Kia's Sportage SUV boasts remarkable elegance and features for its small size. While still affordable, the Sportage received a complete facelift in 2023, making it one of the most distinctive-looking SUVs on the road. Front- or all-wheel-drive Sportages are powered by 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines. Kia also has hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, which we assess individually. Despite its recent facelift, we expect Kia will redesign the Sportage again for 2025 based on its product cycle. Some minor adjustments may include trim updates and rearranging standard and optional items. How does Sportage drive? The Sportage struggles in daily driving. The somewhat off-road-focused X-Pro trim we tried, with its all-terrain tires, makes on-road handling softer, but power is more important. The Sportage test car took over 9.5 seconds to reach 60 mph on the freeway, seconds behind class leaders. No other engines are available save the Sportage Hybrid, which we suggest.
The engine complicates most driving situations. The transmission constantly searches for the best gear to optimize power, so the driver must plan passing movements ahead of time. Otherwise, the steering was precise and the brakes responsive. Changing the engine would improve the experience.Kia's Sportage has lots of driver aids and innovation. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and many USB-A and -C ports in both rows are standard. Our test vehicle has 12.3-inch instrument cluster and infotainment displays and a wireless charging station. Our test Sportage's onboard navigation is easy to use, but it lacks live traffic information. When moving, touchscreen inputs lock out.
Sportage driver aids include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, surround-view monitor, and parking assist. We enjoy how it works in practice. The adaptive cruise maintains good gaps without tapping the brakes, and none of the collision systems gave incorrect alerts. Smart Park using the key fob pulls the Sportage out or into a parking slot. A cool party trick.