Some consumers prefer to trade in their cars within the first year or two of ownership. To avoid costly repairs and maintenance that usually occurs at higher mileage, it makes sense to do so. But for most car buyers, the hope is that the new vehicle will last well into the future, beyond the five-year and 100,000-mile mark. 

And there are a few automaker brands that have the reputation of lasting a lot longer than the average vehicle lifespan. You might already have an idea that brands like Subaru and Toyota make cars you can drive for eons. But what about Kia? How many miles can you expect a new Kia to run before eventually retiring?

How Kia improved its reputation over the years

When Kia entered the U.S. market some 20 years ago, its cars weren’t winning any reliability awards. The lackluster welcome in some circles came in part because of the basic models the company introduced in the states, as well as the super-low pricing. Cheap price tags might have been misconstrued as cheap cars. 

But over the years, the company continued to improve and is changing the opinions of American car buyers and critics alike. Motor1.com points out the Korean automaker has not only improved its reliability, but it also backs its vehicles with one of the industry’s best new car warranties. 

RepairPal.com, which evaluates vehicles based on average consumer spending on repairs and maintenance, scores the company with a 4.0 reliability rating out of a possible five. Out of 32 different auto brands, Kia comes in third in overall reliability alone.

The latest in Kia reliability

The Drive weighs in on the Kia reliability conversation and suggests there’s nothing wrong with Kia cars at all. In fact, the critics say some of the best and longest-lasting vehicles on the road today bear the Kia brand.

The reviews recognize that while some of the earlier models were problematic, the company has apparently remained dedicated to improving its engineering and design efforts.

With the wild popularity and success of vehicles like the Telluride and Soul, it’s easy to see how Kia is closing the reliability gap on the likes of even Toyota. When newer models are running well beyond the 200,000-mile mark, the proof is in the mileage pudding.

How many miles will your Kia last?

It’s impossible to predict how each individual Kia model will perform over the life of ownership. Vehicles will vary, as will driving conditions and ownership care.

But in recent years, Kia is finding itself on a few lists of cars lasting longer than 250,000 miles. You can expect a new Kia you buy today to compete with the longevity of both Honda and Toyota. And again, you’ll have the added peace of mind with the comprehensive warranty.

What you can do to improve vehicle reliability

Buying a new car means you’re putting your trust in the automaker for initial reliability within those first few years of ownership. But how long your vehicle lasts will ultimately depend on your efforts as an owner.

Keeping up with preventative care maintenance, including oil changes and tire rotations, will add life to your car. Taking care of necessary repairs in a timely manner will also prevent small problems from becoming big and expensive repair problems.

Your driving habits will play a significant part in the overall health of your vehicle, too. Hard braking, pushing the limits on your gauges, and waiting too long between service visits can all increase the wear and tear on any vehicle.

If you’re the kind of vehicle owner who likes to buy new and drive the wheels off of the vehicle for the next 10 years, don’t overlook Kia. When reliability matters, the Korean automaker is competing well with some of the best on the road.