You remember the 90s? Kia was the punchline of every automotive joke. They were the cars you bought when the bank laughed at your loan application and you just needed four wheels and a seatbelt. But things change. A lot.
Honestly, if you haven’t looked at a Kia since the George W. Bush administration, you’re basically looking at a different species. The question isn't just "are Kia good cars?" anymore; it’s whether they’ve actually started outrunning the legends like Honda and Toyota. It’s a wild pivot.
The Reality Check: Are Kia Good Cars in 2026?
If you want the short answer: Yes. They are. But "good" is a loaded word.
For the last few years, J.D. Power has been putting Kia at or near the top of their Vehicle Dependability Studies. In 2025 and heading into 2026, models like the Kia K4 (the Forte replacement) and the Kia K5 have been pulling in reliability scores in the mid-80s out of 100. That’s not just "okay" for a budget brand. It’s objectively better than some luxury German rivals that cost twice as much.
The brand has leaned hard into two things: design and tech. They hired Peter Schreyer (the guy who designed the Audi TT) years ago, and it shows. Current Kias don't look like economy boxes. They look like something from a cyberpunk movie, especially the EV6 and the massive EV9.
The "Theta II" Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about the engines. You can’t discuss Kia reliability without mentioning the massive recalls involving the Theta II engines.
For years, certain Kia and Hyundai models were literally catching fire or seizing up due to manufacturing debris in the oil passages. It was a mess. It led to a massive class-action settlement that extended warranties to 15 years or 150,000 miles for those specific issues.
Does that make them bad cars today? Not necessarily. But it’s why some people still give them the side-eye. Modern Kias, especially the newer Smartstream engines found in the 2024–2026 lineups, haven't shown those same catastrophic tendencies. But that history is why Kia has to work twice as hard to prove they’ve fixed the "guts" of their cars.
Where They Win: The Feature-to-Price Ratio
You’ve probably noticed that car prices are insane right now. Kia wins because they still pack more "stuff" into a $30,000 car than almost anyone else.
Take the 2025 Kia Seltos. You’re getting a small SUV with a decent AWD system, a massive screen, and ventilated seats—features that usually require a "Premium Plus" package on a Toyota.
- The Warranty: It’s still the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain king.
- The Tech: Their infotainment is actually intuitive. It doesn't feel like navigating a 1990s VCR menu.
- The Drive: They’ve tuned their suspensions to feel European—stiff but not bone-jarring.
The Electric Pivot
The Kia EV9 is currently the car everyone is talking about. It’s a three-row electric SUV that actually looks cool.
However, it hasn't been perfectly smooth sailing. There have been some "first-year" bugs. Specifically, the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) in the EV6 and EV9 has had some high-profile failures. Owners on forums like Reddit have reported being stranded when the 12-volt battery dies because the ICCU stopped charging it.
Kia is aggressive with software updates, often fixing these things "over the air" (OTA), but if you’re an early adopter, you’re definitely part of the R&D team.
Comparing the Giants: Kia vs. Toyota vs. Honda
Let's be real. If you buy a Toyota Corolla, you’re buying a car that will likely survive a nuclear winter. Toyota is the gold standard for long-term mechanical "immortality."
Kia is different. A Kia is for the person who wants the newest tech, the coolest lights, and a 10-year safety net, but maybe doesn't care if the car lasts 300,000 miles.
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Most people trade their cars in after 5 or 6 years anyway. If that's you, a Kia is arguably a better buy because you get more enjoyment out of those years for less money. But if your goal is to pass the car down to your grandkids, the Japanese brands still hold the edge in pure mechanical longevity.
Specific Recalls to Watch (2025-2026)
- 2024-2025 Sorento: Software errors affecting headlights.
- 2023-2025 Telluride: Issues with door belt molding trim detaching.
- 2024 EV9: Recalls for seat mounting bolts and remote parking software.
These aren't "your engine is going to explode" recalls for the most part, but they show that Kia is moving fast, and sometimes things get a little loose in the process.
The Verdict: Should You Buy One?
Kia is "good" in the way a high-end smartphone is good. It’s brilliant, packed with features, and looks amazing. It might have a software glitch once in a while, but the company usually patches it.
If you are looking at a Telluride, you are looking at one of the best family SUVs ever made. Period. If you are looking at a Soul, you're getting a quirky, reliable city car that’s cheap to insure.
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Just don't go in expecting a "prestige" brand experience at the dealership. Kia's biggest weakness right now isn't the cars—it's the dealers. Many owners report that while the cars have moved upscale, the service departments are still stuck in the "budget car" mindset of 1998.
Actionable Insights for Potential Kia Buyers:
- Check the VIN: If you’re buying used (2011–2019), check for the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) update. If it wasn't done, you might lose out on that extended engine warranty.
- Test the Infotainment: Kia's screens are great, but some people find the "haptic" touch buttons for climate control frustrating. Try them while driving.
- Lease the EVs: Because EV tech is moving so fast and the ICCU issues are still being ironed out, leasing an EV6 or EV9 is often smarter than buying. It protects you from rapid depreciation and long-term battery anxiety.
- Compare Insurance: Some older Kia models (pre-2022) without push-button starts are still harder to insure in certain cities due to the "Kia Boyz" theft trend. Check your quotes before you sign.
Kia has earned its spot at the table. They aren't the "cheap" choice anymore; they're the "smart" choice for people who value features and a long warranty over brand snobbery. Just keep an eye on those recall notices and enjoy the ventilated seats.