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.

Is the Kia Telluride expensive to maintain?

The Kia Telluride averages $573 a year in maintenance. That is in line with the three-row segment average of $573. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.37 times per year, below the three-row segment at 0.4. Its reliability score is 7.0/10. Verdict: cheaper than average to keep on the road.

What is the best year for a Kia Telluride?

Judged on complaint rate, severity, and safety scores across its own history, the Kia Telluride's strongest year is 2025 — 95 complaints, a 10/10 safety score, 3 severe issues. 2023 also rate well. Recent years show fewer complaints partly because they have spent less time on the road. The weakest years by those same measures are 2020 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: 2025 is the strongest pick.

How much does Kia Telluride insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the Kia Telluride averages $2,695 a year, about $225 a month (industry average). That is more than the three-row segment average of $2,396. Actual rates vary by trim, location, and driving record — compare quotes before buying.

Is the Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance runs $573 a year on the Kia Telluride versus $573 on the Hyundai Palisade. Reliability scores are 7.0/10 and 7.0/10. Unscheduled repairs average 0.37 versus 0.37 times per year. Verdict: the Kia Telluride is the cheaper of the two to run.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Kia Telluride?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 13%, so roughly 87 in 100 owners will not face one — in line with the three-row segment norm of 13%. Reliability sits at 7.0/10. Verdict: optional — worth it only if you want predictable costs.

Kia Sorento vs Kia Telluride

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

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

Buy the Kia Telluride if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Kia Sorento	Kia Telluride
Annual repairs	$533winner	$573
5-year repair cost	$2,665winner	$2,865
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$15,801winner	$19,824
Reliability score	8 / 10winner	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	11%winner	13%
Cargo space	75.5 cu ft	89.3 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$33,400winner	$40,700

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Kia Sorento	Kia Telluride
RepairPal score	8 / 10winner	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	546.1	309.7winner
Strongest years	2018, 2020, 2023	2023, 2025
Weakest years	2011, 2013, 2014	2020
Value retained · 3 yr	75.6%	79.6%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	51.6%	53.9%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	39.8%	40.7%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Kia Sorento	Kia Telluride
Engine	45.8%	19.3%winner
Electrical	7.2%winner	8.8%
ADAS	5.2%winner	7.9%
Brakes	4.8%	2.0%winner
Suspension	—winner	3.1%
Steering	3.5%	—winner
Fuel system	1.2%	—winner
Glass/Windows	2.1%winner	20.6%
Airbags	5.3%	—winner
Lighting	5.2%winner	9.6%
Seatbelt	—winner	1.4%

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?

	Kia Sorento	Kia Telluride
Avg annual premium	$2,005winner	$2,695

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Kia Sorento

$533/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Kia Telluride

$573/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

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.

How we calculated this. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →