For midsize sedan reliability, Honda and Toyota have led the way over the years with the Accord and Camry. However, according to J.D. Power, the most reliable midsize car isn’t a Honda or Toyota. It’s the Kia Optima.

Kia Optima is the most reliable midsize car, according to JD Power

When choosing which midsize car to purchase, reliability is a crucial factor to consider. It can have a significant impact on vehicle ownership. If a car is reliable, it will probably have less frequent and severe repairs, resulting in less money spent and fewer hassles. It’s also more likely to last longer. Other benefits include consistent performance and safety.

And based on J.D. Power’s analysis, the most reliable car isn’t the Honda Accord or the Toyota Camry. It’s the Kia Optima. Earlier this year, the data analytics company revealed the 2023 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which listed the three most reliable vehicles for various vehicle segments. And for the midsize car segment, J.D. Power named the Optima the best model for reliability. 

Neither the Accord nor the Camry made the top three. The second and third spots went to the Chevy Malibu and Ford Fusion, respectively.

Top honor for the Kia Optima based on the 2023 Vehicle Dependability Study

The Kia Optima sedan earning the midsize car top spot is surprising — given the long-term reputation of reliability for the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry. Also, the Optima is no longer available new — at least in name. The fourth-generation model ended production in 2020, as Kia changed its name to the currently-offered K5. 

However, for the Vehicle Dependability Study, J.D. Power evaluates vehicles that are up to three years old. The VDS is a compilation of thousands of owner surveys. Over a span of 12 months, owners identified various potential problems. The problems covered a wide range of areas, including the exterior, interior, powertrain, driving experience, driving assistance, climate system, controls, and features. 

Because the Kia Optima had the least number of issues in these problem areas, J.D. Power named it the most reliable midsize car. It topped all other vehicles in the midsize sedan segment, including the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry.

Other Kia models honored for high-level reliability

The Optima wasn’t the only Kia model honored by J.D. Power for high-level reliability. The Optma’s diminutive sedan sibling, the Forte, is the best one for the compact sedan segment. Also, the Sportage earned the top spot for compact SUVs, while the Sorento placed second for midsize SUVs. 

Furthermore, Kia fares well in automotive brand reliability. According to J.D. Power, it’s the third most reliable car brand, behind only luxury automakers Lexus and BMW. 

Repair costs for the Optima are low

As mentioned earlier, the reliability of the Optima translates to low repair costs. Per RepairPal, the average annual cost to repair the sedan is $471. This is lower than the $526 yearly average for midsize cars and $652 for all model types.

The Kia Optima is a midsize car with outstanding reliability. It bests all other midsize sedans in the 2023 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, including the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry.