What is the best year for a Kia Sorento?

Strongly avoid 2011-2017, which logged complaint counts between 741 and 1,515 annually — tied to engine and powertrain issues across multiple generations. The 2024 Sorento (35 complaints, 10/10 safety, 7 severe) is the best year on record. The 2020-2025 window represents a substantially improved reliability profile, with 2024 as the standout pick.

How much does Kia Sorento insurance cost?

Sorento insurance averages about $2,005/year — roughly $167/month. The lowest insurance rate in the three-row class.

Is the Kia Sorento or Toyota Highlander cheaper to maintain?

The Highlander is cheaper to maintain by $44/year — $489 versus $533 for the Sorento. Both carry a reliability score of 8. Repair frequency data isn't available for the Highlander, but on cost and reliability score, the two are closely matched. The Sorento's $44 premium is modest given its improving complaint trajectory.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Kia Sorento?

Major repair probability of 11% and repair frequency of 29% are both well below the three-row class average. For 2020 and newer models, extended warranty isn't needed — the data supports self-insuring. For used buyers in the 2011-2017 range, coverage is strongly recommended given the documented complaint history.

Is the Mitsubishi Outlander expensive to maintain?

The Outlander costs $519/year to maintain — $2 below the compact segment average of $521, an essentially negligible difference. Repair frequency of 26% is below the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 8 and major repair probability of 11% are both at segment averages. Solid average-cost ownership with slightly better repair frequency.

What is the best year for a Mitsubishi Outlander?

The 2025 Outlander (13 complaints, 8/10 safety, 2 severe) is the cleanest year in the model's history. The 2023-2025 window represents the settled third generation. Avoid 2015 (231 complaints) and 2022 (206 complaints — new generation launch year). For used buying, 2023 or newer is the safest range.

How much does Mitsubishi Outlander insurance cost?

Outlander insurance averages around $2,676/year — roughly $223/month. This is notably above average for a compact SUV and the highest insurance rate in the compact class, likely reflecting parts availability and repair costs for a lower-volume brand.

Is the Mitsubishi Outlander or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $90/year cheaper — $429 versus $519 for the Outlander, about $450 in savings over five years. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. The RAV4 holds a clear maintenance cost advantage.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Mitsubishi Outlander?

Major repair probability and reliability are both at class average, and repair frequency is below it. The outsized insurance premium already adds meaningfully to total ownership cost — factor that before adding extended warranty cost. For 2023+ models, warranty coverage isn't strongly warranted.

Kia Sorento vs Mitsubishi Outlander

Two three-row SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Mitsubishi Outlander to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Mitsubishi Outlander if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Kia Sorento	Mitsubishi Outlander
Annual maintenance	$533	$519winner
5-year total cost	$2,665	$2,595winner
Reliability score	8 / 10	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	11%	11%
Cargo space	—	—
Starting price (new)	$32,390	$29,995winner
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Kia Sorento	Mitsubishi Outlander
RepairPal score	8 / 10	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	494.7	278.2winner
Years to avoid	2011, 2013, 2014	2014, 2015, 2016
Value retained · 3 yr	75.6%winner	72.4%
Value retained · 5 yr	51.6%	52.5%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	39.8%	41.5%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Kia Sorento	Mitsubishi Outlander
Engine	41.0%	14.5%winner
Electrical	7.2%winner	7.6%
ADAS	5.0%winner	10.2%
Brakes	4.8%winner	7.5%
Suspension	0.9%winner	2.7%
Steering	3.5%	2.5%winner
Fuel system	1.1%winner	2.5%
Tires/Wheels	—winner	2.0%
Glass/Windows	2.1%winner	4.2%
Airbags	5.3%winner	9.3%
Lighting	5.2%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Kia Sorento	Mitsubishi Outlander
Avg annual premium	$2,005winner	$2,676

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Kia Sorento

$533/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Mitsubishi Outlander

$519/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Sorento costs $533/year to maintain — $40 below the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 29% is well below the class average of 40%. Reliability score of 8 is above the segment average of 7, and major repair probability of 11% is well below the 13% norm. One of the strongest ownership-cost profiles in the three-row class.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →