Last updated: 2026-03-04
Kia Sportage vs Lexus NX: Reliability Compared
Kia Sportage
Lexus NX
Choosing between the Kia Sportage and the Lexus NX? 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 compact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Lexus NX currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Lexus NX is more reliable than the Kia Sportage, scoring 78/100 vs 74/100.
Key Differences
- 1Kia Sportage has 19 fewer total recalls
- 2Lexus NX scores 4 points higher in reliability
- 3Kia Sportage has 1.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Kia Sportage vs Lexus NX: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Kia Sportage | Lexus NX |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 74/100 | 78/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 28 | 47 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 5.3 | 6.3 |
| Year Wins | 3 | 5 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Kia Sportage and Lexus NX?
| Component | Kia Sportage | Lexus NX |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.9Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.8Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ENGINE | 1Very Low | —None |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| TRAILER HITCHES | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Kia Sportage vs Lexus NX Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Kia Sportage | Lexus NX | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 82/1002R / 44C | 77/1007R / 13C | Kia Sportage |
| 2024 | 78/1004R / 83C | 77/10014R / 129C | Kia Sportage |
| 2023 | 67/1009R / 257C | 77/10010R / 27C | Lexus NX |
| 2022 | 79/1001R / 39C | 75/10013R / 19C | Kia Sportage |
| 2021 | 76/1002R / 34C | 82/1000R / 30C | Lexus NX |
| 2020 | 69/1002R / 139C | 82/1000R / 26C | Lexus NX |
| 2019 | 74/1002R / 63C | 77/1002R / 41C | Lexus NX |
| 2018 | 68/1003R / 147C | 79/1001R / 36C | Lexus NX |
| 2026(predicted) | 76/100(predicted) | 77/100(predicted) | Lexus NX |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Kia Sportage scored 82/100 and the 2021 Lexus NX scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Kia Sportage vs Lexus NX: Common Questions
- Is the Kia Sportage more reliable than the Lexus NX?
- Based on our data, the Lexus NX is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Kia Sportage or the Lexus NX?
- The Lexus NX has more recalls (47) compared to the Kia Sportage (28). 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 Sportage or the Lexus NX?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Kia Sportage has a lower complaint rate at 5.3 per 10,000 sold versus 6.3 for the Lexus NX. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Kia Sportage comparisons
More Lexus NX comparisons
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.
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