First Drive

2024 Kia Sportage: A Well-Rounded Contender?

The all-new 2024 Kia Sportage has arrived, boasting a bold design and a feature-packed interior.

  • by: Samkeliso Maseko
  • May 31 2024
Sportage

2024 Sportage Specs

  • Base Price

    $26,890 USD (SZL 243,250)

  • PowerTrain

    2.0L turbocharged I4 engine | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission | Front-wheel drive (AWD optional)

  • Horsepower | Kilowatts

    241 hp (179 kW)

  • Torque

    258 lb-ft (350 Nm)

  • Seating Capacity

    5

  • Curb Weight

    3,290 lbs (1,492 kg)

  • Cargo Volume

    39.6 cu ft (1,124 L) / 74.1 cu ft (2,100 L)

  • Top Speed

    130 mph (209 kph)

  • Fuel Economy

    25 mpg combined (9.4 L/100km)

  • Quick Take

    Comfortable ride, feature-rich interior, but average fuel efficiency.

  • Design Score

    7/10

  • Handling Score

    6/10

Verdict - Is Sportage A Good Car?

Sportage

What AutoTrends Thinks

Verdict: A compelling all-rounder for the modern driver

The 2024 Kia Sportage is a strong contender in the compact SUV segment. It strikes a satisfying balance between practicality, comfort, and value. Let's delve deeper into what makes it a good car.

Firstly, the Sportage boasts a well-designed and surprisingly spacious interior. High-quality materials and a modern layout create a pleasant and inviting environment for both driver and passengers. Ample headroom and legroom throughout the cabin ensure a comfortable ride, even on longer journeys. This translates to a stress-free driving experience, especially for families who prioritize passenger comfort.

Secondly, the Sportage offers a compelling package of features at a competitive price point. Standard features include a user-friendly infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a sunroof, and a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features. This ensures you get the technology and safety features you need without having to break the bank. Moreover, Kia complements this with a variety of powertrain options.

seltos

How Does It Hold Itself Against The Competition

The Sportage in the Arena: Strengths and Considerations

The compact SUV segment is a battleground for manufacturers, with established players like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 reigning supreme. So, how does the 2024 Kia Sportage fare against these heavyweights?

The Sportage might not be the most dynamic option in terms of driving thrills. While it delivers a comfortable and composed ride, some competitors might offer a more engaging experience for those who prioritize sporty handling. However, the Sportage counters this with a compelling value proposition. It boasts a feature-rich interior with high-quality materials at a price point that might undercut some rivals. Standard features like a sunroof and driver-assistance suite are often optional extras on competing models. This translates to significant savings without sacrificing creature comforts or safety.

ADVERTISEMENT - PAGE CONTINUES BELOW

Running Cost - What are The running cost of the Sportage?

Sportage

How Is Like Living With It?

Keeping Costs in Check: Fuel Efficiency and Long-Term Ownership

The 2024 Kia Sportage is designed to be friendly on your wallet, both at the pump and throughout ownership. Let's explore the factors that contribute to its low running costs.

Fuel Efficiency for Every Driver:

The Sportage offers a variety of powertrain options, catering to different driving needs and fuel preferences. The base gasoline engine prioritizes affordability, achieving an estimated 25 mpg city / 33 mpg highway (10.5 L/100km / 7 L/100km). This translates to good fuel economy for daily commutes and errands, keeping your gas station visits less frequent.

However, if fuel efficiency is your top priority, the Sportage shines with its available hybrid models. These advanced powertrains deliver impressive figures, reaching up to 43 mpg city / 52 mpg highway (5.5 L/100km / 4.5 L/100km). This translates to significant savings at the pump, especially for those who drive long distances or navigate congested city streets. Whether you prioritize affordability or maximum fuel efficiency, the Sportage has a powertrain option that keeps your running costs in check.

Sportage

Maintanace Cost

Peace of Mind with Kia's Industry-Leading Warranty:

Kia is renowned for its comprehensive warranty coverage, and the Sportage is no exception. It comes standard with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty that protects you against unexpected repairs for a significant period. Additionally, the impressive 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty offers long-term peace of mind regarding major engine and transmission components.

This extensive warranty coverage translates to reduced ownership costs. Knowing that Kia has you covered for a decade allows you to focus on enjoying the ride without worrying about unforeseen repair bills. The Sportage's combination of fuel-efficient powertrains and a class-leading warranty ensures that you can experience the joy of ownership without breaking the bank.

ADVERTISEMENT - PAGE CONTINUES BELOW

interior and comfort - Is The Sportage comfortable?

Interior

Stepping Inside the 2023 Kia Sportage: Comfort and Refinement

The 2023 Kia Sportage boasts a significant leap forward in interior design and comfort compared to previous generations. High-quality materials throughout the cabin create a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere. Soft-touch surfaces and tasteful accents elevate the overall feel, making every ride feel more luxurious. The modern design is clean and functional, with a driver-centric layout that puts all controls within easy reach. The infotainment system seamlessly integrates into the dashboard, avoiding the cluttered look sometimes found in competitor vehicles.

