No pricing data available at this time. Our Opinion - 2025 Kia Sportage Review Small crossover SUVs are highly popular due to their stylish design and spacious interiors. The Kia Sportage stands out with a wealth of impressive standard features, a wide range of options, ample space, and remarkable versatility, making it an excellent choice in this category. The Sportage is cheap, but it has a 187-hp four-cylinder engine that isn’t as powerful as the Sportage Hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which we look at separately. It comes with front-wheel drive. Higher trim levels come with all-wheel drive as standard, but all trim levels except the SX can choose not to have it. The Sportage costs less than cars like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5, which are similar. The Sportage was updated for 2023 and now has the newest and most stylish Kia cars. It is a lot like its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Tucson, in terms of size, powertrains, and the way the cars are built. Still, the Sportage looks more stylish than its rival with a more traditional design. What's New? Kia’s best-selling car has some small changes. But why get in the way of something good? Pros and Cons Pros Beautiful style. Elegantly designed and beautifully furnished cabin. An interior with ample space. Cons Slow acceleration. Not staying with either HVAC or media consistently. The PHEV manages just 34 miles of EV range. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The Sportage comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 187 horsepower as standard. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission, and you can choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The blend model is something else we look at separately, but it is also out there. The X-Pro grade comes with some off-road gear, but the small ute looks more off-road in rougher trims like the X-Line. It has all-terrain tires and black 17-inch wheels, and it has a number of drive modes. Safety There are a number of basic and optional driver-assistance technologies that come with the 2017 Sportage. On the long list are adaptive cruise control based on navigation and a remote parking feature that works a lot like Hyundai’s Smart Park system. The following are important safety features: Automatic emergency brakes and standard forward collision warnings. Normal lane exit warning and help staying in your lane. Cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitors are available for the back. Internal and External Cargo Capacity The Sportage’s clean interior, which is emphasized by a big digital screen on the dashboard and other noticeable features, has an impact. The inside has an eye-catching two-tone color scheme, but you can also choose an all-black cabin. You can push the “start” button and turn the shift knob on the center panel. There are also a number of other controls that blend into the piano-black edge. It takes up 40 cubic feet of space behind the back seat of the Sportage, and there is plenty of legroom for people. You can do even more with a two-tiered storage floor. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG The EPA says that Sportage models with front-wheel drive get 25 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. Models with all-wheel drive get 23 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel-drive Sportage X-Pro Prestige got 31 mpg on our route, which went 75 mph. Infotainment and Connectivity There are nice entertainment systems that come with the Sportage, like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Along with the standard 8.0-inch navigation screen, all models come with a digital gauge display. You should upgrade to the bigger infotainment screen, which is 12.3 inches across and has better graphics and internet. Below the infotainment screen, some simple touch-sensitive buttons let you switch between the radio and the heating system. You can get a wireless phone charger, a Wi-Fi hotspot with a contract, or a better Harman/Kardon unit. Range, Charging, and Battery Life During our first test drive, we tried both the hybrid and the base four-cylinder engines. The hybrid engine was better for us. On our test track, the non-hybrid Sportage moved slowly. It took 9.1 seconds for it to hit 60 mph, while only 7.4 seconds for the hybrid. Towing and Payload Capacity While small crossovers aren’t usually good for pulling, the Kia Sportage can pull up to 2,500 pounds when an aftermarket trailer brake controller is added. Price and How to Choose The mid-range EX is the best deal in this case. It has a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen screen, wireless charging for smartphones, and heated front seats, all of which are nice.
