2024 Kia Sportage

Inside and out, the Kia Sportage makes a strong case for the most cutting-edge entry in the competitive compact SUV segment. Fresh off of a complete redesign for 2023, the Sportage shares a family resemblance with Kia’s popular EV6 electric vehicle. Inside, we love the two big screens that serve as the focal point of one of the segment’s roomiest interiors. Backed by Kia’s famously generous warranty coverage, the Sportage ranks high on our list of the best compact SUVs for most people. The Sportage lineup also includes hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, which are reviewed separately. The Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-50, and Hyundai Tucson are each similar in different regards.

Having been completely redesigned for 2023, changes are minor to the 2024 Sportage. AWD is no longer available for the SX trim, and LED projector headlights are now standard on every trim. Second-row seat-mounted airbags are a new standard safety feature.

Before buying a Sportage, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should pay. Kia Sportage resale values are about average for the segment.

The Kia Sportage is powered by a 187-horsepower 4-cylinder engine matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive. Our reviewers have found power delivery and acceleration about typical for the segment.

One of the things that impressed us the most when we drove the Sportage was the quiet ride. It’s so serene and hushed that it rivals some luxury brands. Between the smooth, quiet ride and the upscale cabin, we thought it felt like a bigger, more expensive SUV in highway cruising. The handling around town is pretty standard for a compact SUV, and it feels stable around corners.

A big surprise with the Sportage is that it’s a pretty good off-roader when adequately equipped, namely in the X-Pro trims. Few remember the rugged roots of the Kia Sportage in its early years, but this generation delivers a satisfying blend of on-road comfort and off-road capability.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating the current collection of compact SUVs, including this Kia Sportage.

Our reviewers have collectively described the interior of the Kia Sportage as an attractive mix of sport, luxury, and tech. The dual 12.3-inch digital displays married beneath a curved sheet of glass dominate the first impression, but that’s just the beginning. Angular air vents hugging the curved display add a technical look. An asymmetrical center console puts buttons and controls within easy reach of the driver. And when not needed to hold your drink, the cupholder area cleverly transforms into an extra bin that can accommodate larger items. We like the idea of the dual-purpose digital control panel — the same knob increases volume or temperature, depending on the mode — but it’ll always be a little extra cognitive load.

Most significantly, there are 41.3 inches of legroom in the adult-friendly rear seats and 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space in the Sportage. Those are both best-in-class ratings, just barely beating the roomy Honda CR-V.

Blind-Spot View Monitor
When you activate a turn signal, a video image of the Sportage’s rear-quarter blind spot is displayed on the digital instrument panel, helping make lane changes safer. It’s supplemented by the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, which automatically applies selective brakes to keep the Sportage from changing into an occupied lane.

The same engine powers every non-hybrid Kia Sportage, but conventional hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains are also available and reviewed separately. Like most of its rivals, front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is a popular option.

2.5-liter 4-cylinder
187 horsepower @ 6,100 rpm
178 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy (2023): 25/32 mpg (FWD), 23/28 (AWD)

Class-Leading Warranty

The Kia Sportage is tied with the Hyundai Tucson for the best warranty in its class. It’s backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.