“The Kia Sportage is a practical, well equipped and easy-to-drive SUV with an impressive warranty covering it for seven years”
Pros
- Roomy interior
- Lots of standard equipment and tech
- Long warranty
Cons
- Average fuel economy
- Not very exciting to drive
- Styling isn't for everyone
The Kia Sportage is very easy to recommend as a used family car, because it ticks all the boxes that most people will be looking for. Most importantly, it’s really practical – there’s a big boot and plenty of room for people in the back seats – and nice and easy to drive no matter which engine and gearbox you choose. It’s also well equipped and most used models will have all the technology you need, plus the Sportage came with a seven-year warranty from new so many used models will still have plenty of cover left over even if they are a few years old.
The Kia Sportage is a family SUV that’s practical, good to drive and comes with an excellent warranty that means it’s a top used buy. There are both petrol and diesel engines, manual or automatic gearboxes and even four-wheel-drive versions, although we’d avoid these if you care about running costs.
Alternatives on the used market include the Ford Kuga, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Qashqai and Peugeot 3008, so if you’re shopping around then you should check those models out as well. The Sportage’s main selling point in that company is its seven-year warranty, meaning even three-year old models have four years of cover left.
The fourth-generation model we’re covering in this review came out in 2016 but there were some changes to the model over the years. Kia added some different petrol engines, mild-hybrid diesel engines, and tweaked interior and exterior styling. In 2020 the car was updated with some differences in the equipment you get, too.
What’s the history of the Kia Sportage?
The Kia Sportage Mk4 first arrived in 2016, following an unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show in late 2015. The initial version can be spotted by its more rounded styling on the front bumper, with a smaller grille area. Both petrol and diesel models were available.
In 2018 Kia updated the car with a new look – it’s easy to spot because of the larger grille at the front and the trim pieces on the sides of the front bumper had a new bit of silver detailing that links to the number plate area. The main reason to go for a later model isn’t the exterior look, but the improved interior and more efficient engines, including a mild-hybrid diesel.
In 2020 there was another update but this was mainly for the trim range, changing which equipment was available in which versions – it was pretty minor but it’s worth checking to see if a model you’re interested in is part of the updated range or not.
Which is the best Kia Sportage to choose?
We’d go for a post-2018 model with the 134bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine, which is a mild hybrid. This means it has a 48-volt electrical system to provide a small amount of power assistance when accelerating. In practice, it’s not noticeable while driving but it means fuel economy is 47.9mpg for the front-wheel-drive version, which is the one we’d go for (the four-wheel-drive model is less efficient).
If you don’t do a lot of miles, the 174bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine could be a decent alternative to the diesel. It’s smooth and quiet, but doesn’t feel as fast as we would expect from a 174bhp engine.
What are the alternatives?
There are absolutely loads of family SUVs that are of a similar size and price to the Kia Sportage. The most closely aligned ones are the Nissan Qashqai, Peugeot 3008 and Skoda Karoq, which all have a similar focus on practicality.
If you want something that’s more enjoyable to drive, then a Ford Kuga or a Mazda CX-5 could be worth considering, or if you want something with lower running costs there’s the Toyota C-HR or RAV4, both of which are full hybrids.
In general, family SUVs like the Kia Sportage tend to have higher running costs than traditional family cars such as the Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra. That’s because these models are larger, heavier and some have four-wheel drive, so keep that in mind if you are deciding which type of car is best for you.
If you’re set on an SUV, then you’ll want to know what the running costs are like in the context of other models like the Sportage, and the Kia falls below the best models of its type. It’s merely average when it comes to things like fuel economy and emissions.
With a used car there are other considerations, such as reliability, although we’ll cover that in another section. Repair costs can mount up, and the fact that the Sportage comes with a seven-year warranty means that it should cost less to keep on the road than other similar models – not that we’d expect it to need endless repairs anyway.
How much do used Kia Sportages cost?
The Kia Sportage is a mid-size family SUV, which means you’ll pay more for one of these than a typical family hatch such as a Ford Focus, but not as much as what you’ll sometimes see called a ‘premium’ SUV – one from a brand such as BMW or Mercedes, even if they are a similar size.
