We take a look at the three engines in the fourth generation KIA Sportage engine range if you're interested in buying a used model.
In November 2018, the KIA Sportage line-up was revised but it retained its popular engines. In the range is a 2.0-litre Multi-point Injection (MPI) and 2.0-litre CRDI (Common Rail Diesel Injection) engines for use in the Sportage, discontinuing both the 2.4 GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) and 1.6 T-GDI (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection) engines found in the previous SX AWD and GT Line models. The fourth generation Sportage was pretty popular here in South Africa. You can find a few used examples here on our website and if you’ve found the one you want and need to sell your current car quickly and easily, you can try out our Instant Offer tool.
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Petrol engine
The familiar 2.0-litre ‘Nu’ MPI engine delivers 115 kW of power and peak torque of 196 Nm at 4000 rpm. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes place in 10.5 seconds with the 6-speed manual gearbox and 11.1 seconds with the 6-speed automatic gearbox. It reaches a top speed of 186 km/h (6-speed manual) and 181 km/h (6-speed automatic), and CO2 emissions were measured at 183 g/km (6-speed manual) and 184 g/km (6-speed automatic) respectively.
Next up, there’s a 1.6-litre T-GDI turbocharged petrol engine delivering 130 kW of power and peak torque of 265 Nm at 1500 rpm. Acceleration from 0 – 100 km/h happens in 9.1 seconds with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine reaches a top speed of 201 km/h and C02 emissions were measured t 173 g/km.
A new addition to the range is the efficient 1.6-litre GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine, utilised exclusively in the Sportage Ignite. This new-generation 1591 cc ‘Gamma’ engine puts out maximum power of 97 kW and peak torque of 161 Nm from 4850 rpm. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 12.1 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 170 km/h. CO2 emissions were measured at 175 g/km.
Finally, there’s a 2.4-litre GDI engine puts out 135 kW of power and peak torque at 237 Nm from 4000 rpm. This engine accelerates from 0 – 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds, has a top speed of 192 km/h and unfortunately we couldn’t find data on C02 emissions measurements for this engine.
Diesel engines
A favourite in the range is the 2.0 CRDI engine which puts out maximum power of 131 kW, and peak torque of 400 Nm between 1750- and 2750 rpm. As part of the mid-life revisions, this engine has now been paired exclusively to KIA’s new eight-speed automatic transmission in both the Ignite Plus, EX and EX Plus specification grades.
Designed in-house by KIA, the eight-speed auto transmission boasts 143 newly-patented technologies and delivers a slick-shifting, more decisive drive while reducing emissions. Compared to other automatic transmissions, KIA’s new eight-speed unit requires fewer control valves, enabling a more direct mechanical link to the engine. This allows the transmission to shift more quickly than the outgoing six-speed automatic transmission and enables more decisive acceleration.
This new transmission helps the Sportage go from 0-100 km/h in 9.3 seconds, it reaches a top speed of 201 km/h and CO2 emissions were measured at 164 g/km.
Verdict
We’d suggest the 2.0 CRDI diesel model. It offers a great combination of power and economy while also walks all over the petrol engine in the torque department.
It’s common knowledge that diesels are long-distance drivers, however, modern diesel engines are exempt from falling into the ‘only long trips’ paradigm. Owners of the diesel Sportage has said it does fine with short trips.
Over the last 10 years, modern diesel engines have adopted new injection technology that’s made them cleaner, more responsive and even more fuel efficient which leaves no reason to not run them in the city.
Many modern diesel engines are fitted with a diesel particle filter (DPF) which is a special filtration system built into the exhaust. While not required in South Africa, they are required by law in other parts of the world. These particular engines with the DPF need a regular run on the highway to take care of the filter. The Sportage, on the other hand, is not fitted with a DPF system and so you can run short distances and do city driving without any negative consequences.
Whether it’s petrol or diesel, both of these benefit from regular highway runs. Just ensure you service your car regularly as short-distance driving is very tough on lubricating oil.
Keyword: Which KIA Sportage (4th Gen 2015-2021) is better: diesel or petrol?