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 safety. Toyota has the advantage in the areas of depreciation, horsepower, towing capacity, overall quality, reliability, 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 19 out of 23 vehicle comparisons. Kia also has a lower used vehicle starting price in 16 out of 23 comparisons. Toyota models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 23 out of 23 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 23 model comparisons, with Kia offering more horsepower in 9 comparisons. Kia offers higher MPG for its vehicles in their base trim in 3 out of 5 comparisons. Toyota offers a longer driving range in 1 out of 1 model comparisons. Toyota offers a greater towing capacity in 9 out of 17 comparisons. Kia offers greater towing capacity in 7 out of 17 comparisons, and in 1 comparisons Kia and Toyota have the same towing capacity.

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 7 out of 7 model comparisons. In terms of reliability ratings, Toyota has the advantage in 6 out of 7 comparisons. Kia has better safety ratings in 8 out of 19 comparisons while Toyota has better safety ratings in 4 out of 19 comparisons. Kia and Toyota tie for safety in 7 comparisons. Toyota shows higher ratings for retained value in 23 out of 23 comparisons.

Best Car Rankings: Toyota has better car rankings in 14 categories: Toyota Land Cruiser 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 4Runner in Best Midsize SUVs, Toyota Sienna in Best Minivans, Toyota Yaris in Best Small Cars, Toyota RAV4 in Best Small SUVs, Toyota Yaris in Best Subcompact Cars, and Toyota Land Cruiser in Best SUVs with 3 Rows.

Most Reliable Car Rankings: Toyota has better car rankings in 9 categories: Toyota Highlander 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 Optima in Safest Midsize Cars, Kia Telluride in Safest Midsize SUVs, and Kia Telluride in Safest SUVs with 3 Rows. Toyota has better car rankings in 5 categories: Toyota bZ4X in Safest Electric SUVs, Toyota Prius (hatchback) in Safest Hybrid Cars, Toyota Highlander Hybrid in Safest Hybrid SUVs, Toyota Sienna in Safest Minivans, and Toyota Yaris in Safest Small Cars.

Best Cars for the Money Rankings: 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 RAV4 in Best SUVs with 3 Rows for the Money.

Available Body Styles: Kia offers 13 SUVs, 1 wagon, 4 sedans, 1 hatchback, and 1 minivan. In comparison, Toyota offers 14 SUVs, 7 sedans, 2 coupes, 4 hatchbacks, and 1 minivan.

Drivetrain Options: Kia offers 11 gasoline vehicles, 3 hybrids, 3 plug-in hybrids, and 3 electric vehicles. Toyota offers 13 gasoline vehicles, 15 hybrids, 2 plug-in hybrids, 1 electric vehicle, and 1 hydrogen vehicle.

Kia offers 12 all-wheel-drive models, 15 front-wheel-drive models, and 3 rear-wheel-drive models. Toyota offers 17 all-wheel-drive models, 15 front-wheel-drive models, and 3 rear-wheel-drive models.