Are Kias Reliable? A Complete Breakdown
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Kias are some of the most popular vehicles today, and it’s for a good reason. While their history has had some ups and downs, today, they’re generally considered to be some of the safest, most reliable cars on the market. If you want to know if Kias are reliable, you’ve come to the right place. CoPilot is here to walk you through Kia’s past and current reputation, some models to look out for, and anything else you need to know before buying that Kia you’ve had your eye on!
Quick Answer: Yes, but It’s Complicated
Kias have a history of being faulty machines made with cheap parts. They used to be infamous for their frequent breakdowns and lack of reliability but have improved tremendously in the last several years and completely turned their image around. However, some new 2021 models have been hit with low predicted reliability ratings, so the jury’s still out on how reliable a new Kia will be.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR BRAKES?
Unless you’re a mechanic or super-dedicated car enthusiast, you might not know much about the brakes on your car. How long do they typically last? How often should you replace your brakes? We’ve got answers
What’s the General Consensus on Kias?
For the first several years of their existence, Kias were not reliable cars. They were widely known to suffer from frequent breakdowns due to the low quality of the parts used to create them. However, the brand has reinvented itself since then as one of the go-to low-maintenance automobile manufacturers on the market.
Kias are now extremely reliable (for the most part, we’ll get into the details later) and often rank highly on reliability scoresheets. According to RepairPal, Kias have been given a 4.0 out of 5.0 on the reliability scale, a significantly high number. Furthermore, they were ranked third out of 32 total brands in reliability, indicating that this make is an exceptionally reliable one to choose from.
Does Reliability Vary for Different Kia Models?
Yes, how reliable your Kia is can vary wildly depending on the model. It seems that most Kia models in the last decade are reliable vehicles that will treat you well and last a long time. Unfortunately, this is not quite the case for some of the newest 2021 models. A few have been slammed by critics for new features they’ve added that have actually made the driving experience and safety worse.
The 2021 Kia Forte and Kia Soul both have new transmissions called CVTs (continuously variable transmission) that are causing some unforeseen issues. According to Consumer Reports, the ride quality of these two models is much lower than before because the CVT makes you feel every bump in the road, and the cars’ overall handling feels less accurate. While the 2021 Kia Niro EV doesn’t come equipped with the CVT, it has its own share of problems. It’s an unnecessarily loud car that takes many hours to charge, making it a major inconvenience.
Despite difficulties with some of the newer Kia models, they aren’t all bad. The 2021 Kia Telluride and Kia Sportage have excellent reliability ratings from Consumer Reports, representing more of the quality that Kia is now known for. These two models, along with the majority of other Kia models from the past decade, are still quite reliable and can be purchased without much worry.
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How Long Is the Average Lifespan of a Kia?
Another great improvement about Kias in recent years is that their lifespan has increased by huge margins. While we can’t say exactly how long your specific Kia might last, we can give you some average numbers. Many Kias have been known to last over 200,000 miles, as long as the owner takes proper care of it and has routine inspection work done, of course.
There has even been a high proportion of Kias showing up online with over 250,000 miles that are still in great condition. As long as you do proper maintenance on your Kia, it should keep you on the road for a very long time.
Kia is also known for providing its customers with an excellent warranty, with each new Kia including:
- 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty
- 5-year/100,000 mile anti-perforation warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan
- 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty
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What else should I know about Kias?
All you really have to do to ensure you get a reliable Kia is avoid the small list of models that aren’t so reliable and do your due diligence on the particular vehicle you’re looking to purchase. We always recommend that you have your favorite local mechanic inspect any car before you purchase it and request a copy of the car’s pre-inspection report. This way, you have a professional you know is in your corner looking at the car, and you can analyze the car’s history yourself for any glaring flaws.
Otherwise, you’ll want to keep up routine maintenance, like timely oil changes, to maximize your Kia’s lifespan and keep the ride smooth and comfortable. The way you drive makes an impact here too. If you have a habit of braking suddenly and harshly or mistreating your car, its lifespan will decrease earlier than it should. Just make sure to take proper care of your vehicle, and your Kia should be a great companion to have with you on the road!
Frequently Asked Questions About Kia Reliability
Q: Have Kias always been considered reliable vehicles?
A: Historically, Kias were not seen as reliable due to frequent breakdowns from low-quality parts. However, over the past several years, Kia has significantly improved its manufacturing and quality control processes, transforming its reputation into that of a reliable car manufacturer.
Q: Do all Kia models have the same level of reliability?
A: Reliability can vary between different Kia models. While most recent models are known for their dependability, some 2021 models, like the Kia Forte and Kia Soul, have faced criticism due to issues with their new CVT transmissions, which affect ride quality and handling.
Q: What is the average lifespan of a Kia vehicle?
A: Many modern Kia vehicles can last over 200,000 miles with proper care and maintenance. Some have even been reported to exceed 250,000 miles, but longevity can vary by make and model.
Q: What kind of warranty does Kia offer?
A: Kia is known for its impressive warranty coverage, which includes a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a 5-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan, and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
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