Used Kia Sportage for sale: everything you need to know
The Kia Sportage is a regular in the UK’s best-sellers list, for many of the same reasons the Nissan Qashqai also appears in the top ten: it’s a thoroughly sensible, practical, and most importantly affordable family SUV. The Kia specifically is also bolstered by one of the longest warranties in the business at seven years, which means even used buyers get to benefit from the reassurance of a factory warranty.
The Sportage is now in its fifth generation, the most recent model having arrived in 2021. It looks and drives sharper than ever but hasn’t lost any of the utility that made previous generations popular. Keep reading to find out more about the Sportage, its trim levels, and its engine range.
Should you buy a Kia Sportage?
The Kia Sportage is pretty easy to recommend as a used car. Even before you get to the model’s plentiful qualities, you have to appreciate the brand’s seven-year warranty, which means that at the time of writing, not just all used current-generation Sportages have several years left, but you can buy a previous-generation model and still have the security of a few years of factory cover.
That previous generation was a pretty good car in its own right, but the latest one takes another step on. It’s sharper to look at, has a smarter and more modern interior (taking its cues from the likes of the high-tech Kia EV6 electric car), and has a wide choice of engines, including regular petrol and diesels all the way to full hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.
Efficiency is pretty good across the board and all the engines drive well, though it’s the full hybrids that are the smoothest. The PHEV gets 43 miles of EV range, so some drivers may be able to do a full day’s commuting on electric power alone. The Sportage is otherwise nothing special to drive, but it rides well and has good refinement, which will be more important than the fun factor for most buyers. It’s spacious too, and the infotainment is a doddle to use.
The Hyundai Tucson is the Korean sister brand’s closest equivalent to the Sportage and offers a very similar mix of talents, while the Nissan Qashqai, that other UK best-seller, is another great all-rounder. The Ford Kuga is a fine-driving alternative, while the Peugeot 3008 and Renault Austral (the latter similar under the skin to the Qasqhai) offer some style with their practicality. You shouldn’t overlook the excellent Skoda Karoq either.
What’s the best used Kia Sportage model to buy?
The sweet spot in the Sportage range is probably somewhere in the middle, since ‘3’ trim gets equipment including heated seats, part faux-leather trim, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a 12.3-inch media display. Engine-wise, the regular petrol and diesel models will do the trick for most owners - petrol will suit those who don’t cover many miles, diesel for higher-mileage drivers. Automatic means mild-hybrid tech from the off, but while the full hybrids are efficient, bear in mind they’ll cost a little more to buy - and that the PHEV will need plugging in to really deliver its best economy.
Used Kia Sportage fuel economy and performance
- Kia Sportage 1.6T GDI: With a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine and no hybrid element you get 150PS and a six-speed manual gearbox. The combination returns 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds, and 42.2mpg combined.
- Kia Sportage 1.6T GDI 48v DCT: Automatic models get mild-hybrid technology but no more power. Even so, 0-62mph drops to 9.3 seconds, and economy is 44.1mpg - while all-wheel drive is optional.
- Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDI: As per the petrol there’s a turbocharged, non-hybrid 1.6-litre doing diesel duty. It makes 115PS and with a six-speed manual gearbox gets from 0-62mph in 11.7 seconds. Economy is 54.3mpg combined.
- Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDi 48v DCT: Once again the automatic model also gets mild-hybrid tech, but does get a little more power at 136PS. 0-62mph takes 11 seconds flat and economy is 54.3mpg combined.
- Kia Sportage 1.6T GDI HEV: The full-hybrid Sportage uses a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, with a seven-speed auto, electric assistance, and 229PS combined. 0-62mph takes only 7.7 seconds, and economy is either 49.6mpg for the front-wheel drive car, or 44.1mpg for the all-wheel drive.
- Kia Sportage 1.6T GDI PHEV: Add a plug and you also add power, with more powerful electric motors assisting the PHEV to 265PS. Performance is actually a touch behind the HEV at 7.9 seconds to 62mph, but 43 miles of EV range contributes to 252mpg combined.
What used Kia Sportage trim levels are available?
Kia’s familiar numbered trim levels make an appearance here, as do its GT-Line trims and their mildly sporty theme. Given the performance of the hybrid and plug-in models a sporty trim line is less inappropriate here than it might have been on older Sportage models, but the emphasis is still very much on comfort and equipment rather than emulating a proper performance SUV.
- The Kia Sportage 2 is where the range starts. It gets a decent level of equipment and comes only with the basic petrol and diesel engines, and a manual gearbox.
- The Kia Sportage GT-Line has a mildly sporty appearance and is the first model in the range to be offered with all engines.
- The Kia Sportage 3 sits in the middle of the range and gets more equipment than the cars below it, but is also available across all engines.
- The Kia Sportage 4 adds further luxury touches but its engine range is slimmer, offered only with the mild and full hybrid options.
- The Kia Sportage GT-Line S packs a lot more equipment and gets a few sporty styling touches. Powertrain options include everything but the non-hybrid petrol engine, or either of the diesels.
Used Kia Sportage dimensions and boot size
The Kia Sportage's exterior dimensions are:
- Length: 4515mm
- Width: 1865mm
- Height: 1650mm
- Ground clearance: 181mm
The Kia Sportage's boot size is:
- 591 litres (petrol and diesel models)
- 587 litres (full hybrid)
- 540 litres (plug-in hybrid)
Used Kia Sportage road tax
For non-hybrid vehicles, annual VED is set at £190 per year for the 2024/2025 tax year, while the hybrids are £10 cheaper. If the original owner somehow spent more than £40,000 on their Sportage though, beware, as this is the threshold at which a surcharge is applied from the second to sixth years of registration - lifting the bill up to £600 a year, or £590 for hybrids.
How much is it to insure a Kia Sportage?
Sportage insurance starts relatively low, at insurance group 15 for a car in ‘2’ trim with the non-hybrid diesel engine. Go further up the range and insurance tops out at group 26 for some of the higher-spec plug-in hybrids.
