Kia vs. Toyota

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of cars from Kia and Toyota contrasts the two brands across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which one is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of vehicle models, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and projected lifetime recalls based on recall history. This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which brand represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both Kia and Toyota cars.

When comparing the Kia brand to the Toyota brand, Kia has the advantage in the areas of new car pricing, used car pricing and towing capacity. Toyota has the advantage in the areas of depreciation, horsepower, fuel efficiency, overall quality, reliability, safety, retained value, vehicle rankings and variety of models offered.

Kia versus Toyota: Pricing and Value: Analyzing Kia versus Toyota pricing we see a lower new vehicle starting price for Kia in 16 out of 21 vehicle comparisons. Kia also has a lower used vehicle starting price in 14 out of 20 comparisons. Toyota models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 21 out of 21 comparisons.

Kia versus Toyota: Horsepower, Fuel Efficiency and Towing Capacity: Toyota vehicles offer higher maximum horsepower numbers in their base trim in 14 out of 21 model comparisons, with Kia offering more horsepower in 7 comparisons. Toyota offers higher MPG for its vehicles in their base trim in 3 out of 4 comparisons. Toyota offers a longer driving range in 1 out of 1 model comparisons. Kia offers a greater towing capacity in 10 out of 16 comparisons.

Kia versus Toyota: Quality, Reliability, Safety, and Value Retention Ratings: A comparison of Kia versus Toyota overall quality ratings shows Toyota with higher quality ratings in 5 out of 5 model comparisons. In terms of reliability ratings, Toyota has the advantage in 5 out of 5 comparisons. Toyota has better safety ratings in 8 out of 18 comparisons while Kia has better safety ratings in 6 out of 18 comparisons. Kia and Toyota tie for safety in 4 comparisons. Toyota shows higher ratings for retained value in 21 out of 21 comparisons.

Best Car Rankings: Kia has the better car ranking in 1 category: Rio 5-Door in Best Subcompact Cars. Toyota has better car rankings in 13 categories: Toyota RAV4 in Best 5-seater SUVs, Toyota Sequoia in Best 7-Seater SUVs, Toyota Corolla in Best Compact Cars, Toyota RAV4 in Best Crossover SUVs, Toyota Prius (hatchback) in Best Hybrid Cars, Toyota Camry (hybrid) in Best Hybrid Midsize Cars, Toyota Avalon in Best Large Cars, Toyota Camry in Best Midsize Cars, Toyota Highlander in Best Midsize SUVs, Toyota Sienna in Best Minivans, Toyota Corolla in Best Small Cars, Toyota RAV4 in Best Small SUVs, and Toyota Land Cruiser in Best SUVs with 3 Rows.

Most Reliable Car Rankings: Toyota has better car rankings in 9 categories: Toyota RAV4 in Most Reliable Crossover SUVs, Toyota Prius (hatchback) in Most Reliable Hybrid Cars, Toyota Avalon in Most Reliable Large Cars, Toyota Camry in Most Reliable Midsize Cars, Toyota 4Runner in Most Reliable Midsize SUVs, Toyota Sienna in Most Reliable Minivans, Toyota Corolla in Most Reliable Small Cars, Toyota RAV4 in Most Reliable Small SUVs, and Toyota Land Cruiser in Most Reliable SUVs with 3 Rows.

Safest Car Rankings: Kia has better car rankings in 4 categories: Kia Telluride in Safest Crossover SUVs, Kia EV9 in Safest Electric SUVs, Kia Telluride in Safest Midsize SUVs, and Kia Telluride in Safest SUVs with 3 Rows. Toyota has better car rankings in 5 categories: Toyota Prius (hatchback) in Safest Hybrid Cars, Toyota Venza (hybrid) in Safest Hybrid SUVs, Toyota Camry in Safest Midsize Cars, Toyota Sienna in Safest Minivans, and Toyota Corolla Hatchback in Safest Small Cars.

Best Cars for the Money Rankings: Kia has the better car ranking in 1 category: Forte in Best Small Cars for the Money. Toyota has better car rankings in 4 categories: Toyota RAV4 in Best Crossover SUVs for the Money, Toyota 4Runner in Best Midsize SUVs for the Money, Toyota RAV4 in Best Small SUVs for the Money, and Toyota Highlander in Best SUVs with 3 Rows for the Money.

Available Body Styles: Kia offers 13 SUVs, 1 wagon, 3 sedans, and 2 minivans. In comparison, Toyota offers 17 SUVs, 7 sedans, 2 coupes, 5 hatchbacks, and 1 minivan.

Drivetrain Options: Kia offers 9 gasoline vehicles, 4 hybrids, 3 plug-in hybrids, and 3 electric vehicles. Toyota offers 13 gasoline vehicles, 17 hybrids, 4 plug-in hybrids, 1 electric vehicle, and 1 hydrogen vehicle.

Kia offers 11 all-wheel-drive models, 15 front-wheel-drive models, and 2 rear-wheel-drive models. Toyota offers 20 all-wheel-drive models, 15 front-wheel-drive models, and 3 rear-wheel-drive models.