These Are Kia’s Most Reliable Models In 2025

Kia: the South Korean automaker that quietly turns out some of the most affordable, useful, practical, and hardy models on the market today. They may be slightly overlooked and maybe not as prestigious compared to other top-selling Asian marques such as Toyota, Lexus, and Honda, but Kia is up there with the most impressive in terms of the best all-encompassing vehicles. Some Kia models’ growing sales figures and high owner satisfaction prove they are a force to be reckoned with.

Like some of their Asian counterparts, Kia prides itself highly in terms of everyday usability and reliability, and some of the most reliable Kia models this year are rated by owners as being nearly unstoppable. These are the most reliable Kia models you can buy this year.

2025 Kia Soul

JD Power Reliability Rating: 88/100

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According to owner reviews on JD Power, the most reliable Kia model you can buy in 2025 is the 2025 Kia Soul. Boasting an overall score of 81 out of 100, a driving experience rating of 76 out of 100, and, most importantly here, a reliability score of 88 out of 100, the Soul offers a lot of bang for your buck, especially considering it has a starting price of $20,490.

This wallet-friendly crossover SUV is available in four grades: the Soul LX, the Soul S, the Soul GT-Line, and the Soul EX. All come equipped with a frugal 147-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-four, which can achieve an estimated combined mpg rating of between 30 and 31 mpg, and are all well kitted out considering the low price point.

• 2025 Kia Soul LX. MSRP: $20,490.
• 2025 Kia Soul S. MSRP: $22,990.
• 2025 Kia Soul GT-Line. MSRP: $24,090.
• 2025 Kia Soul EX. MSRP: $24,790.

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For a small crossover, the Soul features a decent maximum cargo space of 62.1 cubic feet, courtesy of fold-down rear seats; the base trim comes equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, which is upgraded to a 10.25-inch unit in higher models, and wireless charging is available.

The 2025 Kia Soul is a funky-looking machine and blends style, convenience, and safety without going over the top. However, you do get a lot considering its price. Available mood lighting, SynTex/cloth seats, and a dual-level cargo board add touches of personality and practicality in the cabin.

Safety is taken care of as well, thanks to the Kia Drive Wise system, which is available with forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-cross traffic alert. We can see why the owner ratings are high.

2025 Kia Seltos

JD Power Reliability Rating: 86/100

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Boasting a low starting price of just over $26,000, a maximum cargo capacity of 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded away, a choice between two perky inline-four engines, and spacious legroom of 41.1 inches and 38 inches in the front and rear, respectively, the 2025 Seltos’ 86 out of 100 owner reliability score is the topper. It is, unfortunately, though, a much-overlooked compact SUV compared to others.

This year’s Seltos measures in at a compact 172.8 inches (L) x 70.9 inches (W) x 64 inches (H), so it is more than useful as a city-friendly SUV; you get 31 combined mpg (28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway) from the base-level engine and 28 combined mpg (25 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway) from the turbo-four, and the five trims (LX/S/EX/X-Line/SX) are well-equipped at build.

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The LX showcases the basics in the shape of 17-inch alloys, an 8-inch infotainment system touchscreen, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat; the S adds two-tone 17-inch wheels, LED lights, fog lights, roof rails, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen, while the EX boasts wireless phone charging, heated front seats, and SynTex upholstery.

If you want some turbo motivation and a few more luxe additions, both the X-Line and the SX are the grades to choose from. The X-Line comes equipped with 18-inch gloss-black wheels, gloss black roof rails, and heated front seats. The top-tier SX showcases a smart power liftgate, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a Bose audio rig; it is the epitome of what the Seltos has to offer both in terms of performance and features.

2025 Kia K4

JD Power Reliability Rating: 86/100

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As proof that Kia knows what it is doing when it comes to reliability, the all-new-for-2025 Kia K4 is one of the most reliable Kia models you can buy this year. The K4 takes over the mantle from the much-coveted Forte. Typically, new models have teething problems, and while some owners have complained about infotainment glitches and poor starting, the JD Power owner-rated reliability rating of 86 out of 100 tells a different story.

Designed as a very useful and tech-savvy compact sedan, the K4 is affordable at the base level and relatively affordable across the board, with starting prices under $22,000, well-equipped (even the base trim comes equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and Smart Key), and is available with two engines that make it good for everyday driving and give you an option for a touch of sportiness.

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The trims available this year are the K4 LX ($21,990), the K4 LXS ($22,990), the K4 EX ($23,990), the K4 GT-Line ($25,190), and the GT-Line Turbo ($28,090). As standard, you get a 2.0-liter inline-four good for 147 horsepower mated to a CVT, while if you opt for the GT-Line Turbo, you get a 190-horsepower 1.6-liter turbo-four mated to an eight-speed automatic.

The K4 GT-Line Turbo can hit 60 mph in around 7 seconds, which may not be the fastest sedan on the road today, but makes everyday driving feel a bit more spirited, while the multi-link rear suspension, large front and rear discs, and sporty paddle shifters on the steering wheel give it a bit of bite, all at a very low price.

