Kia · Sportage

Sportage

Released 2021

Kia's family SUV, in its fifth generation and updated for 2025, sold in the UK with a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine, as a self-charging hybrid or as a plug-in hybrid, with all-wheel drive on some hybrids.

Body: SUV
Powertrain: Petrol, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid
Power: 147–283 bhp
Range: 40–44 mi
Boot: 591 l

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the Sportage has a smart, well-equipped interior, is refined on the motorway and comes with a long warranty, and most found it roomy with a big boot, though Autocar thought cabin space ordinary. The common criticisms are engines that sound coarse when pushed, middling hybrid economy and a drive that isn't engaging; Parkers found entry-level versions noticeably cheaper inside.

From autocar.co.uk, autoexpress.co.uk, whatcar.com and parkers.co.uk

Specifications

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Performance

Powertrain: Petrol, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid
Power: 147–283 bhp
0–62 mph: 7.5–9.7 s
Top speed: 121–128 mph
Engine or motors: 1.6 T-GDi four-cylinder turbo petrol (1,598 cc), 147 bhp; hybrid 235 bhp and plug-in hybrid 283 bhp combined. Kia Europe gives 150 PS, 239 PS and 288 PS, and a 1.49 kWh battery with a 64 kW motor for the hybrid
Torque: 250 Nm (petrol, Kia Europe)
Gearbox: 6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT (petrol); 6-speed automatic (hybrid and plug-in hybrid)
Drive: Front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive on the GT-Line S hybrid and on plug-in hybrids

Range and charging

Zero-emission range (WLTP): 40–44 miles
Economy (WLTP): 91.1–104.6 mpg
Range detail: Plug-in hybrid: WLTP electric range 44 miles (2WD) or 40 miles (AWD). Kia UK's pricing page lists prices for the updated plug-in hybrid, but in September 2026 its Sportage page says a plug-in hybrid "will also be available soon"
Efficiency: WLTP combined: 7.0–7.2 l/100km (petrol), 5.6–6.4 l/100km (hybrid); plug-in hybrid weighted 104.6 mpg (2WD) or 88.2–91.1 mpg (AWD), 108–111 Wh/km. Kia UK gives petrol and hybrid figures in l/100km only
CO2 emissions: 158–163 g/km (petrol), 125–145 g/km (hybrid), 23–26 g/km (plug-in hybrid), WLTP

Practicality

Body: SUV
Seats: 5
Boot: 591 litres
Length: 4,540 mm
Width: 1,865 mm
Boot: 591 litres (petrol) or 587 litres (hybrid) with the rear seats up, 1,780 or 1,776 litres folded (Kia UK specification brochure)
Towing: 1,650 kg braked (petrol), 1,510 kg (hybrid); 100 kg tow ball load (Kia UK specification brochure)
Size: 4,540 mm long, 1,865 mm wide without mirrors, 1,645 mm high; 2,680 mm wheelbase (Kia Europe)

Tech and safety

Infotainment: 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation; 4.2-inch driver display (12.3-inch on Storm and GT-Line S); head-up display and Harman Kardon audio on GT-Line S
Driver assistance: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with junction turning; Smart Cruise Control 2, Highway Driving Assist 2 and Lane Following Assist 2; Remote Smart Parking Assist and Blind-Spot View Monitor on GT-Line S
Safety rating: 5 stars, Euro NCAP 2022
Warranty: 7 years or 100,000 miles

Pros and cons

Pros

Plug-in hybrid has 283 bhp and a WLTP electric range of up to 44 miles
591-litre boot on the petrol model (587 litres on the hybrid)
7-year or 100,000-mile warranty

Cons

Hybrid tows less than the petrol model (1,510 kg against 1,650 kg braked)
Petrol model's WLTP combined consumption is 7.0–7.2 l/100km
All-wheel drive only on the top GT-Line S hybrid and the plug-in hybrid

Closest rivals

Model	Body	Powertrain	Power	Range	Boot	Released
HyundaiTUCSON	SUV	Petrol, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid	148–284 bhp	38.2–40.7 mi	620 l	Jan 2021
LexusNX	SUV	Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid	241–305 bhp	46 mi	525 l	Sept 2021
BMWX1	SUV	Mild hybrid, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid, Petrol	148–322 bhp	50–52 mi	–	Oct 2022

Sources

Photo: kia.com

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