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Kia Sportage

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Kia Sportage Review, For Sale, Colours, Interior, Models & News

The first generation Sportage, sold here from 1997 to 2002, scored the lowest ever ANCAP crash score on record, and the second generation wasn't exactly a looker, either.

The third generation car from 2010 to 2015 improved things markedly, while the current Sportage is as far from the first generation car as it's possible to get. The medium five-door SUV is based on the Hyundai Tucson platform, but trim and spec levels - which start at the $32,995 Sportage S (fwd) and end at the $55,420 Sportage GT-Line HEV (fwd) - between the two companies means the smaller Kia brand can often outplay its bigger brother in the value stakes. The company also pioneered the seven-year warranty in Australia.

Kia Sportage Models Price and Specs

The price range for the Kia Sportage varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $32,995 and going to $55,420 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.

Year Body Type Specs Price from Price to
2024 SUV 2.0L, —, 6 SP MAN $32,995 $55,420
2023 SUV 2.0L, —, 6 SP MAN $29,590 $66,660
2022 SUV 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $28,710 $71,170
2021 SUV 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $25,850 $69,410
2020 SUV 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP MAN $21,340 $49,390
See All Kia Sportage Pricing and Specs

Kia Sportage Colours

The Kia Sportage is available in eight colours, with Clear White the only non-premium colour. Steel Grey, Gravity Grey, Fusion Black, Vesta Blue, Dawning Red, Snow White Pearl and Jungle Wood Green all attract an additional cost. The latter two colours are only available on SX+ and GT-Line grades. 

  • Clear White
  • Steel Grey
  • Gravity Grey
  • Vesta Blue
  • Dawning Red
  • Fusion Black
  • Snow White Pearl
  • Jungle Wood Green
To confirm current colour availability, please check the manufacturer's website. Shown above are the colours for the Kia Sportage 2022.

Kia Sportage Q&As

Check out real-world situations relating to the Kia Sportage here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

  • What is the towing capacity for a 2021 Kia Sportage?

    The 2021 Sportage range covers a variety of towing capacities depending on what engine and transmission are fitted and whether the example in question features all-wheel-drive or front-wheel-drive.

    So, in no particular order, the Sportage with front-wheel-drive can tow up to 1600kg with a braked trailer, the AWD petrol can tow 1500kg, the AWD diesel has a towing maximum of 1900kg and the facelifted 1.6-litre petrol with the dual-clutch transmission can cope with 1650kg (all with the same braked trailer).

    With a trailer with no brakes, the maximum towing capacity for any 2021 Kia Sportage is 750kg.

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  • What is the correct tow-ball weight for my 2023 Kia Sportage?

    The allowable maximum tow-ball weight for the Sportage will have been calculated by Kia using all the available information from the car's weight distribution to the spring rates, the ride height and wheelbase measurements and even the way the rear structure of the car is physically constructed. So that's what you should stick to and, yes, 100kg is the official tow-ball weight for this vehicle.

    The theory that holds that tow-ball weight should be 10 per cent of the towed weight (while the reality for a lot of makes and models) is really just that; a theory, a rule of thumb, and definitely not a hard and fast rule. As such, there's nothing to force car-makers to stick to it. Which is why Kia hasn't for the Sportage.

    There's another school of thought in other countries that the tow-ball weight should actually be closer to five per cent of the towed mass, at which point the Kia's limit starts to make more sense.

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  • Cracked transmission case on a 2016 Kia Sportage

    This situation will turn out very differently depending on whether the car is still under Kia's factory warranty, or an aftermarket warranty sold by the dealership when the car was bought by your daughter. It will also depend on whether the cracked transmission case was due to a flaw or something thrown up off the road (which would count as accidental, not warranty, damage).

    Kia extended its factory warranty to new, privately-owned cars on October 1, 2014. Which means the car in question was covered to that extent. With that in mind, the car should, indeed, be covered by Kia's factory warranty (until next year) so there should be no quibbling about a failure like this one that has had nothing to do with the way the car has been used or serviced. My experience is that Kia is pretty good at this stuff, figuring that its long-term reputation is more valuable than fixing an – often – rare fault. And even though your daughter was not the first owner of the car, the factory warranty is transferable to subsequent owners. Provided, that is, that the car has been serviced and maintained correctly.

    If, however, the car is covered only by the aftermarket warranty, then you'll be in for a huge fight as these aftermarket warranties are rarely worth the paper they're printed on. The fine-print is full of clauses and conditions that allows the car dealer to wriggle out of their responsibility, and we simply don't recommend these warranties under any circumstances.

    As for the fault itself, it's pretty rare to hear about something like a transmission case fracturing. Perhaps there was a manufacturing or casting flaw in that particular unit that has taken its time to surface and cause the failure. As for what you should do, the answer is simple: Take it back to the dealership you bought it from and make sure it's fixed properly according to the terms of Kia's own warranty. Don't be afraid to be a bit patient, and always give the dealership (or Kia) every chance to put things right before you instigating legal action or contacting the ACCC.

