Used Kia Sportage Quick Facts
- For used buyers looking for the latest technology, safety, and style, a used 2023 or 2024 Sportage is your best bet.
- The Sportage, Kia’s best-selling model worldwide since 2016, has one of the longest standard warranties in the business.
- The compact SUV offers a wide trim range, including a powerful turbocharged model.
Kia built the Sportage as an affordable alternative to compact SUVs. Kia made sure the Sportage matched the competition to hook new buyers and then went a step further, offering features and powertrains uncommon for the segment. And, although a bit late to the party, the newest generation Sportage now includes hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. Like its rivals, the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Escape, the Sportage has grown larger over the years while remaining a stylish 5-passenger SUV with a sporty attitude, backed by one of the best powertrain warranties in the business.
- What Are the Best Years to Buy a Used Kia Sportage?
- Kia Sportage by Generation: Which Should You Buy?
- Is the Kia Sportage a Good SUV?
- Does the Kia Sportage Have a Hybrid Option?
- How Much Can the Sportage Tow?
- What Are the Most Reliable Years for the Kia Sportage?
- What Are the Worst Years for the Kia Sportage?
- Does Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile Warranty Carry Over When Buying Used?
What Are the Best Years to Buy a Used Kia Sportage?
For those looking for the latest and greatest by way of technology, safety, and style, a fifth-generation Sportage is your best bet. Opt for a 2023 or 2024 model, and you’ll save a few thousand dollars versus buying new, plus still have some part of the warranty or all of it if you purchase a Certified Pre-Owned model. Looking to save a bit more? A fourth-generation 2020-2022 Sportage brings most of the safety and tech features found on the newest Sportage but in a smaller package. This generation also offers the option of a powerful turbocharged engine. However, although the fourth-generation Sportage dates back to 2017, some models got caught up in a massive class-action engine settlement that makes them less than ideal as a used car purchase.
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Kia Sportage by Generation: Which Should You Buy?
Fifth Generation: 2023-Current
Debuting in 2023, the fifth-generation Kia Sportage grows in size and sophistication, losing its turbocharged engine but gaining hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. The interior also touts a new look, with more rear-seat legroom and cargo space, plus massive digital screens for the instruments and infotainment. The non-hybrid trims all use the same 187-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering good power and fuel economy, though not the best in class. Getting a more powerful setup, the Sportage Hybrid and Sportage Plug-in Hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) combine a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with two electric motors (all-wheel drive comes standard) for a total output of 226 and 261 hp, respectively.
Kia provides Sportage shoppers with no less than seven trims: LX, EX, X-Line, SX, SX Prestige, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige. The base LX is surprisingly well equipped and includes a full suite of driver assists, including forward collision warning and emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and rear parking distance warning. Also standard are an 8-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The EX adds more perks, like a 10-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, a blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic detection. The SX brings a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, a 12.3-inch digital cluster, driver’s seat memory, navigation-assisted adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist.
The Prestige trims add even more features, like ventilated seats, a power passenger seat, and a surround-view monitor. The X-Pro delivers a more rugged look, adding standard AWD, all-terrain tires, heated washer nozzles to prevent washer fluid from freezing, and alloy pedals.
On the safety front, the Sportage earns a Top Safety Pick accolade from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The fifth-gen Sportage is not without its issues. It has six recalls, including one for a possible engine fire due to an overheated electric oil pump, another for potential loss of power brake assist, and another for possible loss of power steering assist. You can see a complete Sportage recalls and complaints list by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. On the bright side, Kia’s warranty should cover all these issues, provided it’s still in effect.
Model-Year Changes:
2025: The EX trim gains more options, while the X-Line and X-Pro see minor cosmetic changes.
2024: No significant changes.
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Fourth Generation: 2017-2022
The fourth-generation Kia Sportage doesn’t look all that much different than the third. Think of it more as an evolution rather than a revolution. This generation Sportage gains a bit more bulk, more interior room, and better in-cabin tech; it’s also the first generation to include advanced driver assist systems, such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic detection, but only on the upper trims.
There are four trims: LX, S, EX, and SX. The LX, S, and EX derive power from a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, good for 181 hp, while the SX has a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 240 hp. Both engines carry over from the third-gen Sportage. The LX and EX trims come nicely equipped, but the SX offers desirable options such as a Harman Kardon audio system, a heated steering wheel, navigation, advanced driver-assist tech, a panoramic sunroof, and a power tailgate.
This generation also scores well in crash testing, earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick accolade.