2025 Kia K5

JD Power Reliability Rating: 85/100

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Showcasing a sleek, sporty look with oodles of tech, comfort, and safety features inside, the 2025 Kia K5 does a grand job at disrupting the sedan market. Starting prices for the base trim (LXS) are just north of $28,000; it will cost you just under $30,000 for the GT-Line; the GT costs $34,465, and the EX will set you back just south of $36,000.

The whole K5 lineup has been given an overall owner-rated score of 83 out of 100; owners on Kelley Blue Book have rated it as 4.1 out of 5, and RepairPal says that it will cost you just $474 (on average) to maintain each year. As a well-priced all-around sedan, it does a stellar job.

The LXS comes equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights, and dual-zone climate control. It is an entry-level trim that doesn’t feel entry-level. The GT-Line adds a sporty edge with 18-inch alloys, LED fog lights, and a gloss-black grille, while the interior is a tad plusher, thanks to a wireless phone charger, SynTex-trimmed seats, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

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If you are in the market for tech and comfort, the EX is the grade to go for. Here, you get ventilated and heated seats, a panoramic sunroof, premium upholstery, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

At the top of the pile, in terms of athleticism, is the GT, which features 19-inch wheels, sports seats, paddle shifts, the very potent turbo-four under the hood, and unique exterior and interior features that combine comfort, sportiness, low prices, and a sleek style inside and out.

2025 Kia Telluride

JD Power Reliability Rating: 85/100

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As one of the most-coveted yet still relatively affordable mid-sized SUVs on the market today, the Kia Telluride brings reliability, eight seats, a relatively powerful engine, a decent towing capacity, and lots of standard safety features that make it one of the safest SUVs you can buy this year.

The IIHS has given the 2025 Telluride a Top Safety Pick+ award due to its crashworthiness, crash avoidance, and seat belt ratings of ‘Good’ across the board. You also get a huge number of safety features, courtesy of the Kia Drive Wise suite, which includes blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keep assist.

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There is just one engine option for this year’s Kia Telluride: a 3.8-liter V6 good for 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated with an eight-speed auto box. Front-wheel drive comes as standard, and all-wheel drive is available for all trims. 2025 Kia Telluride trims are as follows:

• 2025 Kia Telluride LX.
• 2025 Kia Telluride S.
• 2025 Kia Telluride EX.
• 2025 Kia Telluride EX-Line.
• 2025 Kia Telluride SX X-Line.
• 2025 Kia Telluride SX X-Pro.
• 2025 Kia Telluride SX Prestige.

The base trim boasts good standard fare in the shape of SynTex seat trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, one-touch sliding second-row seats, and dual-zone climate control. The S takes things a notch up with heated front seats; the EX gets you leather heated and ventilated seats; the SX models get you Nappa leather (when opted for), and the highest trims boast all of this plus plusher touches and a swankier finish.

2025 Kia Sportage

JD Power Reliability Rating: 84/100

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Boasting an owner-rated reliability score of 84 out of 100 and a RepairPal reliability score of 4 out of 5, this year’s Kia Sportage should serve you well for dependability. RepairPal has also stated that it will cost you, on average, $462 a year to maintain, or substantially less than the average vehicle ($652).

Starting prices are relatively low for the base LX trim at $28,785, while top-end prices stretch up to the $40,000 mark for the X-Pro Prestige trim. The whole gas-engine Sportage lineup comes equipped with a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-four, with power sent through an eight-speed automatic to either the front two wheels or all four wheels. The maximum towing capacity for the Sportage is a relatively healthy 2,500 pounds if you are using a braked trailer.

There is also a hybrid range, which comes equipped with a 235-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four paired with an electric motor. Prices are slightly higher at the base level ($30,185), but opting for the hybrid flavor does improve the estimated combined mpg rating of 25 mpg for the FWD Sportage to up to 43 mpg for the FWD Sportage Hybrid (PHEV).

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Standard across the lineup is a six-way manual driver’s seat and a four-way manual front passenger seat, an 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.2-inch digital instrument cluster, and a six-speaker audio rig. So, reasonably well kitted out for its price point.

As you move up the trims, you do get a lot in the way of standard and optional extras, which include heated and ventilated front seats, an optional heated steering wheel, a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, a wireless phone charger, leather-wrapped seats, optional LED interior ambient lighting, and an available panoramic sunroof.

2025 Kia Carnival

JD Power Reliability Rating: 76/100

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Following typical Kia trim naming, this year’s Kia Carnival MPV is available as the LX, the LXS, the EX, the SX, and the SX Prestige, while the Kia Carnival Hybrid is available as the same trim minus the base trim LX. Prices for the gas-only Carnival range from $38,000 to just over $52,000, while the pricier hybrid Carnival is available at prices from $42,000 to just over $54,000.

