The 2022 Sportage takes the prize for the best Kia SUV thanks to its affordability, safety ratings, and near-luxury interior. But depending on your needs, you might want to go with the Sorento, Telluride, or Niro instead.

An SUV is a big car and a big purchase. If you're a fan of Kia's reliability and lengthy warranty, you're probably looking to maximize your dollar with the best the brand has to offer.

Here to help you with your big decision is

Jerry

, the

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comparison app that can help lower your

Kia insurance costs

We've got a breakdown of our top picks for every kind of Kia SUV, including family haulers, green commuters, and off-roaders.

Best overall: 2022 Kia Sportage

Starting price: $25,305

Number of seats: 5

J.D. Power rating: 84

Even in 2020, when most automobile sales dropped due to the pandemic, Kia sold 84,343 Sportages—the model's third best-selling year in history. In 2021, it took the title of best 'Family SUV' in the Women’s World Car of the Year awards. In 2022, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it the title of Top Safety Pick.

We'll see if 2023 continues the

Kia Sportage

's upwards trend, but it could hardly come better recommended.

Although it has one of the lowest starting prices in its class, the base Sportage features an 8-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker sound system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Lane departure warnings, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision mitigation round out its generous technology offerings.

While the standard 181-hp, 2.4L four-cylinder engine can feel a bit sleepy, the 237-hp, 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder upgrade is locked to the highest SX Turbo trim ($34,965).

The driving may be unexciting and the cargo space below average, but at least you'll be traveling in comfort. The Sportage's interior is arguably its best feature, clad in near-luxury materials which had reviewers all over the web praising its style, design, and value for money. For all these reasons—including its affordability—the Sportage is the best Kia SUV.

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Best used: 2019 Kia Sportage

Price range: $23,420-$30,713

Number of seats: 5

J.D. Power rating: 87

Not only does buying used net you a lower insurance cost, but it also lets you enjoy most of the features of our top pick without the price tag. Those made between 2017 and 2020 have the fewest complaints. Beware of earlier models which suffer from low ratings, recalls, and repairs.

The 2019 model year, on the other hand, was the #1 Affordable Compact SUV according to U.S. News and a finalist in the Best Compact SUV for the Money category. With an engine identical to the 2022 model year and another IIHS top rating, you won't lack performance or safety.

A supportive cabin filled with high-quality materials completes the recommendation. Be on the lookout for the Popular package, or you'll miss out on Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

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Best for families: 2022 Kia Sorento

Starting price: $30,885

Number of seats: 6-7

J.D. Power rating: 81

If you're searching for a

Kia midsize SUV

, look no further than the

Kia Sorento

. Four complete sets of LATCH connectors, an IIHS Top Safety Pick, and 24/29 mpg in the city/highway, make it capable of hauling the whole family in comfort and safety. A Car & Driver Editors’ Choice award doesn't hurt either.

The Sorento starts with a 191-hp, 2.5L four-cylinder engine, heated mirrors, an 8-inch touchscreen, Android/Apple connectivity, and the usual complement of Kia driver-assistive technologies. A plethora of trim levels—including the option of a hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain—allows families to get what they want while sticking to a budget. What keeps it from the top rank is the cramped third row and below-average storage.

Best for off-roading: 2023 Kia Telluride X-Pro

Starting price: est. $49,000

Number of seats: 7-8

J.D. Power rating: 85 (2022 rating)

There's a lot that makes a good off-roading vehicle: ground clearance, tires, torque, ruggedness, and heavy-duty suspension are essential. If you can do it all in comfort and style, that's the cherry on top.

In 2023, the Telluride X-Pro will join the catalog, the first Kia SUV trim engineered for the off-roading crowd. The list of changes includes:

18-inch wheels with Continental all-terrain tires

An extra 500 lbs. of towing capacity, for a total of 6,000 lbs.

110-volt power outlet in the cargo hold

Modified front and rear bumpers for better approach and departure angles

Better traction control

Heavy-duty roof rack

Lifted suspension by 0.4 inches

All-wheel-drive

291-Hp, 3.8L V6 engine

Downhill brake control for cruise control at slow speeds downhill

A perfect 10/10 on Car & Driver—citing the near-luxury feel and great value for money—tells us the Telluride X-Pro is about to show us just how comfortable off-roading can be.

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Best fuel economy: 2022 Kia Niro hybrid

Starting price: $25,985

Number of seats: 5

J.D. Power rating: 80 (2019 version)

The

Kia Niro

is not yet refined enough for us to put it at the top. Its biggest drawbacks are bland and underwhelming performance, coupled with an awkward cargo space that doesn't know where to put the big battery demanded by a PHEV. But the $30,000 price is an amazing deal, especially considering how much you'll save on gas.

To save costs, Kia has compromised on the interior and the powertrain, which puts out 139-hp with a four-cylinder/electric motor duo. In return, you'll enjoy 53/48/50 of city/highway/combined mpg (105 MPGe) without having to say goodbye to automatic climate controls, Android/Apple connectivity, or a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. Overall, we think Kia's done a great job delivering an unobjectionable car with superior fuel economy.

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