Top 8 Kia SUVs Rated by JD Power

Kia, a South Korean automobile manufacturer that was once barely noticed in the United States, has achieved one of the most remarkable comebacks in history. Once a target of ridicule (such as the "Kia Boyz" meme from a few years back), Kia is now a serious competitor among brands like Hyundai and Mazda. It's a significant change from its past, when Kias were considered cars for those who couldn't afford better options, rapidly losing value and frequently experiencing mechanical issues. Since then, the company has made substantial investments in self-improvement, leading to a current range of vehicles that can stand up against other top Asian brands.

The latest Kia design style is appreciated by the automotive community, the pricing is quite fair, and the vehicles are now significantly more dependable than in the past. Furthermore, althoughKia is a well-known automobile brand that experiences significant depreciation.(which applies to all car brands that prioritize value), it now aligns with the broader market. As of early 2026,Kia has a variety of cars available in the United States., which features hybrid variants of current models; three of these are sedans, while the remaining are crossovers, SUVs, or MPVs. This trend aligns with the general pattern of SUVs being more popular than ever in the U.S., but which of Kia's SUVs are truly worth considering? Well, according toJ.D. Power,the reliable review authority in the industry, these are the eight.

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2025 EV9 – 73/100

The name of this sport utility vehicle reveals that it is an all-electric model, with the "9" indicating its size — it is the biggest in the "EV" series. Overall J.D. Powera rating of 73 out of 100, it doesn't perform too badly, and keep in mind — this is the lowest rating on the list. The 2024 version received a marginally better score (76 out of 100), but the latest model still manages well. The base trim features one electric motor that provides 215 hp, and the EV9 can accommodate either six or seven passengers, depending on the setup.

Regarding pricing, the new models have a starting MSRP of $54,900 in early 2026, though this does not include a destination fee of $1,495, additional options, or potential dealer markups. However, for those open to purchasing a used vehicle, 2024 models with between 30,000 and 40,000 miles are currently available for around $40,000, which may present a good value. Standard features on the 2025 EV9 consist of heated and foldable mirrors, a power tailgate, and in-vehicle Wi-Fi, along with other amenities. The driver assistance and safety package is also notable, offering Highway Driving Assist, blind spot detection, and AI-powered cruise control as standard. Another significant aspect is charging — the EV9 can charge from 10% to 100% in 6 hours and 45 minutes using a Level 2 240V charger.

2025 Niro – 75/100

For the year 2025, the Kia Niro offers three variants: a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and an all-electric version, with starting MSRP prices of $27,390, $34,490, and $39,600, respectively. These prices do not include a $1,445 delivery fee that applies to all three models. The base gasoline engine in the Niro is a 1.6-liter inline-four, which is supported by a hybrid system, resulting in a combined output of 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The plug-in hybrid version increases these figures, primarily due to a more powerful electric motor, leading to a total power output of 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque.

As was the case a few years back, the EV Niro remains the strongest among the three, featuring 201 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque, with most of it accessible from nearly zero rpm, similar to other electric vehicles. The Niro can accommodate up to five passengers across two seating rows, and the hybrid version provides 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row in place. The other two models are expected to offer comparable figures, as they are not significantly different in size or design. All 2025 Niro models include LATCH systems for securing car seats in the second row. J.D. Power has awarded the 2025 Kia Niro anoverall score of 75out of 100, although the quality and driving experience ratings are somewhat lower, at 74 and 73 respectively.

2025 Sorento – 76/100

The Sorento is a midsize SUV introduced by Kia in 2002, and it has maintained solid sales performance over the years. The 2025 version features a76 J.D. Power ratingOut of 100 total, it's worth noting that its resale value is considered "excellent," scoring 84 out of 100. The Sorento can accommodate up to seven passengers and features three rows of seating. It is on the larger end of its class, with an 110.8-inch wheelbase and a total length of 189.6 inches.

The vehicle measures 74.8 inches in width and 66.7 inches in height, with a total weight of 3,814 pounds. The base models come equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are also available. The internal combustion engine produces 191 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque.

On the base LX model, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard features, with the starting MSRP for this trim at $31,990. Adding a destination fee of $1,445 brings the total cost for a new Kia Sorento to $33,435 in early 2026. The hybrid version starts at $38,890, while the PHEV Sorento is priced at $48,290, both figures excluding the destination charge.

2024 EV6 – 78/100

Many individuals might assume that the EV6 is just a smaller version of the EV9, but this is completely inaccurate. While the EV9 is a large, rugged SUV, the EV6 is actually a sleek, stylish car that resembles a sedan. We use "sedan-like" because we're uncertain about its exact classification. It isn't a standard sedan or hatchback, but rather a blend of both. The base model features a single electric motor that delivers at least 167 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 8.3 seconds. The cost is also relatively reasonable, with a starting MSRP of $42,900 for 2025 models in early 2026, plus a destination freight fee of $1,545.

Dealer markups and optional features would be additional, with the quoted price applying to the base Light RWD trim. The EV6 includes driver assist features such as Blind-Spot Collision Detection, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane keep assist, and cruise control, along with 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space. All these aspects contribute to the EV6 receiving strong ratings in J.D. Power's reviews, placing it relatively high.final rating of 78 out of 100, a quality and reliability rating of 76 out of 100, and an excellent driving experience score of 89 out of 100. It should be noted that, as of the time of this writing, J.D. Power had not yet published data for the 2025 Kia EV6, so we relied on the 2024 ratings instead.

