When it comes to reliability, Toyota and Honda are the gold standard. The Japanese automakers also offer two of the most successful compact SUVs — the RAV4 and CR-V. However, according to J.D. Power, the most reliable compact SUV isn’t a Toyota or Honda. It’s the 2023 Kia Sportage.

2023 Kia Sportage is the most reliable compact SUV, according to JD Power

When choosing which compact SUV to buy, reliability is a crucial area to consider. It can have a major impact on vehicle ownership. If a vehicle is very reliable, it will likely have fewer and less severe repairs, resulting in lower repair costs and less hassle. Other benefits include better performance, safety, and longevity.

And for compact SUV reliability, the best choice isn’t the Toyota RAV4 or the Honda CR-V, according to J.D. Power. The most reliable compact SUV is the 2023 Kia Sportage.

J.D. Power recently released the results of its 2023 Vehicle Dependability Study, which honors the top three models in each vehicle segment. The Sportage took the top spot for compact SUVs. Neither the RAV4 nor the CR-V were recognized, for the 2023 Buick Envision placed second, and the 2023 Jeep Cherokee placed third. 

Kia Sportage: Minimal issues in Vehicle Dependability Study

The 2023 Kia Sportage earned the title of the most reliable SUV because it performed well in the 2023 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. For the Vehicle Dependability Study, J.D. Power collected thousands of owner surveys over the previous year. The owners identified various problem areas, including exterior, interior, powertrain, driving experience, climate, infotainment, driving assistance, seats, and controls. 

Since the Sportage had the least number of issues in these problem areas, J.D. Power named it the most reliable compact SUV — beating out the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and all other vehicles in the segment. 

Along with the Sportage, the Kia brand fared well in the study. J.D. Power recognized it as the third most reliable car brand — and tops for reliability for mainstream brands. Other Kia models were honored as well. This includes the Forte and Optima, which earned the top spots for compact cars and midsize cars, respectively. Also, the Sedona earned second place for minivan reliability, while the Sorento took the second spot for three-row midsize SUVs.

Redesign for the 2023 Sportage

The 2023 Kia Sportage is even better for the new model year with a superb redesign. It has a stylish new look, with a more technical tiger nose grille, boomerang daytime running lights, angular fenders, and notch-shaped taillights.

The attractive design continues into the cabin, which is more modern and refined. There are also new technologies, such as the massive dual panoramic curved display with two 12.3-inch screens. Plus, the redesigned Sportage experienced a growth spurt, resulting in more interior space. This includes class-leading rear cargo space (39.6 cu-ft) and rear legroom (41.3 inches).

Furthermore, the Sportage offers new hybrid models, which deliver high fuel economy. The standard hybrid model gets an estimated gas mileage of up to 43 combined mpg, while the plug-in hybrid gets up to 84 MPGe in electric-only mode and 35 combined mpg in hybrid mode. Plus, for adventure-seeking drivers, there are new off-road models with the rugged X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige trims.

The 2023 Kia Sportage is a compact SUV with excellent reliability. It tops all other compact SUVs on the J.D. Power most reliable list, including the 2023 Toyota RAV4 and the 2023 Honda CR-V.