    If Kia expresses any doubt over what caused the failure, an independent inspection (perhaps by the NRMA) will be able to determine what caused the casing to fracture and, therefore, whether it's a warranty or insurance job.

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  • What's the price of a Kia Sportage?

    The Kia Sportage SX starts at $35,000 in manual form and $37,000 for the automatic variant. The better equipped, more powerful GT-Line petrol version is available only as an automatic and costs $49,370. Those prices do not include on-road costs which will vary from state to state and even region to region.

    The current Sportage was launched in 2021, so we can possibly expect a mild facelift sometime in the 2023 calendar year. But being such a new design, the upgrades are not likely to be major ones, so there’s no reason to hold off buying now or when supply allows.

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See All Kia Sportage Q&As
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Kia Sportage Boot Space

The Kia Sportage has 543 litres (VDA) of boot space with the second row up, or 1829L with the second row lowered.

Kia Sportage Boot space Kia Sportage Boot space
Shown above are boot space details for the Kia Sportage 2022.

Kia Sportage Interior

All Sportage variants have a leather-appointed steering wheel, and the S and SX have cloth seat trim. The SX+ has artificial leather and the GT-Line has leather-appointed seats with artificial suede. 

The base S has an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen, and this increases to a 12.3-inch multimedia setup in higher grades. 

The interior is more spacious than the previous Sportage thanks to a stretched wheelbase. 

The second row has comfortable seats, lower air vents, two USB-C ports, map pockets, storage nooks, and a slot for a phone or tablet in back of front head rests. 

Shown above are interior details for the Kia Sportage 2022.

Kia Sportage Dimensions

The dimensions of the Kia Sportage SUV vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.

Year Body Type Height x Width x Length Ground Clearance
2024 SUV 1665x1865x4660 mm 181 mm
2023 SUV 1665x1865x4660 mm 181 mm
2022 SUV 1665x1865x4660 mm 181 mm
2021 SUV 1645x1855x4485 mm 172 mm
2020 SUV 1645x1855x4485 mm 172 mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Kia Sportage Dimensions

Kia Sportage Accessories

Standard equipment in the Kia Sportage includes single-zone air conditioning for the base S and dual-zone for the other grades, a cargo cover, two USB chargers in the front tray, two 12-volt outlets, power windows, trip computer, an alarm, follow-me-home headlights, four cupholders, remote central locking with boot release, and child restraint anchorage points. 

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth are standard on lower grades and higher grades gain DAB digital radio and wired CarPlay. 

Higher grades feature remote folding second row seat, paddle shifters, a hands-free power tailgate and privacy glass.

Shown above are the accessory details for the Kia Sportage 2022.

Kia Sportage Towing Capacity

The Kia Sportage has maximum towing capacity of 1900kg for the latest model available.

Year Body Type Braked Capacity from Braked Capacity to
2024 SUV 1650kg 1900kg
2023 SUV 1650kg 1900kg
2022 SUV 1650kg 1900kg
2021 SUV 1500kg 1900kg
2020 SUV 1500kg 1900kg
See All Towing Capacity for Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage Fuel Consumption

The Kia Sportage is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by Diesel, — and ULP fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 6.3L/100km for SUV /Diesel for the latest year the model was manufactured.

Year Body Type Fuel Consumption* Engine Fuel Type Transmission
2024 SUV 6.3L/100km 2.0L Diesel 8 SP AUTO
2024 SUV 7.7L/100km 2.0L 6 SP MAN
2023 SUV 6.3L/100km 2.0L Diesel 8 SP AUTO
2023 SUV 7.7L/100km 2.0L 6 SP MAN
2023 SUV 7.7L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
2022 SUV 6.3L/100km 2.0L Diesel 8 SP AUTO
2022 SUV 7.7L/100km 2.0L 6 SP MAN
2022 SUV 7.7L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
2021 SUV 6.4L/100km 2.0L Diesel 8 SP AUTO
2021 SUV 7.9L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
2020 SUV 6.4L/100km 2.0L Diesel 8 SP AUTO
2020 SUV 7.9L/100km 2.0L ULP 6 SP MAN
* Combined fuel consumption See All Kia Sportage Pricing and Specs for 2024

Kia Sportage Seats

The Kia Sportage is a five-seater, with two in the first row and three in the second. No seven-seat option is available. The rear seat is 60/40 split fold.

Kia Sportage Seats
Shown above are seat details for the Kia Sportage 2022.

Kia Sportage Wheel Size

The Kia Sportage has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 235x65 R17 for SUV in 2024.

Year Body Type Front Tyre Size Front Rim Rear Tyre Size Rear Rim
2024 SUV 235x65 R17 235x65 R17
2023 SUV 235x65 R17 235x65 R17
2022 SUV 235x65 R17 235x65 R17
2021 SUV 225x60 R17 225x60 R17
2020 SUV 225x60 R17 17x7 inches 225x60 R17 17x7 inches
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Kia Sportage Wheel Sizes

Kia Sportage Speed

The Kia Sportage doesn't have an official 0-100km/h claim, but performance depends on the chosen engine.

Shown above are speed details for the Kia Sportage 2022.