Last updated: 2026-07-26
KIA Sorento vs Toyota Venza: Reliability Compared
KIA Sorento
Toyota Venza
Choosing between the KIA Sorento and the Toyota Venza? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota Venza currently leads with an average score of 80/100 compared to 71/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the KIA Sorento and Toyota Venza Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Venza is more reliable than the KIA Sorento, scoring 80/100 vs 71/100.
The Toyota Venza demonstrates superior reliability with an impressive average reliability score of 91/100 compared to the Kia Sorento's 81/100. The Venza also has significantly fewer recalls (5 over 4 years) and a lower owner complaint rate of 0.2 per 10,000 sold, compared to the Sorento's 7.4 per 10,000. Additionally, the Venza's estimated annual repair cost is lower at $444, compared to the Sorento's $533. These factors suggest the Venza is the more reliable choice, with fewer issues and lower long-term costs.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Venza costs $89 less per year to repair
- 2Toyota Venza has 38 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota Venza scores 9 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
KIA Sorento vs Toyota Venza: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | KIA Sorento | Toyota Venza |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 71/100 | 80/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 4 |
| Total Recalls | 43 | 5 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 7.4 | 0.2 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $533/yr | $444/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.5/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 11% | 10% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2024 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 | 4 |
What Are the Common Problems With the KIA Sorento and Toyota Venza?
The Kia Sorento exhibits a higher volume and variety of complaints, with significant issues in the power train and engine categories, totaling 269 and 260 complaints respectively, including crash-linked incidents. Additionally, the Sorento's electrical system and unknown or other categories also account for a substantial number of complaints, with multiple being crash-related, indicating potential safety concerns. In contrast, the Toyota Venza has a minimal problem profile, with only nine total complaints, primarily related to exterior lighting and fuel/propulsion systems, none of which are linked to crashes. This suggests that while the Sorento faces diverse and serious reliability challenges, particularly affecting critical systems, the Venza's issues are less frequent and less severe.
| Component | KIA Sorento | Toyota Venza |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 1.5Low | —None |
| ENGINE | 1.4Low | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.1Low | —None |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| TRAILER HITCHES | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: KIA Sorento or Toyota Venza?
How Does KIA Sorento vs Toyota Venza Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | KIA Sorento | Toyota Venza | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 79/1002R / 35C | 80/1002R / 0C | Toyota Venza |
| 2023 | 70/1007R / 120C | 80/1002R / 0C | Toyota Venza |
| 2022 | 66/10010R / 171C | 80/1000R / 2C | Toyota Venza |
| 2021 | 66/1006R / 217C | 79/1001R / 7C | Toyota Venza |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 KIA Sorento scored 79/100 and the 2024 Toyota Venza scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the KIA Sorento vs the Toyota Venza?
KIA Sorento vs Toyota Venza: Common Questions
- Is the KIA Sorento more reliable than the Toyota Venza?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Venza is more reliable with an average score of 80/100 compared to 71/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the KIA Sorento or the Toyota Venza?
- The KIA Sorento has more recalls (43) compared to the Toyota Venza (5). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the KIA Sorento or the Toyota Venza?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Venza has a lower complaint rate at 0.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 7.4 for the KIA Sorento. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the KIA Sorento or the Toyota Venza?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Venza is cheaper to maintain at $444/year versus $533/year for the KIA Sorento.
- Is the KIA Sorento or Toyota Venza safer?
- Both the KIA Sorento and Toyota Venza received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between KIA Sorento and Toyota Venza? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
See incorrect data? Report an issue