The Sportage sits somewhere in the middle of its own type of car, so you can expect to pay a little more for the Kia than an equivalent Nissan Qashqai, but a Mazda CX-5 will typically be slightly more expensive than the Sportage. However, it’ll only be a matter of hundreds rather than thousands of pounds in most cases, if everything else is equal.
Depreciation is pretty average as well – our experts reckon it will lose around 50 per cent of its as-new value after three years or 36,000 miles depending on trim level and engine, which is about as average as it gets.
What’s it like for fuel economy, emissions and tax?
While this Sportage can’t quite match the class leaders for economy and emissions, it’s not far behind. The most fuel-efficient version – the two-wheel-drive 134bhp mild-hybrid 1.6-litre diesel – emits from 146g/km of CO2 and returns an average of up to 50.4mpg regardless of whether you pick the manual or automatic gearbox. Go for the four-wheel-drive version of the same engine and fuel economy falls to 42.8mpg and 173g/km of CO2.
A more powerful 182bhp diesel engine was available prior to 2020. This 2.0-litre motor returned 44.8mpg and 166g/km of CO2, or you could go for a 134bhp version of this engine that managed 47.9mpg in auto form and 54.3mpg as a manual. The most efficient diesel was the 1.7 CRDi, which returned 61.4mpg and 119g/km with a manual gearbox, though only older models have this engine. Note that this figure was achieved on the NEDC test cycle, rather than the newer WLTP cycle.
Alternatively, you can go for one of the petrol engines. All models have 1.6-litre engines, one of which is turbocharged and the other having no turbo. The entry-level, non-turbocharged model produces 130bhp, will return up to 38.7mpg on average and emits 166g/km of CO2 with help from Kia’s ISG stop-start technology.
The more powerful turbocharged petrol engine is now available with two- and four-wheel drive, but the latter does affect its fuel economy and CO2 emissions. The front-wheel-drive version with a manual gearbox manages 35.3mpg, while choosing the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox increases this to 37.7mpg, with emissions of 170g/km. The four-wheel-drive version with a manual or automatic gearbox both return up to 33.2mpg and 192g/km of CO2 emissions.
How much will it cost to insure?
The Kia Sportage should be around average in terms of insurance, too. The 2.0-litre diesel with 134bhp sits in insurance group 19 in manual form and if you upgrade to a 184bhp version of this engine then the group rating goes up to 22. The 1.7-litre CRDi diesel in older versions of the Sportage sits in a lower group, 12, if you go for a low trim level. A later mild hybrid diesel is only a little higher, in group 14.
This compares with group 18 for a 1.7-litre diesel Nissan Qashqai and group 16 for a 1.5-litre Peugeot 3008 diesel. Choose a petrol engine for the lowest insurance costs: the 1.6 GDi engine sits in groups 11 to 13 depending on trim.
The higher-powered petrol is more expensive to insure, sitting in group 20-23, which is about the same as a 1.6-litre petrol Qashqai but a little lower than a Peugeot 3008 1.6 petrol, which is in group 24.
The Kia Sportage is likely to be a very reliable choice of used family car. It’s tough to make a definitive statement on the dependability of any car, but the simple fact that Kia sells it with a seven-year warranty that’s transferable from owner to owner tells us a lot.
How reliable is the Kia Sportage?
Kia doesn’t want to be offering warranty-covered free repairs all the time, so it clearly would not offer this impressive cover if it wasn’t sure its cars are some of the most reliable out there. The Sportage uses a set of tried-and-tested petrol and diesel engines, and the warranty covers you for up to 100,000 miles, so there’s no reason to think it won’t be a very dependable car.
You can buy service plans online that cover you for essential maintenance. We looked up the cost for a 2018 diesel Sportage and found that for both the 40,000 and 50,000-mile services it would cost just over £400.
Service intervals for most Sportage models are every 20,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. The petrol turbo models (the 1.6 T-GDi only) have shorter intervals, though – every 10,000 miles or 12 months. You’ll want to bear that in mind if you’re deciding on which version to choose.
