Used Kia buying guide
About Kia
Established in the 1940s, Kia has evolved from a humble manufacturer of bicycles and motorcycles into a global automotive brand known for its innovative designs and diverse vehicle options. Emerging into the US market in the early 1990s with the Sephia sedan and Sportage, Kia has since expanded its lineup to include compact cars, crossovers, midsize SUVs, performance cars, hybrids, and fully electric vehicles. Models such as the Telluride are praised for their spacious three-row interiors and upscale design, while the hybrid, PHEV, and EV versions of the Niro have boosted the brand’s popularity. Kia vehicles generally offer intuitive infotainment technology and contemporary styling, with one of the strongest warranty offerings in the industry.
What CarMax customers like
Fuel Economy
Ride and Handling
Interior Space
What CarMax customers don’t like
Cabin Noise
Technology and Entertainment
Power
Kia FAQs
Yes, Kia is a good choice for a used car. According to RepairPal, Kia ranks third out of 32 car brands for reliability. It scores well for lower ownership costs, less frequent repairs, and reasonable average repair costs compared to other vehicle brands.
When shopping for a used Kia, look for models with less than 100,000 miles and a clean vehicle history report. With regular maintenance, many modern Kias can surpass 200,000 miles. For more details, refer to this article on mileage vs. maintenance.
Kia does not offer a seven-year warranty on used vehicles. Kia’s original 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty becomes a shorter five-year/60,000-mile warranty when transferred to a second owner. Other warranty coverages — such as limited basic, anti-perforation, and roadside assistance — transfer within their original five-year terms.
Kia currently offers around a dozen models, including SUVs like the Telluride, Seltos, Sportage, and Sorento; passenger cars such as the Forte, K4, and K5; the Carnival minivan; electrified options like the Niro hybrid/PHEV/EV; and pure-electric vehicles, including the EV6 and EV9 SUVs.
Kia discontinued the Rio subcompact sedan and Stinger performance sedan in the US after the 2023 model year and the Forte compact sedan after the 2024 model year. This reflects Kia's shift toward SUVs and electric vehicles.
1. Kia Forte
CarMax owner rating
Pros
Available turbocharged engine
Standard smartphone integration
High fuel economy
Cons
Limited rear legroom
Firm ride
Vague steering
2. Kia Sedona
CarMax owner rating
Pros
SUV-like styling in a minivan
Quiet cabin out on the highway
Standard V6 power
Cons
Not quite as large as other minivans
Small standard touchscreen
Some features you might want are optional
Compare Used Kia Models
Kia focuses on passenger comfort in the 2026 K4 and K5. The 2026 K4 is available in hatchback and sedan body styles, each with spacious cabins and a smooth driving experience. The K4 base engine is a 147-hp 2.0L, ideal for urban commutes and weekend coffee runs. Staying connected is easy; the K4 has wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ functionality as standard.
The midsize Kia K5 is a road trip-ready sedan with seating for five passengers. It's got great engine options, including a sports-tuned GT version, along with good visibility and useful driver-assistance features. Beyond its swooping fastback roofline, your crew gets great legroom in both rows and easy-to-access child seat fixtures. W
ant to compare more hatchbacks and sedans? Check out our comparison tool.
These all-electric Kia SUVs offer lots of battery, motor, and trim options, alongside consistent driver enjoyment and plenty of passenger comforts. The five-seat 2025 Kia EV6 is the sportier of the two. Its lineup includes a high-performance 601-hp GT model equipped with a launch mode function for some seriously thrilling acceleration. For a compact crossover, the EV6 feels spacious across both rows, though the sleek roofline may impact taller second-row passengers. The 2025 Light base trim EV6 with the 63 kWh battery achieves an estimated 237 miles of range when fully charged.
The 2025 EV9, on the other hand, has a bigger driveway presence. Seating seven passengers across three well-proportioned rows, this high-tech family hauler boasts 20.2 cu-ft of cargo space behind the third row and can tow an estimated 5,000 lbs when properly equipped.
The EV9 Light base trim, with the 76 kWh battery, has an EPA-estimated range of 230 miles when fully charged.Ready to compare more electric vehicles? Check out our comparison tool.
If practicality is a priority, you can’t go wrong with the 2026 Kia Sportage or Sorento. That said, some factors set them apart from one another. For urban driving and midsize capacity, the five-seat Sportage has an adequate 187-hp, 2.5L base engine.
The Sportage delivers a smooth ride with spacious cabin dimensions and plenty of cargo space for your crew’s essential items. While the Kia Sorento can seat up to seven across three rows, at 189 inches in length, it's still considered to be a midsize SUV. If you're focused on reliability, Kia tends to do well according to RepairPal® ratings — find more in our ranking of the most reliable SUVs.
If flexibility and agility matter equally, pick the Sorento for its versatile cabin configuration capabilities. The Sorento shares the same engine as the Sportage, but also offers hybrid powertrain options in its 2026 lineup, as well as trim levels equipped for off-road conditions. Ready to compare them side by side?
For families and groups traveling together, space is key, which makes the 2025 Kia Telluride and Sorento both worthy of consideration. The subtle differences between them allow you to tailor your purchase to your lifestyle. The Telluride is a full-size three-row SUV with generous dimensions, a powerful V6 engine, and the chops for hauling camping and sports equipment. With 21.0 cu-ft of fixed cargo space, seating for up to eight, and an estimated towing capacity of up to 5,500 lbs when properly equipped, this is a useful SUV with plenty of standard passenger comforts.
The Kia Sorento is considered a midsize SUV offering, but it still offers three rows for up to seven occupants, and an estimated towing capacity of up to 4,500 lbs when properly equipped.1 The spacious interior has lots of user-friendly tech, including wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ functionality as standard, something the 2025 Telluride doesn’t offer.
Need to know more about the features on offer? Check out our comparison tool.
For groups that travel together, the 2025 Kia Carnival and Kia Telluride are worth consideration. Kia prioritizes comfort and convenience features as standard, so the body style differences could be the deciding factor. The Kia Carnival is practicality at its finest. This eight-seat minivan can take your kids all the way from little league through to senior year. Expect generous leg room, easy-in-easy-out sliding rear doors, flexible configuration options, and 40.2 cu-ft of fixed cargo space. For SUV style, the Telluride delivers on functionality and form. This is a full-size model, so expect superb visibility and seating for up to eight across three rows. Optional second-row captain's chairs are available on some trims, too. There's less cargo space than the Carnival, at just 21 cu-ft, but the Telluride’s potent V6 engine can to an estimated 5,000 lbs when properly equipped.
Still not sure which will be best for you? Compare them in detail using our comparison tool.
Ready to find your used Kia?
RepairPal reliability ratings
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features. RepairPal Reliability Ratings are provided by RepairPal and CarMax is not responsible for their accuracy. These ratings are based on RepairPal Reliability data as of August 2023. Learn more about RepairPal reliability ratings.
Unless otherwise noted, information related to these featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities. We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are provided by RepairPal and CarMax is not responsible for their accuracy. These ratings are based on RepairPal Reliability data as of 3/18/2025. Learn more at repairpal.com/reliability.
***
Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
Unless otherwise noted, information related to featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities. By clicking on any video links, you will be taken to a third-party site maintained by YouTube, Inc.
We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing.