What is the best year for a Kia Sportage?

The 2022 Sportage (42 complaints, 10/10 NHTSA safety, 6 severe) is the standout used pick — the mature end of the fourth generation before the 2023 redesign. The new fifth-generation launch in 2023 had 177 complaints but settled quickly to 62 in 2024 and 46 in 2025. Avoid 2012-2013 and 2017, which saw complaint spikes tied to the Theta II engine recall era.

How much does Kia Sportage insurance cost?

Sportage insurance averages around $1,997/year, or about $166/month.

Is the Kia Sportage or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $33/year cheaper — $429 versus $462 for the Sportage. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. The Sportage's repair frequency of 19% is significantly lower than the RAV4's 26%, meaning fewer unscheduled shop visits despite the slightly higher annual maintenance figure.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Kia Sportage?

Major repair probability of 11% at the class average, repair frequency well below it. Low-risk ownership. Extended warranty isn't strongly warranted for 2021+ models. For 2012-2013 and 2017 used models with documented engine recall history, coverage is worth taking seriously.

Is the Nissan Rogue expensive to maintain?

The Rogue averages $467/year in maintenance — $54 below the compact segment average of $521. But repair frequency of 33% is slightly above the class average of 30%, and major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% norm. Lower cost per service visit, but slightly more frequent unscheduled visits than the class average.

What is the best year for a Nissan Rogue?

The Rogue's complaint history has been persistently elevated. The 2020 model (147 complaints) stands out as the cleanest year of the second generation. The third-generation launch in 2023 brought 630 complaints before settling to 162 in 2024 and 158 in 2025. Avoid 2013-2018, which consistently logged 430-612 complaints per year. For the current generation, 2024 or 2025 is the best used pick.

How much does Nissan Rogue insurance cost?

Rogue insurance averages around $1,984/year — about $165/month. Competitive for the compact class.

Is the Nissan Rogue or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $38/year cheaper — $429 versus $467 for the Rogue — and has a lower repair frequency (26% vs. 33%). Both carry the same reliability score. The RAV4 holds a moderate edge on total ownership cost.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Nissan Rogue?

The Rogue's persistently elevated complaint history across 2013-2018 and a major repair probability slightly above the class average make extended warranty worth considering for used models from that period. For 2024 and newer, risk is more moderate — though the historical reliability track record warrants more caution than class leaders like the CR-V or RAV4.

Kia Sportage vs Nissan Rogue

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Kia Sportage to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Nissan Rogue if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Kia Sportage	Nissan Rogue
Annual maintenance	$462winner	$467
5-year total cost	$2,310winner	$2,335
Reliability score	8 / 10	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	11%winner	12%
Cargo space	73.7 cu ft	74.1 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$30,900	$30,800winner
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Kia Sportage	Nissan Rogue
RepairPal score	8 / 10	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	185.7	156.8winner
Years to avoid	2010, 2012, 2013	2017, 2018, 2019
Value retained · 3 yr	75.7%winner	71.7%
Value retained · 5 yr	56.8%winner	55.1%
Value retained · 7 yr	45%	45%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Kia Sportage	Nissan Rogue
Engine	55.6%	16.2%winner
Electrical	6.1%winner	7.7%
ADAS	5.8%winner	16.2%
Brakes	8.5%	6.4%winner
Steering	1.5%winner	1.8%
Fuel system	1.1%winner	3.4%
Tires/Wheels	0.5%winner	1.0%
Glass/Windows	2.7%winner	4.0%
Airbags	2.5%winner	8.9%
Lighting	1.0%	—winner
Seatbelt	—winner	1.3%

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 Sportage	Nissan Rogue
Avg annual premium	$1,997	$1,984winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Kia Sportage

$462/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Nissan Rogue

$467/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Sportage averages $462/year in maintenance — $59 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 19% is well below the class average of 30% — owners visit for unscheduled repairs far less often than most rivals. Major repair probability of 11% is at the class average. Low cost and low visit frequency make it a strong ownership value.

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 →