Are there any common problems or things to look out for?
On the whole, the Kia Sportage should be trouble-free. There’s evidence online that some cars can suffer from engine computer problems or a juddering clutch, both of which will be covered by the warranty. Odd-feeling steering might be one area to look out for – test drive a couple of cars to give yourself some context on how it should feel.
As with all used cars, check for damage around the bumpers and on the wheels, and if you’re confident doing so, check the fluids are all topped up. Low oil or coolant is a sign of an inattentive seller, which is usually something you want to avoid.
What about recalls?
There are no reported recalls for the Kia Sportage built from 2016 to 2021 in the UK.
What do owners think?
In our 2021 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey the Kia Sportage was ranked ninth out of the top 75 cars featured in the poll. That’s a great result and owners reported that their Sportages have been reliable and are well built, plus practicality and ride quality were praised as well. It’s a really good sign that owners are impressed with these key areas.
As a reasonably tall crossover SUV, the Sportage is never going to be the most entertaining car in the world to drive, but compared with its rivals, it’s perfectly competent. It could be more comfortable, too, but the driving experience is exactly as good as it needs to be.
What is the Kia Sportage like to drive?
Most versions of the Sportage ride nicely and the steering is positive and direct, while there’s plenty of grip, too. The manual gearbox is precise and easy to use, while body lean is well controlled in the corners. Most of the time, the car with the four-wheel drive behaves like it's front-wheel drive, but it can send up to 40% of its power to the rear wheels if it detects the front is losing grip.
However, it’s still very much a comfort-orientated driving experience and not quite as sharp as rivals such as the Ford Kuga, Mazda CX-5 and SEAT Ateca. It beats all three for ride smoothness; motorway surface imperfections and urban potholes are absorbed effectively and few shocks are transmitted to passengers. The large wheels and extra weight of the mild-hybrid technology in the range-topper detracts from this, however, making the ride somewhat bouncier.
Which engine should I choose?
The 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine in post-2018 models is a good place to start. It uses a 48-volt starter motor that can also give acceleration a small boost. This set-up is known as 'mild hybrid' and aims to improve fuel economy and lower emissions slightly.
The front-wheel-drive version is the best one to go for because it’s faster and more efficient than other versions. You can pick auto or manual gearboxes – both are easy to drive and pleasant to use. The pulling power of the diesel engine means it offers flexible performance, giving you the ability to overtake while at most points in the rev range. At motorway speeds, the engine is quiet and feels relaxed, making the Sportage an easygoing cruiser.
Even though the petrol models are unlikely to be as popular as the diesel versions, they’re worth considering if you don’t drive a huge number of miles each year. The 174bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine is impressively smooth and quiet, but unfortunately, despite what the figures suggest, it doesn’t actually feel all that quick.
When fitted with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and front-wheel drive, it's the quickest model in the range on paper. It’ll get from 0-60mph in 8.6 seconds and go on to a top speed of 127mph. When equipped with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox, it takes 8.9 seconds to cover the 0-60mph dash.
There’s one other 1.6-litre petrol engine but with no turbocharger. It produces 130bhp, gets the Sportage from 0-60mph in 11.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 113mph. Also, in older models there was a 1.7-litre diesel engine. This model is really efficient but the engine feels a bit old-fashioned now as it’s noisier than the newer diesel. It’s a good option for value for money and low running costs, however.
You get the sense that Kia put its efforts into the little details with the Sportage’s interior. It’s not as eye-catching as some of its rivals but the interior of this family SUV is easy to live with, comfortable and practical.
What’s the Kia Sportage like inside?
Everything feels solidly put together and all the switches on the centre console are easy to find. The standard touchscreen is simple to use too and it’s responsive. It may not be stunning to look at but to use, it’s hard to fault.
The Peugeot 3008 has a much more pleasing interior to look at, and a Mazda CX-5’s interior feels more upmarket than the Kia’s. This is where the Sportage falls behind, because it’s a bit dull inside, but the fact that all the buttons are easy to find and use means more to some people than the way they look – and it’s hard to disagree.
What’s on the equipment list?
