Kia Sportage (2016-2021) review

The outgoing Kia Sportage is well-equipped, stylish and practical, making it a solid all-rounder for family buyers

Overall Auto Express Rating

3.5 out of 5

Price
£29,320 to £38,720
  • Well-equipped
  • Great infotainment system
  • Seven-year warranty
  • Not the most fun to drive
  • Thirsty petrol engines
  • Bland interior
Find your Kia Sportage
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Advertisement

The Kia Sportage is a great all-round family SUV with a combination of good engines, strong build quality, a keen driving experience and plenty of interior space. Now in its fourth generation, the Sportage also boasts a unique look, up-to-date infotainment and decent value. Standard equipment is generous and Kia’s famous seven-year warranty only adds to the appeal.

Rivals like the Mazda CX-5 and Peugeot 3008 are better to drive and offer a more premium feeling package, but both carry much larger price tags; the Sportage stands as a good-value family SUV with much to recommend it.

About the Kia Sportage

The fourth generation Kia Sportage was launched in 2016, into a marketplace packed with more high quality rivals than any of its predecessors were ever forced to contend with. The seemingly unstoppable rise of the SUV/crossover class means Kia now pitches the Sportage against models as varied as the Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai, Ford Kuga, Renault Kadjar, Suzuki Vitara, Mazda CX-5 and SEAT Ateca.

Kia offers the Sportage for sale in two- and four-wheel drive guise as before. The engine lineup for the model range has been realigned, with a 1.6-litre petrol available in two power outputs and a same capacity diesel unit with mild-hybrid technology.

Visually, the latest Sportage has what it takes to turn heads in a fashionable sector, especially if you can afford a higher-spec model with the classier trim finishes. Trim levels have been streamlined to include 2, 3, GT-Line and GT-Line S variants and all are well equipped.

The now entry-level 2 equipment level brings 17-inch alloy wheels, heated leather seats, cruise control, dual-zone air-conditioning, and an eight-inch touchscreen with sat nav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a reversing camera.

Paying extra for the 3 trim level nets you 19-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, electric adjustment for the front seats, a heated steering wheel and black exterior trim. GT-Line and GT-Line S variants add fancy extras like 19-inch alloy wheels, a power tailgate and an enhanced audio system.

Former Audi designer, Peter Schreyer, remains in charge of design at Kia and is responsible for the second-generation Sportage’s stylish look. In our opinion, there are hints of premium SUVs like the BMW X1, Volkswagen Tiguan and even – from some angles – the Porsche Cayenne in this design.

However, very few of the Sportage's rivals can get close to this Kia’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty that also applies to all models in the Kia line-up. Only the SsangYong Korando (seven years and 150,000 miles) and Toyota RAV4 (up to 10 years or 100,000 miles) beat Kia's generous offering.

If you're looking to buy a Kia Sportage, why not visit our sister site buyacar.co.uk for the latest deals...

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.6 GDi ISG 1 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £19,490

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.6 CRDi ISG 2 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £28,320

Fastest

  • Name
    1.6T GDi ISG GT-Line 5dr DCT Auto [AWD]
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • Price
    £28,800

Most Popular

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’
Opinion - Fiat Scudo
Opinion

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’

With some huge savings to be had, Mike Rutherford thinks a van could be the perfect vehicle
3 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month
Skoda Superb Estate - front tracking
News

Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month

The Superb is one of our favourite estates and our Deal of the Day for Monday 4 December
4 Dec 2023
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023