated in 2023, although the more powerful Turbo model was removed from the lineup.
While this might be disappointing to some, performance was never the main draw for buyers. Instead, it was the Soul’s affordable starting price, competitive features, and, of course, its unique styling.
Though its design may not appeal to everyone, it stands out in a segment where most cars favor more conservative looks to appeal to a broader audience.
The Soul doesn’t follow those conventional design rules, and that’s one of the reasons it stands out. Despite its distinctive exterior, it shares much of its platform with Kia’s more traditional models, resulting in a similar reliability rating to the brand’s other small cars.
The team awarded the Soul a 7.6/10, positioning it toward the top of the overall rankings.
6. Kia Optima
The Kia Optima was replaced by the K5 after the 2020 model year, with the K5 receiving additional updates to stay competitive in the shrinking sedan market.
However, the previous Optima still makes an excellent used car choice, partly due to its strong reliability rating of 7.7/10.
The final generation of the Optima, introduced for the 2016 model year, impressed us with its handling, which exceeded expectations for a sedan of its size and price.
Additionally, the Optima offered generous equipment for the price, including advanced technology features and high-quality interior materials.
The Optima’s biggest drawback was a fate shared with many other sedans: the shifting market trends. Despite being a well-rounded car, the Optima struggled to attract attention in a market increasingly dominated by crossovers.
As a result, it was quietly phased out, but today, the Optima remains a strong used option for buyers looking for a sedan alternative to the many crossovers flooding dealerships.
7. Kia Optima Hybrid
It’s common for reliability to dip when more complex hybrid powertrains are introduced, but the Optima Hybrid maintained the same reliability as its non-hybrid counterpart, earning a 7.7/10 rating from iSeeCars.
The Optima Hybrid significantly improved fuel efficiency over the gas-only model, boasting a reported 10 percent increase in efficiency.
This was achieved by integrating a 38kW motor that allowed the four-cylinder engine to reduce in size from 2.4L to 2.0L. Despite the smaller engine, the Optima Hybrid retained an impressive 193 horsepower.
The Optima Hybrid continued to offer a strong level of standard equipment, including active safety systems and infotainment features such as Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker audio system, and Smart Cruise Control.
Additionally, it introduced new efficiency-focused features like the Cruising Guide. Like the standard Optima, the Hybrid model’s cabin was spacious and, in the higher trim levels, offered premium furnishings at an affordable price.
8. Kia Sportage
Tied for second place in the reliability rankings is the Kia Sportage, a family SUV that consistently performs well in terms of sales for the brand. A new generation was introduced for 2023, bringing refreshed styling, more space, and a new suite of tech features.
These updates included navigation-based cruise control and parking assist, along with the usual collision avoidance technology and blind-spot monitoring.
One of Kia’s most notable improvements in recent years is the design of its interiors, and the Sportage is no exception. Its cabin design is a step ahead of many competitors, complemented by a wide range of standard features inside.
While the safety and infotainment features are a valuable addition, no family-focused vehicle is truly appealing unless it’s dependable.
With rating of 7.9/10, the Sportage may not have the best score in its segment, but it is still one of Kia’s most reliable models. This means that most owners can expect a hassle-free experience.
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9. Kia Sedona
The Kia Sedona served as the brand’s minivan offering until the 2021 model year, after which it was replaced by the more modern Carnival.
While the Carnival made a bold move to distance itself from traditional minivans, the Sedona was content to stick with the familiar formula, offering ample room, decent fuel economy, and not much excitement.
It was designed as a practical family vehicle that could comfortably seat everyone, but without offering anything particularly distinctive in the process.
By the time it was phased out, the top-tier Sedona models had become quite comfortable, with a respectable amount of tech features, though still not class-leading.
Its reliability rating mirrors this scoring 7.9/10, placing it as the second-best-rated Kia model. However, in terms of overall segment performance, it didn’t stand out as exceptional.
10. Kia Sorento
The three-row SUV market is highly competitive, but the Kia Sorento stands out by being slightly smaller and therefore more affordable than many of its rivals.
This compactness results in a slightly cramped third row, but it also brings several advantages.
The first of these is an impressive range of standard equipment at a competitive price point, with higher trims offering additional technology and upscale features that elevate the cabin beyond what you’d expect for its cost.
Another benefit is the generous second-row legroom, which stands out considering the Sorento’s overall size. Depending on the trim, the vehicle can be configured to accommodate either six or seven passengers, with captain’s chairs available in the higher-end trims.
The Sorento’s strong reliability rating is the cherry on top, with an 8.0/10 score from iSeeCars, making it the best-performing model in Kia’s midsize SUV category to date.