Every Sportage is well equipped, with even entry-level ‘2’ coming with plenty of kit. You get air conditioning, a DAB digital radio, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a USB port, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, a reversing camera, privacy glass and 17-inch alloys. The entry-level trim also gets sat nav, heated front and rear seats, high-beam assist, lane-keep assist and trailer stability assist.
The ‘3’ model gets 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and rear lights, a panoramic sunroof and black leather upholstery. Upgraded interior tech includes a 4.2-inch digital display for the instruments and electrically adjustable front seats. It also comes with more safety technology, including blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Sportage is also available in sporty GT Line specification. This model comes with ‘ice cube’ front foglights as well as dual exhausts and 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the GT Line features a flat-bottomed steering wheel, heated rear seats, piano-black interior trim and aluminium pedals.
The GT-Line S model is available with the most powerful petrol and diesel engines and adds ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging and a powered tailgate. Adaptive LED headlights are also standard, along with a 360-degree view camera, wireless smartphone charging and a premium eight-speaker JBL stereo system.
The mid-2020 range update saw the entry-level ‘1’ and flagship ‘4’ trim levels discontinued from the Sportage line-up. That was probably a good thing, because the 1 model was very sparse and should be avoided. The 4 version is the opposite: it was very well equipped but expensive, so is worth looking out for on the used market because it’s much lower-priced now.
How safe is it?
The Sportage is a very safe car, too: Euro NCAP crash-tested it before it went on sale and awarded it five stars out of five, with an excellent 90% adult occupant protection score and 83% child protection score.
This is largely thanks to the generous amount of standard safety equipment. Alongside the legally required traction control, stability control and anti-lock brakes, there’s also an electronic brake force distribution system that sends the most brake power to the wheel with the most grip, and a braking assistance system that ensures maximum braking force is used in an emergency, no matter how much force you put through the brake pedal.
If you like to tow – be it a caravan or horsebox – all models also come with trailer-stability assistance, while hill-start assistance and downhill braking control are also offered. Step up to higher trim levels and you get additional safety kit like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. This lets you know if there’s a car in your blind spot on the motorway and also if there’s a car approaching as you prepare to reverse out of a parking space or driveway.
The Kia Sportage Mk4 was bigger than the previous version, which meant it became more roomy inside. Whichever trim level you go for, you’ll have plenty of space whether you’re sitting in the front or the back.
There’s plenty of storage space, with two cup-holders in the centre console and a spacious cubby under the armrest. The space available in the door bins isn’t particularly impressive, but the glovebox is a good size. There’s no option for seven seats in the Sportage – you’ll have to upgrade to the Kia Sorento if you have more than five people to carry
How big is the Kia Sportage?
The exact length, width and height of the Kia Sportage depends on the model and trim level but generally speaking, it’s 4.5m long, 1.85m wide and 1.6m tall. That’s pretty typical of a family SUV such as this; by way of comparison, the Nissan Qashqai of the same era is 4.4m long, 1.8m wide and 1.6m tall, so the difference is a matter of millimetres.
How much space is there for passengers?
There’s lots of room in the Sportage for passengers, adults will be comfortable in the rear seats because there’s plenty of legroom and headroom. The doors open nice and wide, and the standard-fit Isofix child seat points mean that it’s easy to slot in a couple of child seats if you need them.
How big is the boot?
In total, there’s 491 litres of luggage space on offer, or 439 litres in the mild-hybrid model, which is slightly less than the 504 litres of the Nissan Qashqai in its lower trim levels. Fold down all the rear seats and the available storage expands to between 1,428 and 1,480 litres, which is also less than you’ll get in many of its rivals, but should still be plenty for most families.
Although there’s still a bit of a boot lip, it’s a lot less pronounced than it was in the previous model, and much lower than the likes of the Renault Kadjar, so the Sportage’s boot is now more usable than before. You also get tie-down points and you can store the parcel shelf under the boot floor.
The battery pack that supports the diesel's 48v mild-hybrid system takes up a little space and the standard space-saver spare wheel is replaced with a puncture repair kit.
Keyword: Used Kia Sportage review: 2016 to 2021 (Mk4)