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Kia used to be a brand that people loved to hate. Although people associate Kia with excellent vehicles like the Telluride today, the South Korean automaker had a somewhat rocky history. However, as you may know, Kia has turned the corner and is now one of the prominent brands in the global market.
If you’re interested in driving a Kia, you certainly don’t have a shortage of models to choose from. Nevertheless, Kia’s former reputation of being unreliable may still linger in some people’s minds, prompting them to ask: How long do Kias last?
For today’s post, we’ll take a look at the standard lifespan of Kia vehicles. How many miles can you expect from your Kia? Is it a reliable brand that has longevity? What are the most reliable Kias with the longest lifespan? We’ll answer these questions and more.
How Far and Long Can You Drive a Kia?
Let’s get right to the chase: how long do Kias last? In the hands of a responsible owner, Kia vehicles are expected to last up to 200,000 miles. According to the accounts of owners who gave their Kias the much-needed TLC, they could get 200,000 to 250,000 miles and keep them on the road for a decade or more.
But of course, every driver’s mileage may vary (pun intended) when it comes to the longevity of vehicles. Longevity is influenced by numerous factors, including ownership care and driving conditions.
While the older Kias from 20 or so years ago won’t win awards for reliability, the most recent Kia lineups can log 200,000+ miles on the odometer – these are numbers that can compete with the likes of Honda and Toyota. For example, the Kia Rio subcompact sedan is capable of hitting 250,000 miles according to Reader’s Digest and has excellent reliability ratings as per J.D. Power.
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Kias Reliability Ratings
One of the most significant factors influencing a vehicle’s longevity is its overall reliability. So this begs the question: are Kias reliable? How long do Kias last?
In a nutshell: Yes, Kia is a reliable brand. However, please don’t take our word for it, and let’s instead refer you to the experts.
Kia has an above-average reliability rating. Although the South Korean company earned the reputation of being unreliable when it first entered the U.S. market, Kia has got its bearings together and is now one of the top reliable brands.
Today, it has a RepairPal reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 and is the third most reliable car brand in the market. Kia is only bested by two companies known for legendary reliability: Honda and Acura.
Kia also scored high in cost of ownership with its low annual repair cost of $474 per year, compared to the national average of $652 across all models. With 0.2 times shop visits a year for unscheduled repairs and a 10% probability of major repairs, Kia vehicles remain on the road longer than many brands.
Which Kias are the Most Reliable?
Kia offers high-quality cars at budget-friendly prices. However, like all car manufacturers, some Kias are better-engineered than others. If a vehicle is more reliable, the higher its chances of staying on the road and putting on more miles. Below are some of the most reliable Kias that will serve you for a long while:
Kia Rio
The Kia Rio is about as basic a transportation as you can get. The Rio isn’t going to blow anyone’s mind, but it offers enough comfort, practicality, and good fuel economy at a reasonable price. The base Rio models are relatively barebones, but the higher trims are full-featured vehicles that more than get the job done.
With the combination of Kia’s top-tier warranty and excellent safety ratings, the Kia Rio will last you a long while with the proper care and maintenance. As mentioned, some Rio owners claimed that they managed to reach 250,000 miles on their subcompact vehicle.
A quick check on RepairPal and the Rio boasts a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5.0, placing 6th out of 21 subcompact cars.
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Kia Soul
Kia’s big-hearted Soul is a boxy sheet metal that frequently turns heads. However, the Soul isn’t just a quirky SUV as it offers excellent practicality, fuel efficiency, and plenty of modern features. The base trim can be a little too barebones for many people, but its low price tag is clearly the main draw of the Soul.
Like any other vehicle, the Kia Soul needs proper care and maintenance. If you give it the TLC it needs, the Soul can last up to 200,000 miles and more. Stay on top of your oil changes and dealership services, and the Soul will reward you with 10-13 years of dependable service.
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage fits in with the stylish subcompact SUV segment. The Sportage is a solid option if you’re looking for a stylish and well-rounded suburban SUV. Not only is it one of the more striking subcompact SUVs available, but it’s also generously outfitted with modern features and advanced safety technologies. While it doesn’t offer an energetic performance, the Sportage is an SUV that will last.
Again, the Sportage should have no trouble reaching 200,000+ miles if it’s well-maintained. If you check out some prominent car forums, you’ll find many Sportage owners with over 200,000 miles driven. Plus, with Kia’s 5-year/60,000 miles basic and 10-year/100,000 miles powertrain warranties, you can have more peace of mind as you put more miles on the odometer.
Checking back on RepairPal, the Sportage has a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 and a 6th ranking out of 26 compact SUVs.
Make Your Kias Last
How long do Kias last? In reality, it will also depend on you as the owner. Aside from keeping up with your regular maintenance schedule and addressing repair concerns right away, it would also help if you drive gently and responsibly.
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
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