What is the best year for a Hyundai Palisade?

The Palisade's complaint counts have remained elevated across all model years. 2020 (504 complaints) was the worst, with gradual improvement since. The 2025 model (213 complaints, 10/10 safety, 9 severe) is the strongest year currently available as a used buy. Avoid early 2020-2021 production when possible — the trend is improving, but complaint levels across all years remain higher than most three-row rivals.

How much does Hyundai Palisade insurance cost?

Palisade insurance averages around $3,049/year — roughly $254/month. The highest insurance rate of any model in this dataset, well above the three-row class norm.

Is the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Telluride cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance cost data isn't available for the Kia Telluride, so a direct comparison isn't possible. Within the three-row class, the Palisade's $573/year sits exactly at the segment average.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Palisade?

Maintenance metrics are all at the segment average, which doesn't create a strong case for or against warranty on cost grounds alone. However, the Palisade's consistently elevated complaint counts — particularly around electronics and infotainment — make coverage worth considering for used buyers, as those systems carry significant repair costs outside of warranty.

Is the Kia Sorento expensive to maintain?

The Sorento costs $533/year to maintain — $40 below the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 29% is well below the class average of 40%. Reliability score of 8 is above the segment average of 7, and major repair probability of 11% is well below the 13% norm. One of the strongest ownership-cost profiles in the three-row class.

What is the best year for a Kia Sorento?

Strongly avoid 2011-2017, which logged complaint counts between 741 and 1,515 annually — tied to engine and powertrain issues across multiple generations. The 2024 Sorento (35 complaints, 10/10 safety, 7 severe) is the best year on record. The 2020-2025 window represents a substantially improved reliability profile, with 2024 as the standout pick.

How much does Kia Sorento insurance cost?

Sorento insurance averages about $2,005/year — roughly $167/month. The lowest insurance rate in the three-row class.

Is the Kia Sorento or Toyota Highlander cheaper to maintain?

The Highlander is cheaper to maintain by $44/year — $489 versus $533 for the Sorento. Both carry a reliability score of 8. Repair frequency data isn't available for the Highlander, but on cost and reliability score, the two are closely matched. The Sorento's $44 premium is modest given its improving complaint trajectory.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Kia Sorento?

Major repair probability of 11% and repair frequency of 29% are both well below the three-row class average. For 2020 and newer models, extended warranty isn't needed — the data supports self-insuring. For used buyers in the 2011-2017 range, coverage is strongly recommended given the documented complaint history.

Hyundai Palisade vs Kia Sorento

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Hyundai Palisade if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Kia Sorento — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Hyundai Palisade	Kia Sorento
Annual maintenance	$573	$533winner
5-year total cost	$2,865	$2,665winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	13%	11%winner
Cargo space	—	—
Starting price (new)	$41,035	$32,390winner
Best years to buy	2022	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Hyundai Palisade	Kia Sorento
RepairPal score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	355.3winner	494.7
Years to avoid	2024, 2025, 2026	2011, 2013, 2014
Value retained · 3 yr	73.3%	75.6%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	54.7%winner	51.6%
Value retained · 7 yr	43.2%winner	39.8%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Hyundai Palisade	Kia Sorento
Engine	11.2%winner	41.0%
Electrical	4.7%winner	7.2%
ADAS	9.4%	5.0%winner
Brakes	14.6%	4.8%winner
Suspension	5.7%	0.9%winner
Steering	2.0%winner	3.5%
Fuel system	—winner	1.1%
Tires/Wheels	0.7%	—winner
Glass/Windows	14.1%	2.1%winner
Airbags	4.6%winner	5.3%
Lighting	—winner	5.2%
Seatbelt	14.0%	—winner

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 Palisade	Kia Sorento
Avg annual premium	$3,049	$2,005winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Hyundai Palisade

$573/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Kia Sorento

$533/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Palisade costs $573/year to maintain — exactly at the three-row segment average. Repair frequency of 37% is slightly below the class average of 40%. Reliability score of 7 and major repair probability of 13% both match segment averages. Precisely average across all maintenance metrics — though its insurance cost stands well apart from the class.

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 →