The 2022 Kia Sportage is an aging crossover SUV kept current through various styling improvements and technology upgrades. Although it now lags behind class leaders in the areas of fuel economy, interior room, and quietness, the Sportage still has a few aces to play, starting with its impressive standard 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
The Sportage also has a bit of an upper hand when considering its standard and optional equipment for the price. Not many compact crossovers offer ventilated front seats or a heated steering wheel, and even fewer can match the awesome power of the SX Turbo trim’s 240-horsepower engine.
All-wheel drive is optional. However, unlike many competitors that have moved to use a Continuously Variable Transmission, or CVT, the Sportage employs a 6-speed automatic, giving it another leg up when it comes to towing or off-road use. Find a Kia Sportage for sale
2022 Kia Sportage LX (Starting at $24,090)
For an entry-level trim, the 2022 Kia Sportage LX has a rather generous standard equipment list. Of course, this is the key to Kia’s success, offering well-equipped models for less than their competitors and backed by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Like the EX and Nightfall Edition, the LX uses a 2.4-liter gas engine good for 181-horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. If you want the 240-horsepower turbocharged engine, you’ll have to jump all the way to the top SX Turbo trim to get it.
Front-wheel drive is standard, with the option to upgrade to Kia’s Dynamax full-time all-wheel drive. A $1,500 option, Kia’s Dynamax AWD includes a locking mode for even distribution of power between the front and rear axles. The AWD models also get a different front fascia with a 28-degree approach angle, plus fog lights and a compact spare tire.
A quick look around the LX’s exterior reveals a very non-base-model vibe, with 17-inch alloy wheels, body-colored door handles and power side mirrors, rear privacy glass, and a rear spoiler. Little bits of chrome trim around the windows and back bumper add the finishing touch.
Inside, the Sportage LX offers cloth seating in a choice of black or gray. One nice thing about the Sportage’s interior colors is the exterior paint choice does not limit them. That’s not the case with competitors like the Subaru Crosstrek.
Standard features include power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, manual air conditioning with rear-seat vents, cruise control, and a tilt/telescoping steering column. The 60/40 split rear seats can be folded to create a surprisingly roomy cargo bay and include a rear center armrest with cup holders.
Entertainment comes from a 160-watt, 6-speaker audio system controlled via an 8-inch touchscreen. The system incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth phone and music streaming. As mandated for all new cars now, a rearview camera is standard.
On the safety front, the LX includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. A driver attention warning system alerts the driver they may be needing to pull over and take a break.
A full complement of airbags includes front, front side, and front and rear side curtains. The LX does not come with a spare tire but instead with a tire mobility kit that includes tire sealant and a 12-volt air compressor. A temporary spare is available.
Optional on the LX trim is the $2,100 Value Package that adds a windshield wiper de-icer, 18-inch alloy wheels, power-folding heated outside mirrors, and a power driver’s seat with lumbar support. Heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity key fob with push-button start, and welcome lighting are included, as are YES Essential stain-resistant seats, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The LX with the Value Package has just about everything you could ask for in an affordable compact SUV, making it a great value.
Figuring in the $1,175 destination fee, the 2022 Kia Sportage LX costs $25,265. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing, the monthly payment comes to $460. Find a Kia Sportage LX for sale
2022 Kia Sportage LX includes:
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — Allows integration of an Apple or Android smartphone, bringing control of apps, maps, music, messaging, and more, all via voice activation or through the 8-inch touchscreen.
- Automatic emergency braking — This system monitors cars or people that may pose a collision hazard and alerts the driver. If the driver fails to slow down, the system can apply the brakes and, in some low-speed situations, bring the vehicle to a stop.
- Air conditioning with rear seat vents — Everyone loves air conditioning, but rarely do rear-seat passengers get their own vents, especially on a base model vehicle. Bravo, Kia.
- Lane-departure warning — Monitors lane markers on the road and warns the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane with an audible and visual cue.
2022 Kia Sportage Nightfall Edition ($28,090)
The Nightfall Edition employs the same 2.4-liter engine and optional all-wheel-drive setup as the LX but brings more style and standard content. The Nightfall Edition includes all of the LX’s standard equipment plus a power driver’s seat, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, power-folding heated side mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer.
Also standard is a panoramic sunroof (reduces interior headroom by about one inch), a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, leatherette faux leather upholstery, and LED interior lighting.
The Nightfall Edition further distinguishes itself with numerous piano black styling elements, including front and rear skid plates, bumper garnish, fog lamps surrounds, and side-sill moldings.
