Is the Kia Sportage expensive to maintain?

The Sportage averages $462/year in maintenance — $59 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 19% is well below the class average of 30% — owners visit for unscheduled repairs far less often than most rivals. Major repair probability of 11% is at the class average. Low cost and low visit frequency make it a strong ownership value.

What is the best year for a Kia Sportage?

The 2022 Sportage (42 complaints, 10/10 NHTSA safety, 6 severe) is the standout used pick — the mature end of the fourth generation before the 2023 redesign. The new fifth-generation launch in 2023 had 177 complaints but settled quickly to 62 in 2024 and 46 in 2025. Avoid 2012-2013 and 2017, which saw complaint spikes tied to the Theta II engine recall era.

How much does Kia Sportage insurance cost?

Sportage insurance averages around $1,997/year, or about $166/month.

Is the Kia Sportage or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $33/year cheaper — $429 versus $462 for the Sportage. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. The Sportage's repair frequency of 19% is significantly lower than the RAV4's 26%, meaning fewer unscheduled shop visits despite the slightly higher annual maintenance figure.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Kia Sportage?

Major repair probability of 11% at the class average, repair frequency well below it. Low-risk ownership. Extended warranty isn't strongly warranted for 2021+ models. For 2012-2013 and 2017 used models with documented engine recall history, coverage is worth taking seriously.

Hyundai Kona vs Kia Sportage

Two subcompact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Hyundai Kona based on your priorities for this class.

Buy the Kia Sportage based on your priorities for this class.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Hyundai Kona	Kia Sportage
Annual maintenance	—	$462
5-year total cost	—	$2,310
Reliability score	—	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	—	11%
Cargo space	63.7 cu ft	73.7 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$28,400winner	$30,900
Best years to buy	2026	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Hyundai Kona	Kia Sportage
RepairPal score	—	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	112.8winner	176.6
Years to avoid	2019, 2020, 2025	2010, 2012, 2013
Value retained · 3 yr	78.4%winner	75.7%
Value retained · 5 yr	61.3%winner	56.8%
Value retained · 7 yr	52.5%winner	45%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Hyundai Kona	Kia Sportage
Engine	51.9%winner	55.6%
Electrical	10.8%	6.1%winner
ADAS	12.1%	5.8%winner
Brakes	2.1%winner	8.5%
Steering	1.2%winner	1.5%
Fuel system	1.9%	1.1%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.4%	0.5%winner
Glass/Windows	0.7%winner	2.7%
Airbags	1.4%winner	2.5%
Lighting	0.5%winner	1.0%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Hyundai Kona	Kia Sportage
Avg annual premium	$1,960winner	$1,997

// FULL MODEL PAGES

$462/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →