Skip advert
Advertisement
Road tests

Kia Sportage 1.6 diesel MHEV 2020 review

The smallest diesel in the Kia Sportage's range now comes with 48-volt mild-hybrid tech

Overall Auto Express rating

3.5

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£2,391 off RRP*
Find your Kia Sportage
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Verdict

Mild-hybrid tech doesn’t transform the Kia Sportage into a class-leader; it’s much the same as before, and the 48-volt system doesn’t bring any night-and-day improvements to running costs. It’s still pleasant enough to drive, if not a match for the Ford Kuga, but generous kit levels and Kia’s brilliant warranty – backed up by excellent Driver Power scores – will make it stress-free to live with.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Sportage has been given the mild-hybrid treatment for 2020. It’s part of a wider electrification strategy for the Korean brand, which involves launching seven new dedicated full EVs by 2027, a hydrogen fuel cell car by 2025 and a host of plug-in hybrids in the meantime.

So this Sportage is at the conservative end of the emissions-busting masterplan, then. It starts with the 1.6 CRDi diesel, which loses an alternator and gains a belt-driven starter/generator unit. This harvests energy from the engine when coasting and charges a 0.44kWh 48-volt battery. This lets the engine switch off more readily and start up instantly when power is needed, and can even deploy a little torque boost under acceleration to reduce load on the engine itself.

All of this helps to save fuel. In official tests, the Sportage 48V manages between 47.9mpg and 52.3mpg depending on trim, and CO2 emissions of between 141g/km
and 155g/km – an improvement over the Sportage’s old 1.7-litre unit, but similar to the non-hybrid Peugeot 3008 diesel.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Sportage

2023 KIA

Sportage

29,957 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £23,374
View Sportage
Sportage

2023 KIA

Sportage

31,379 milesManualPetrol1.6L

Cash £20,633
View Sportage
Sportage

2021 KIA

Sportage

51,521 milesManualPetrol1.6L

Cash £14,597
View Sportage
Sportage

2021 KIA

Sportage

36,000 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £17,511
View Sportage

The engine is a little more gruff than some rivals’, but it settles down at a cruise. Its performance is fine for the class, too. 

What this powertrain does lack is Kia’s latest iMT transmission. We recently tried this new clutch-by-wire system in the Ceed, and it only highlighted how much the Sportage needs the tech. Here, the regular clutch engages sharply, and when combined with an inconsistent throttle response makes it frustratingly tricky to control at parking speeds.

Advertisement - Article continues below

We were hoping for slightly better fuel returns, too. The stop-start system that’s supposed to give more engine ‘off time’ didn’t engage very often. 

The new system adds little weight to the package, so this model drives much like the rest of the Sportage range: a little firmer than the class average, but with safe handling and precise, well weighted steering.

The 48-volt battery sits under the boot, robbing underfloor storage and cutting overall load volume by 52 litres to 439 litres. Passenger space is unaffected in a cabin that’s just starting to feel its age; the design lacks the sense of occasion of a 3008, and some plastics feel a little cheap. Still, the seats are comfortable and the infotainment is among the class best.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

As well as adding mild-hybrid tech, Kia has also simplified the Sportage line-up. Buyers can choose the 48-volt diesel with front- or four-wheel drive, and petrol buyers have a choice of a 1.6-litre petrol – either turbocharged (174bhp) or not (130bhp).

The engines are split across four trim levels. The most basic 2 trim is now so well equipped that there’s little point in spending more on a higher specification; 17-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, heated seats front and rear, and an eight-inch touchscreen system with sat-nav and smartphone connectivity are standard.

An extra £3,000 gets the 3-trimmed model we’re testing and its 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, leather seats, sunroof and heated steering wheel. Range-topping
GT-Line and GT-Line S models gain sportier styling, and the latter adds niceties such as a JBL hi-fi and ventilated front seats.

At first glance, the Sportage looks cheap, too. The mild-hybrid diesel model starts from £25,150 and the range as a whole kicks off at £23,445 for the basic petrol.

Kia currently offers a £2,500 discount to buyers choosing to finance a Sportage on a PCP contract, which means that this 3 mild-hybrid diesel costs £368 per month over a three-year deal and with a 10 per cent deposit. However, Ford currently offers zero-per cent finance on its Kuga, so a 148bhp mild-hybrid diesel Titanium only costs £6 per month more.

Model:Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDi 48V 3
Price:£28,455
Engine:1.6-litre 4cyl diesel
Power/torque:134bhp/320Nm
Transmission:Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
0-60mph:10.8 seconds
Top speed:112mph
Economy:47.9mpg
CO2:153g/km
On sale:Now
Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief reviewer

Alex joined Auto Express as staff writer in early 2018, helping out with news, drives, features, and the occasional sports report. His current role of Chief reviewer sees him head up our road test team, which gives readers the full lowdown on our comparison tests.

New & used car deals

KIA Sportage

KIA Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,391 off RRP*Used from £15,600
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £2,028 off RRP*Used from £12,500
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £18,185Avg. savings £4,364 off RRP*Used from £9,800
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,895
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

KGM Actyon K50 long-term test: Budget SUV’s boot size punches well above its weight
KGM Actyon K50 long-term test - header

KGM Actyon K50 long-term test: Budget SUV’s boot size punches well above its weight

Long-term tests
20 May 2025
Kia EV6 review
Kia EV6 - main image

Kia EV6 review

In-depth reviews
19 May 2025
Peugeot E-3008 GT long-term test: a great motorway mile-muncher
Peugeot E-3008 long-termer fleetwatch

Peugeot E-3008 GT long-term test: a great motorway mile-muncher

Long-term tests
19 May 2025

Most Popular

Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution
Connecting charger to Hyundai Tucson PHEV

Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution

Half a million extra PHEVs could reach UK roads by 2030 in place of cleaner EVs due to changes surrounding the ZEV Mandate
News
19 May 2025
New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return
Ford Fiesta exclusive image

New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return

The Ford Fiesta could be coming back as an electric car, and here’s everything we know so far
News
20 May 2025
Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots
Opinion - Kia

Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots

Mike Rutherford thinks new cars are simply too expensive, but some manufacturers are starting to do something about it
Opinion
19 May 2025