If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, then you need a reliable comparison between Kia vs. Toyota. Especially if you’re not sure which brand is more suitable for you, and it’s becoming impossible to decide because both car manufacturing brands are great. Still, there are some differences you should be aware of and know the answer to the quite simple question: which one is better and more reliable?
Both Kia and Toyota brands have four out of five-star reliability ratings, so when it comes to reliability, one isn’t more reliable than the other. However, Kia has a higher ranking in reliability than Toyota – Kia is third out, and Toyota is eighth of 32. It’s because Kia vehicles’ reliability has improved significantly in recent years.
If you want to find out more about these two car manufacturers, keep reading! I’ve gathered some interesting information you should know.
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Kia vs. Toyota – Check Which One Is a More Reliable Car to Drive
The good and bad side is that both Kia and Toyota is that they are exceptionally reliable vehicles which makes it much harder for you to decide. In fact, both brands are highly ranked, with an average four out of five reliability rating score.
However, Kia is slightly higher ranked than Toyota – it’s in a third-place, and Toyota is eighth out of 32 car brands. This practically means that experts and customers voted more for Kia than Toyota regarding vehicle reliability.
What’s the Warranty Coverage for Each Brand?
Although Toyota has built a big part of its reputation on its vehicles’ reliability, the brand still can’t measure up to Kia’s noteworthy warranty protection. In fact, the warranty Kia is offering is industry-leading coverage. And if you want to be protected entirely and don’t have a worry on your mind, Kia could be just the car brand for you. Especially because you won’t be paying expensive repairs as Kia needs less frequent repairs than Toyota.
| Kia | Toyota | |
| Roadside Assistance Plan | 5 years/60,000 miles | 2 years/unlimited miles |
| Limited Vehicle Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Limited Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
Which of These Two Vehicle Brands Is Ultimately Better?
Although Kia seems to be a better car manufacturer based on the reliability rating, you need to know that Toyota vehicles will still be more affordable to repair. Also, there are some similarities and differences you should definitely check out before purchasing your next four-wheeler.
So, check some most basic similarities and differences between these two car manufacturers and decide which one will suit you better. I’ve compared the best sellers from both brands, Toyota Highlander and Kia Sorento:
| Toyota Highlander | Kia Sorento |
| Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer | South Korean multinational automobile manufacturer |
| Will last practically forever with regular maintenance | Maintained Kia cars have 13 years life span on the average |
| Starting price of the least expensive Toyota car is around $35,000 | Starting price of the least expensive Kia car is about $29,000 |
Know the Technology and Safety Features of Kia and Toyota
Newer vehicles of Kia and Toyota brands offer the most common connectivity features, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And those are delivered through a touchscreen interface. However, Kia stands out for its additional features that many drivers could find quite handy on the roads:
- Harman Kardon premium audio,
- 12.3-in. 1080p touchscreen display,
- Lexison premium audio,
- Voice-command navigation,
- UVO link remote connectivity,
- Bose premium sound system,
- Multi-device Bluetooth connectivity,
- Google Assistant,
- Amazon Alexa,
- Wireless device charging,
- Find my car,
- Remote door lock/unlock,
- Remote climate control.
When it comes to the safety features in your new vehicle, know that both brands are known worldwide for their remarkable, intelligent safety features. This indeed has to be on your mind because it greatly impacts you and everyone around you. Below you can check how both brands promote safety, efficiency, and convenience on the road for drivers and passengers.
| Toyota | Kia |
| Lane tracing assist | Blind-spot collision avoidance assist |
| Toyota Safety Sense | Kia Drive Wise |
| Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection | Remote smart parking assist |
| Road sign assist | Forward collision-avoidance assist |
| Dynamic radar cruise control | Smart cruise control |
| Automatic high beams | Lane-keeping assist |
| Lane departures alert | Surround view monitor |
| Rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist | |
| Reverse parking collision-avoidance assist |
Explore the Awards Two Brands Have
No matter if you’re an expert or not, you surely should be aware of the fact that your potential car brand has won some of the most prestigious awards there are in the vehicle world, right? The good news is that both Kia and Toyota have got awards for car safety, which is undoubtedly what matters the most on the roads.
However, Kia has outperformed Toyota in the Top Safety Pick+ tests – Kia with 2020 Soul, 2020 Sorento, 2020 Stinger, 2020 Optima, 2020 Forte, 2019 Niro Plug-in Hybrid, 2019 Niro; Toyota with 2020 RAV4, 2020 Camry and 2020 Avalon. It’s a test that requires vehicles to pass everything and has Superior or Advanced rating prevention for crashing. Having that in mind, here is some other recognition Kia has earned from automotive organizations and publications:
- MotorTrend SUV of the Year 2020 with 2020 Telluride,
- Edmunds Best Electric Vehicle with 2019 Niro EV,
- J. D. Power Best Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle with 2019 Soul,
- KBB Best New Model with 2020 Telluride,
- U.S. News, and World Report Best 3-row SUV for the Money with 2019 Sorento.
How to Choose the Most Suitable Car For Your Needs?
Yes, taking all the features, the Kia brand is better than Toyota. But, in the end, everything depends on your personality and what you’re really looking for. The Korean brand is just the one if you care about more power, modern style, and more luxurious features. The new era for this brand has put it high in the very competitive industry, and it’s definitely worth checking it out.