The 2017, 2018, and some 2019 Sportage models are at the tail end of Kia’s troubles with its 2.4 and 2.0-liter Theta engines. Owners report numerous issues, from stalling and misfires to complete engine failure. Early versions of this engine are covered by an extended warranty to replace the engine if it fails, but a newer Sportage with its original 10-year/100,000-mile warranty should be covered. It’s important to understand that if you buy a used Sportage from its previous owner or a third-party dealer, the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty shrinks to five years/60,000 miles. However, if you buy a certified pre-owned (CPO) Sportage from an authorized Kia dealer, the original warranty is reinstated from the date of its first issuance.
We like this Sportage for its compact size, turbocharged engine, and advanced safety features, but we’d probably go with a 2020 or later model just to be on the safe side.
Model-Year Changes:
2022: The EX gains a panoramic sunroof while lower trims get more option packages.
2021: The Nightfall Edition joins the group, featuring blackout trim, dark gray wheels, and a unique interior.
2020: Some driver-assist features are made standard, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. The Sportage touts revised styling, a standard 8-inch touchscreen, and available LED headlights.
2019: The LX trim no longer offers emergency braking, lane departure warning, or a blind-spot monitor.
2018: Automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic detection, and lane departure warning are standard on the EX and optional on the LX.
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Third Generation: 2011-2016
The third-generation Kia Sportage has a more modern look, with narrow windows and a crouching silhouette that makes it look almost exotic. New to the Sportage is a 260-hp 2.0-liter turbo, available only on the top-line SX trim. All other Sportage trims (base, LX, and EX) use a 176-hp 2.4-liter engine.
While this generation looks tempting on paper, numerous red flags regarding the engine, transmission, and electrical systems make us hesitant to recommend it. The 4-cylinder engines have numerous issues centered around excessive oil consumption and complete engine failure. Kia issued several voluntary recalls and service bulletins, replacing many failed engines at no cost to the owner.
Previous owners also complain about a rather stiff ride.
If you do find a low-mileage third-gen Sportage you like, be sure to have a qualified Kia technician give it a complete going over. You’ll especially want to know if it had its engine replaced under warranty because the replacement engines didn’t suffer the same issues, and therefore negate a lot of our worries about these particular Sportage years.
Model-Year Changes:
2016: The EX loses its standard Infinity audio system but gains leather upholstery and a push-button start.
2015: No significant changes.
2014: Changes include a new grille, revised suspension, and direct injection for the 2.4-liter engine.
2013: The SX trim gains power-folding side mirrors.
2012: The LX gets new 17-inch wheels, while EX and SX gain the UVO hands-free calling feature.
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The Kia Sportage Early Years: First and Second Generations (1995-2010)
2005-2010: The second-generation Sportage feels a lot more sophisticated than the first. Kia took some time off between design changes, explaining the gap between model years. The second-gen Sportage is larger and more potent than the original, riding on a car-based platform instead of a body-on-frame setup. The change somewhat takes away from the Sportage’s off-road ability. Along with the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, there’s a 2.7-liter V6 option. Quality for this generation also improved, so much so that a popular rating agency picked it as one of the most reliable cars of 2009. This generation of the Sportage is too old to offer things like adaptive cruise control. Still, it comes with complete airbag protection, antilock brakes, and traction and stability control later in the run.
1995-2002: The first Sportage rides on a rugged body-on-frame platform, which makes it ideal for off-roading. Although not loaded with features, the OG Sportage had a low sticker price, helping it take hold in the American market. The first-gen Sportage features a 94-hp 2.0-liter engine sourced from Mazda and suspension tuning courtesy of Lotus. Buyers had a choice between rear-wheel or 4-wheel drive (4WD) and a manual or automatic transmission.
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Is the Kia Sportage a Good SUV?
The reliability of the Sportage depends on which years and generations you’re looking at. The newest model has its share of problems that shouldn’t plague a modern car, and Kia has quickly addressed them, covering all repairs under warranty. For the fourth-generation Sportage, we’d go with a 2020 or newer model.
Does the Kia Sportage Have a Hybrid Option?
Yes, starting with the 2023 model, Kia offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid engine options.
How Much Can the Kia Sportage Tow?
Tow ratings vary by generation. For the 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder models, towing is limited to 2,000 pounds. That figure increases to 2,500 pounds on the fifth-gen Sportage.
What Are the Most Reliable Years for the Kia Sportage?
Each generation has its good and not-so-good years. For the fifth generation, we’d stick with 2024 and newer. The fourth generation is 2020 and up.
What Are the Worst Years for the Kia Sportage?
Because of engine concerns and other problems, the third generation is probably the least desirable. However, as we stated before, if you find a used Sportage with a replacement engine, that might be a safe bet.
Does the 10-Year/100,000-Mile Warranty Carry Over When Buying Used?
Although a used Kia Sportage powertrain warranty changes from 10 years/100,000 miles to 5 years/60,000 miles, that’s still a lot of coverage. However, if you buy a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Sportage, Kia reinstates the original warranty from when the vehicle first entered service.
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