The gas-only Carnival trims are equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 good for 287 horsepower, with power sent through an eight-speed automatic to the front wheels only. The hybrid Carnival flaunts a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four hybrid mill that can shift out 242 combined horsepower (72 horsepower from the electric motor).

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The 2025 Carnival can seat up to eight people as standard and offers up to 145.1 cubic feet of storage space when the seats are folded down. All trims come equipped with sliding second-row ‘Slide-Flex’ seats, removable and fold-in-floor third-row seats, and dual power-sliding doors, while legroom over all three rows is respectable, making the Kia Carnival a very impressive three-row family SUV this year.

From the outside, the 2025 Carnival has been redesigned with a bold SUV-inspired look, with a sculpted grille, cube-like LED headlights, StarMap lighting details, and either 17- or 19-inch alloys depending on trim (19-inch alloys are equipped as standard on the EX trim and above). All in all, it is reliable, spacious, relatively well priced, and looks the part.

2025 Kia Sorento

JD Power Reliability Rating: 74/100

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With a JD Power reliability rating of 74 out of 100 and an owner-rated Kelley Blue Book reliability rating of 4 out of 5, this year’s Kia Sorento is not only one of the most reliable models you can buy from the South Korean marque, but also one of the most handy to own.

Dimensions aren’t huge, at 189.6 inches (L) x 74.8 inches (W) x 66.7 inches (H), so city driving is not out of the question; there are three rows of seating, with respectable legroom across all rows (front: 41.4 inches/second row: 41.7 inches/third row: 29.6 inches); you get a maximum cargo capacity of 75.5 cubic feet with all the seats folded away, and starting prices are low, at $33,435.

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There are four engine options for the 2025 Kia Sorento lineup: a 191-horsepower/181-pound-foot 2.5-liter inline-four, a 281-horsepower/311-pound-foot turbo-four, a 227-horsepower/258-pound-foot 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four hybrid, and a 261-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four plug-in hybrid.

As we have found with the other reliable Kia models, the hybrid flavor is the more expensive option at build. The same is apparent with the hybrid Sorento, with starting prices at $40,135, but again, the hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines could save you money on gas.

2025 Kia Niro

JD Power Reliability Rating: 74/100

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This year’s Kia Niro carries over all the usable, affordable, and clean-looking features from previous generations, but is also very reliable, and is available with a varied range of powertrains. The hybrid Niro trims are the LX, EX, EX Touring, SX, and SX Touring; the PHEV trims are the EX and the SX Touring, and the EV trims are the Wind and Wave.

The hybrid lineup has a starting price of $26,990; the PHEV lineup has a price range of between $35,935 and $42,235, and the Kia Niro EV has a price range of between $41,000 and just over $46,000.

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Inside, both the HEV and PHEV models share a lot of the same features. As standard, an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights and taillights, and 16-inch wheels are fitted. As you move up the trims, both EX trims start to offer more in the shape of a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and larger 18-inch wheels to finish off the increasingly well-rounded nature of the higher trims.

The Kia Niro EV is the most techy from build, and comes equipped with a 10.25-inch digital cluster and rotary-dial gear selector as standard, while the Niro Wave is even more beefed up in terms of tech.

The Wave is kitted out with a very comprehensive safety feature list, which includes Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist-Rear with Parallel Exit; you also get a 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, a HUD, and HomeLink in the rearview mirror, while full LED lighting is also included.

2025 Kia EV9

JD Power Reliability Rating: 67/100

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Aside from the Kia Niro EV, as part of the Niro lineup, the stand-alone 2025 Kia EV9 is the most reliable all-electric Kia model you can buy in 2025. Owners have rated it 67 out of 100 for reliability on JD Power, while the two owners who have given it a review on Kelley Blue Book have rated it as 5 out of 5 for reliability.

You’ll notice that the reliability ratings are substantially lower compared to the other reliable Kia models on the list, which sides with ICE fans on the EV vs. gas reliability argument, but for a one-year-old model line, the EV9 does a good job.

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The Kia EV9 is available as a rear-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive EV, with two motor options. You can choose between a single, rear-mounted motor good for 215 horsepower or dual electric motors (one at the front and one at the back) good for 379 horsepower.

There are six trims available: the Light RWD, the Light Long Range RWD, the Wind e-AWD, the Land e-AWD, the GT-Line e-AWD, and the GT, with prices ranging from $56,395 to around $80,000. EPA estimated driving ranges run from 230 miles for standard models up to 304 miles for long-range models; you get three rows of seating; the cabin is decked out with dual 12.3-inch screens; it has been given a five-star NHTSA safety rating, and 81.7 cubic feet of storage space is available.

Maybe the best part, though, is that the 2025 Kia EV9 can tow up to 5,000 pounds — the same as the Telluride, and can get you from rest to 60 in around 4.5 seconds. While reliability may not be there yet compared to some of the other most reliable Kia models in 2025, the EV9 offers a huge amount of versatility in the three-row EV SUV market.

Source: Kia, J.D. Power, IIHS, NHTSA, RepairPal, Kelley Blue Book, and FuelEconomy.gov.