Kia Telluride vs Subaru Ascent: reliability compared
From 2020 to 2026, owners filed an average of 344 complaints per model year about the Kia Telluride and 86 about the Subaru Ascent.
Side by side
| Kia Telluride | Subaru Ascent | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2020-2026 | 2020-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 2,061 | 605 |
| Complaints per model year | 344 | 86 |
| Recalls | 17 | 8 |
| Years to avoid | 2020 | 2020 |
| Best years | None stand out | None stand out |
| Most common problem | Visibility | Electrical |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 20-22 mpg combined (2025) | 21-22 mpg combined (2026) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| Telluride | Ascent | |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 429 | 126 |
| Engine | 361 | 59 |
| Electrical | 302 | 133 |
| Lights | 211 | 6 |
| Transmission | 175 | 101 |
| Body | 157 | 21 |
| Brakes | 70 | 59 |
| Driver assistance | 119 | 57 |
Questions about the Kia Telluride vs Subaru Ascent
Which is more reliable, the Kia Telluride or the Subaru Ascent?
Between 2020 and 2026, the Kia Telluride has 1 year to avoid and the Subaru Ascent 1. Both are about equally consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Subaru Ascent drew fewer complaints per model year (86 vs 344), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Kia Telluride or the Subaru Ascent?
From 2020 to 2026, the Kia Telluride was covered by 17 recalls and the Subaru Ascent by 8.
What years of the Kia Telluride and Subaru Ascent should you avoid?
Kia Telluride: 2020. Subaru Ascent: 2020.
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