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 Subaru Outback expensive to maintain?

The Outback costs $607/year to maintain — $86 above the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 37% is above the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 7 is below the class average of 8. Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% norm. Above-average cost and repair profile across all metrics.

What is the best year for a Subaru Outback?

The 2023 Outback is the strongest used pick — 84 complaints, 10/10 NHTSA safety score, 9 severe issues. Strongly avoid 2018-2020, which generated 799, 1,025, and 889 complaints respectively, driven by widespread oil consumption and EyeSight system issues. The 2021-2022 range remained elevated. 2023 marks the clear turning point.

How much does Subaru Outback insurance cost?

Outback insurance averages about $1,964/year — roughly $164/month. One of the lower insurance rates in the compact class despite above-average maintenance costs.

Is the Subaru Outback or Honda Passport cheaper to maintain?

The Honda Passport is $86/year cheaper — $521 versus $607 for the Outback. The Passport also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7) and lower repair frequency (28% vs. 37%). The Outback's differentiators are its standard AWD and wagon body style, which are meaningful depending on use case.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Subaru Outback?

The 2018-2020 generation's documented complaint history makes extended warranty strongly recommended for those model years. Major repair probability of 12% and repair frequency of 37% are both above compact class averages. For 2023 and newer, the profile improves considerably — but the Outback's overall cost premium makes a repair fund or warranty worth planning for.

Kia Sorento vs Subaru Outback

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 Subaru Outback if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Kia Sorento	Subaru Outback
Annual maintenance	$533winner	$607
5-year total cost	$2,665winner	$3,035
Reliability score	8 / 10winner	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	11%winner	12%
Cargo space	—	—
Starting price (new)	$32,390winner	$34,995
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Kia Sorento	Subaru Outback
RepairPal score	8 / 10winner	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	494.7	287.6winner
Years to avoid	2011, 2013, 2014	2018, 2019, 2020
Value retained · 3 yr	75.6%	79.2%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	51.6%	61.4%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	39.8%	48.8%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Kia Sorento	Subaru Outback
Engine	41.0%	8.1%winner
Electrical	7.2%winner	18.7%
ADAS	5.0%winner	7.0%
Brakes	4.8%	4.0%winner
Suspension	0.9%	—winner
Steering	3.5%winner	3.6%
Fuel system	1.1%winner	1.3%
Tires/Wheels	—winner	1.0%
Glass/Windows	2.1%winner	26.3%
Airbags	5.3%winner	5.4%
Lighting	5.2%	3.3%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?

	Kia Sorento	Subaru Outback
Avg annual premium	$2,005	$1,964winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Kia Sorento

$533/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Subaru Outback

$607/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. 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 →