2025 Kia Soul – 81/100

Next on the list is one of Kia's more controversial models, the 2025 Kia Soul, which also marks the last year this vehicle will be produced.Soul is no longer available.It is the smallest SUV available from Kia, featuring a wheelbase of 102.4 inches, a width of 70.9 inches, a height of 63.0 inches, and an overall length of only 165.2 inches. Rear legroom measures 38.8 inches, while rear headroom is 39.5 inches, and cargo capacity stands at a minimal 24.2 cubic feet.

The Kia Soul, known for itsJ.D. Power score of 81 out of 100, was among the (apparently) rare and scattered fewcars that continued to feature tangible knobs and switchesin contrast to the digitization of everything. The driver assistance features were effective, including lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, high beam assist, and driver attention alerts as standard in 2025. The engine in the top model year was a 2.0-liter inline-four that was paired with a CVT transmission.

This configuration delivered 147 horsepower at 6,200 rpm, paired with 132 lb-ft of torque starting at a reasonable 4,500 rpm. Although the horsepower number may appear modest for an SUV, the Soul's weight was only 2,888 pounds — which is less than a Mazda3 sedan — so it wouldn't have felt significantly underpowered. The MSRP for the 2025 model began at $20,490 for the base LX trim, with an additional $1,495 destination charge.

2025 Kia Sportage – 81 out of 100

Many people aren't aware, but the Kia Sportage holds a significant legacy for Kia. One of its most notable past accomplishments is that it was the first passenger SUV to complete both the challenging Paris-Dakar Rally and the Baja 1000 in 1993. After that, it solidified its place in the lineup, becoming one ofthe top-performing Kia vehicles in historyIn 2025, the Sportage, similar to the Sorento, is available as a gasoline-only option, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid, with starting MSRP prices of $28,790, $30,490, and $40,490, respectively.

There is also a destination fee of $1,395 that buyers should consider when purchasing a new Sportage. The gasoline version of the Sportage is equipped with a 2.5-liter inline-four engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, delivering power to the wheels through an eight-speed transmission. This SUV can accommodate up to five passengers across two rows of seating and has a substantial weight of 3,434 pounds. It offers a comfortable and roomy interior, with 41.3 inches of legroom and 39.4 inches of headroom for rear passengers. The cargo area provides a generous 39.6 cubic feet of space. J.D. Power awarded the 2025 Sportage a quality and reliability score of 84 out of 100, a driving experience score of 80 out of 100, and a resale value score of 85 out of 100 — all of which combine fora total rating of 81 out of 100.

2025 Kia Seltos – 81 out of 100

The Seltos is a crossover SUV positioned higher than the Kia Soul but lower than the Kia Sportage, both in terms of model ranking and cost. It starts with a base MSRP of $24,690 for the entry-level LX trim, and goes up to $28,390 for the highest EX trim. The base trim features a 2.0-liter inline-four engine producing 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque paired with a CVT transmission. It's important to note that the Seltos is only offered as a gasoline vehicle. It provides seating for five passengers across two rows and measures 70.9 inches in width with a height of 63.6 inches.

The Seltos has a wheelbase of 103.5 inches, a ground clearance of 7.3 inches, and a length of 172.6 inches, weighing 2,937 pounds. The Seltos comes with standard features such as automatic lighting control, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and rear air conditioning vents, along with an advanced set of driver assistance technologies, including driver alert monitoring, active lane-keeping assist, and additional safety features.J.D. Power has awarded the 2025 Seltos an overall rating of 81scores out of 100, and the compact SUV also performs well in certain categories. For example, it has a driving experience score of 79, a quality and reliability score of 86, and a resale value rating of 82 — all measured on a scale of 100. Overall, it's a very impressive little vehicle that exceeds expectations within one of the most competitive SUV price ranges in the United States.

2025 Telluride – 83/100

Next on the list, we have thefull-size Kia Telluride, a massive vehicle that is 78.3 inches wide, 68.9 inches high, has a wheelbase of 114.2 inches, and is 196.9 inches in length overall. It can accommodate up to eight passengers in three rows of seats and, as of now, is only offered with a gasoline engine.

That being said, Kia's website does feature a section for an "upcoming" hybrid version of the Telluride, although specific launch or release dates are not available at this time. For now, the Telluride's standard powertrain is a 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed transmission, delivering 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. Standard features on the top-tier Kia Telluride include remote-folding seats, dual-zone climate control, remote start, trailer stability assist, and additional amenities.

There are 10 different trims available for the 2025 model year, beginning with the base LX, which has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $36,390, plus a $1,545 delivery charge that will be added before the vehicle is delivered.J.D. Power has awarded the Kia Telluride a total score of 83.Out of a possible 100 points, it ranks as the top-rated Kia SUV on its list, at least through early 2026. It has scores of 89, 83, and 85 for resale value, driving experience, and quality and reliability, respectively.

Methodology

We started with the list of Kia SUVs published by J.D. Power, focusing on the most recent year the ratings were available. Often, the ratings for 2026 models were carried over from 2025, so we checked each vehicle's page on the J.D. Power website to confirm them manually. We also highlighted the specific factors that contributed to the J.D. Power score, such as driving experience, resale value, and quality and reliability, when these were relevant.

If 2025 data was unavailable or not tested, we used the most recent figure available prior to that, which was 2024 in every instance. Once our initial list was prepared, we reviewed each car thoroughly and obtained all additional information directly from Kia America and the Kia Newsroom. Readers should be aware that the engine, torque, and horsepower specifications listed are for the base trim level unless otherwise stated.

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