The Nightfall Edition Premium Package ($2,000 FWD, $1,800 AWD) brings dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity key with push-button start, and welcome lighting. Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, heated front seats (standard with all-wheel drive), a wireless charging pad, unique 18-inch wheels, Kia UVO telematics, and SiriusXM satellite radio round out the package.
With destination, a standard Nightfall Edition with no options lists for $29,265. Using our 60-month loan calculator and 3% financing charge, the Nightfall Edition will have a monthly payment of $526, which is just $66 more each month than the Sportage LX. Find a Kia Sportage Nightfall Edition for sale
2022 Kia Sportage Nightfall Edition includes:
- Panoramic glass sunroof — This vast glass panel covers the front and rear seats and can open to allow in the rushing wind or vented when just a bit of air is necessary. A power sunshade quickly closes off the panel when desiring less light.
- Blind-spot monitor — this system monitors the Sportage’s driver and passenger side blind spots and alerts the driver when a vehicle is approaching or driving into either zone.
- Windshield wiper de-icer — Heating elements in the windshield’s lower portions come on when the defroster is activated, helping keep ice from building up on the wiper blades.
- Available Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go — This adaptive cruise control system allows the Sportage to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead. Should traffic slow, the Sportage will keep pace, even coming to a complete stop and then resuming once the vehicles ahead begin to move again.
2022 Kia Sportage EX ($28,390)
On its face, the EX trim doesn’t appear to offer that much more in the way of standard equipment, basically including the features from the LX Value Package and then adding upgrades such as the panoramic sunroof, a proximity-activated power tailgate, unique 18-inch alloy wheels, and other interior and exterior styling cues.
However, if you’re not a fan of the SX Turbo’s somewhat lackluster fuel economy but still want all the high-tech goodies associate with that trim, the EX’s Technology Package is the perfect solution.
The Technology Package adds $3,560 to the EX’s bottom line. Still, for that sum, buyers get a 320-watt Harman Kardon audio system with a powered subwoofer, navigation, heated and ventilated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, and a compact spare tire (replaces the tire mobility kit). Also included are an 8-way power passenger seat, a heated steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, and leather upholstery.
Figuring in the $1,175 destination and no other options, a 2022 Kia Sportage EX costs $29,565. The monthly payment on a 60-month loan at 3% comes to $531, just $5 more than the Nightfall Edition. Find a Kia Sportage EX for sale
2022 Sportage EX includes
- Smart power liftgate — Allows easy access to the rear cargo area without using your hands. Stand a few feet from the liftgate with the key fob in your pocket, and the power door automatically opens.
- LED interior lighting — Offers a brighter, cooler light that also uses less energy.
- Available Harman Kardon audio — With 320-watts, eight speakers, and ClariFi technology, the Sportage EX’s optional Harman Kardon audio is a music lover’s best reason to upgrade trims.
- Available ventilated front seats — Using fans to circulate cool air around the occupant’s legs and back, the Sportage’s optional ventilated seats helping reduce sweating on sweltering days.
2022 Kia Sportage SX Turbo ($33,750)
For those who favor power over fuel economy, the Sportage SX Turbo’s 240-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is the way to go.
Feature-wise, the SX Turbo is pretty much loaded, meaning it comes standard with everything in the EX Technology Package. Specific to the SX is a sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting for the headlights, taillights, and fog lights, plus a 4.2-inch LCD color cluster display, SX interior and exterior styling cues, and a black headliner.
The SX Turbo also adds one additional interior color choice — beige.
When equipped with all-wheel drive, the Sportage SX Turbo’s fuel economy is a measly 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. The front-drive version does a bit better at 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, but still, that’s about the lowest fuel economy in this class.
The 2022 Kia Sportage SX Turbo with destination retails for $34,925. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing, the SX will have a monthly payment of $628, or nearly $100 more each month than the lesser-equipped EX. Find a Kia Sportage SX Turbo for sale
2022 Kia Sportage SX Turbo includes:
- 2.0-liter turbocharged engine — With 240 horsepower (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque, this engine can make the little Sportage move like a high-priced performance SUV. Just don’t expect excellent fuel economy.
- Sport suspension — The SX’s sport suspension stiffens the ride a fair bit and vastly improves cornering and stability.
- LED headlights — Provide a brilliant light pattern nearly as good as most cars with their high beams on.
- 19-inch alloy wheels — These look great and also come with 19-inch tires that improve handling and dry-road traction.