Spaciousness is another hallmark of the Sportage's interior. Ample headroom and legroom ensure a comfortable ride for both front and rear passengers. Whether you're taking a long road trip with the family or shuttling friends around town, everyone will appreciate the generous amount of personal space. Taller passengers will find the headroom particularly impressive, even with the available panoramic sunroof selected. For added comfort on those long journeys, Kia offers heated and ventilated front seats on higher trim levels, allowing you to adjust the temperature to your preference regardless of the season.

Sportage

How Much Interior Space?

A Haven for Cargo and Gear: The Sportage's Versatile Interior

The 2023 Sportage doesn't just excel in passenger comfort; it also offers impressive cargo capacity. With 39.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, you'll have ample room for groceries, luggage, or weekend adventure gear. Folding down the rear seats expands the cargo capacity to a cavernous 74.1 cubic feet, making it easy to transport even bulkier items. The cargo area itself is designed for maximum usability. Adjustable features allow you to configure the space to fit your specific needs. A two-level cargo floor provides additional storage options, while the available cargo net helps keep your belongings secure during your travels. Whether you're a busy family on the go or an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for exploration, the Sportage's versatile interior can comfortably accommodate all your passengers and their gear.

ADVERTISEMENT - PAGE CONTINUES BELOW

Practicality And Booot Space- Is The Sportage Practical?

Practicality

Packed with Practicality: Everyday Convenience in the Sportage

The 2023 Kia Sportage goes beyond just comfortable transportation; it's designed to seamlessly integrate into your daily routine with a wealth of features that enhance usability. Standard features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow for effortless smartphone integration, keeping you connected and entertained on the go. No more fumbling with unfamiliar interfaces - simply connect your phone and access your favorite music, navigation apps, and hands-free calling directly through the Sportage's infotainment system.

A sunroof further brightens the cabin and adds to the airy feel, while a suite of driver-assistance features provides peace of mind on every journey. Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and Blind-Spot Monitoring are just a few of the technologies that actively watch out for you and your passengers. Higher trims elevate the experience even further, offering ventilated seats for ultimate comfort on hot days, a panoramic sunroof that transforms the entire ambience of the cabin, and a premium sound system that delivers an immersive audio experience for your favorite playlists or podcasts.

Sportage

Boot Space

Spacious Cargo Capacity: Conquering Every Haul with Ease

The 2023 Sportage truly shines when it comes to cargo space. With 39.6 cubic feet (1,124 liters) behind the rear seats, it offers exceptional capacity for its class. Whether you're tackling a week's worth of groceries, packing for a weekend getaway, or transporting sporting equipment, the Sportage can handle it all with ease. Folding down the rear seats expands the cargo area to a cavernous 74.1 cubic feet (2,100 liters), providing ample space for even bulkier items like furniture or bicycles. The impressive functionality doesn't stop there. The wide opening of the rear hatch allows for effortless loading and unloading, while the flat load floor creates a usable space that maximizes every cubic foot. No more Tetris-like maneuvers to fit your belongings; the Sportage's cargo area is designed for ultimate practicality.

ADVERTISEMENT - PAGE CONTINUES BELOW

Reliabilty And Safety - Is The Sportage Reliable?

Reliabilty

A Reputation for Dependability: The Sportage's Built-in Reliability

Kia has established itself as a leader in automotive reliability, consistently ranking high in industry surveys. The 2023 Sportage is expected to uphold this tradition, offering peace of mind to drivers who prioritize a trouble-free ownership experience. This confidence is further bolstered by Kia's industry-leading warranty. The standard warranty covers the Sportage for 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first, along with a 10-year warranty on the powertrain for 100,000 miles. This comprehensive coverage ensures that unexpected repairs are minimized, allowing you to focus on enjoying the road. Additionally, Kia uses high-quality materials and components in the Sportage's construction, further contributing to its long-lasting durability.

Sportage

Safety

Safety First: A Suite of Advanced Driver-Assistance Features

Kia places the safety of its drivers and passengers at the forefront of its design philosophy. The 2023 Sportage is a testament to this commitment, boasting a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features that actively prevent accidents and mitigate their severity. Standard features on all trims include Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, which can automatically apply the brakes if a potential collision with a car or pedestrian is detected. Lane Departure Warning helps keep you centered in your lane by issuing audible and visual alerts if you unintentionally drift. Blind-Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert utilizes sensors to detect vehicles in your blind spot and warns you when attempting to change lanes if danger is present.

Taking Safety a Step Further: Advanced Features for Enhanced Protection

For drivers seeking an even higher level of safety, higher trims of the 2023 Sportage offer an array of advanced driver-assistance technologies. Adaptive Cruise Control automatically adjusts your speed to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you, reducing driver fatigue on long journeys. Highway Driving Assist builds upon Adaptive Cruise Control by adding lane centering functionality, providing a semi-autonomous driving experience that keeps you centered in your lane while maintaining a safe following distance. These advanced features, combined with the standard safety suite, create a comprehensive safety shield for you and your loved ones on every drive.

Trim Power
LX 139KW | 187HP
(2.0-liter)
X-LINE AWD 139KW | 187HP
(2.0-liter)
SX 210KW | 281HP
(2.5-liter)
X-PRO PRESTIGE 134KW | 180HP
1.6L TURBO |4 HYBRID

Recommended