Kia Sportage S 2025 review: snapshot

EXPERT RATING
7.0

Likes

Svelte styling
Sorted ride
Spacious backseat and boot

Dislikes

Slightly weird slow-speed steering
Feels under-specced in cheaper models
No smarter engine options offered
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

1 min read

The S opens the four-model Kia Sportage line-up, and it’s available only with a 2.0-litre petrol or 2.0-litre diesel engine. There are turbo-petrol and hybrid powertrains offered elsewhere in the range, but the entry-level Sportage misses out.

Still, the S gets 17-inch alloys, LED DRLs, power-folding mirrors and roof rails, while inside there are cloth seats, power windows, a smart key and push-button start and single-zone air-con with rear-seat vents.

Tech at this level is handled by a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but no wireless charging, which pairs with a six-speaker stereo. The driver then gets a 4.2-inch screen to deliver driving info. 

All Sportage grades start with seven airbags, and even the cheapest S gets a pretty full suite of safety stuff, including a new SOS Button should you have an accident, AEB with junction sensing, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep and lane follow assist, a rear-view camera and the always-infuriating speed limit monitoring.

Read the full 2025 Kia Sportage review

Kia Sportage 2025: S (Fwd)

Engine Type Inline 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency 8.1L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $34,320 - $40,920
Safety Rating

Pricing Guides

$47,554
Based on 404 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$30,977
HIGHEST PRICE
$65,581
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

CarsGuide contributing journalist Andrew Chesterton is an award-winning Australian automotive reporter with more than 20 years of experience across newspapers, magazines, digital publishing and automotive corporate communications. Andrew began his journalism career at Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, reporting across business, courts, crime, property and state politics before moving into automotive journalism. He joined Top Gear Australia as its online editor in 2008, later being appointed editor of Top Gear New Zealand. He subsequently worked as an assistant editor during the Australian launch of the Daily Mail Australia, and as communications manager at FCA Australia, now Stellantis. His experience on both sides of the media industry gives him an unrivalled understanding of the automotive industry, and the relationship between car manufacturers, the media, and Australian consumers. Andrew’s work has appeared across leading automotive, news, business, luxury, travel and lifestyle publications, including CarsGuide, EV Central, DMARGE, The Sydney Morning Herald, Marie Claire, Top Gear, GQ Australia, The Australian, WISH Magazine, Boss Hunting, The West Australian, The Nightly, Women’s Day Australia, Carsales, NRMA, Men’s Health, CEO Magazine, Australian Financial Review and more.   Andrew specialises in industry news, vehicle reviews, policy,  performance and luxury cars, electric vehicles, automotive technology, EVs hybrid and plug-in hybrids, and the broader Australian new-car marketplace. In 2025, Andrew was named Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year and was a finalist for the overall Journalist of the Year award. Earlier honours include Website of the Year wins at the Australian Magazine Awards and ACP Awards, the ACP Rising Star Award and recognition in the Bauer Media and News Ltd journalism awards. Expertise Electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles Performance, luxury and supercars New-car reviews and road testing Australian automotive industry and new-car sales Chinese automotive brands and emerging manufacturers Utes, SUVs and family vehicles Automotive technology Policy Awards 2025 Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year Featured Publications CarsGuide EV Central DMARGE The Sydney Morning Herald Marie Claire Top Gear GQ Australia The Australian WISH Magazine Boss Hunting The West Australian The Nightly Women’s Day Australia Carsales NRMA Men’s Health CEO Magazine Australian Financial Review The Daily Telegraph The Sunday Telegraph Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$30,977
Lowest price, based on CarsGuide listings over the last 6 months.
For more information on
2025 Kia Sportage
See Pricing & Specs

Have you considered?

Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi Outlander
BYD Atto 3
BYD Atto 3
Mahindra XUV700
Mahindra XUV700
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai Inster
Hyundai Inster
Suzuki S‑Cross
Suzuki S‑Cross
Volkswagen T‑ROC
Volkswagen T‑ROC
Kia Sportage
Kia Sportage
Skoda Karoq
Skoda Karoq
Nissan X‑TRAIL
Nissan X‑TRAIL
Honda ZR‑V
Honda ZR‑V
Leapmotor B10
Leapmotor B10
Mitsubishi ASX
Mitsubishi ASX
Geely Starray Em‑I
Geely Starray Em‑I
Toyota Corolla Cross
Toyota Corolla Cross
Mazda CX‑5
Mazda CX‑5
Chery Tiggo 8 PRO MAX
Chery Tiggo 8 PRO MAX
Renault Arkana
Renault Arkana
Renault Symbioz
Renault Symbioz
Forthing Taikon 5
Forthing Taikon 5
Subaru Crosstrek
Subaru Crosstrek
Chery E5
Chery E5
Suzuki Vitara
Suzuki Vitara
KGM Ssangyong Torres
KGM Ssangyong Torres
Renault Koleos
Renault Koleos
Volkswagen T‑Cross
Volkswagen T‑Cross
Nissan Qashqai
Nissan Qashqai
GWM Haval H6
GWM Haval H6
Mazda CX‑30
Mazda CX‑30
MG HS
MG HS
BYD Sealion 5
BYD Sealion 5
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Kona
Honda HR‑V
Honda HR‑V
GWM Ora 5
GWM Ora 5
BYD Atto 2
BYD Atto 2
Jaecoo J7
Jaecoo J7
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Renault Duster
Renault Duster
Skoda Kamiq
Skoda Kamiq
Toyota Yaris Cross
Toyota Yaris Cross
Kia Seltos
Kia Seltos
MG ZS Hybrid+
MG ZS Hybrid+
Mazda CX‑3
Mazda CX‑3
Check out more SUVs
CarsGuide Logo

Rival reviews

Mazda CX-5 2024 review: G35 Akera Turbo Petrol AWD
7.6/10
Hyundai Tucson 2025 review: Elite Hybrid N Line AWD
8.1/10
Toyota RAV4 2025 review: Hybrid Cruiser 2WD
8.4/10

Comments