Makes›Kia›Sportage

Kia Sportage

23 model years from 2005 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Kia Sportage
Pictured: 2025 Kia Sportage S front only. Photo: LuvsMG481, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2005–2027
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Latest engines
1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl
Best MPG
22–43 combined, by year
Latest rating
★★★★★ (2025)
Recalls
23 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2017 (403)
Fewest problems
2022
Interest
18,177 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2026 Sportage in brief

The 2026 Kia Sportage is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 184 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,618 lb (AWD 4dr SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 42 MPG combined (41 city / 44 highway), 39% better than the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG, for an estimated $1,600 a year in fuel.

It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

The Kia Sportage has 23 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2027, classed as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD.

Its most efficient year was 2025 at 43 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 22 to 43 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the engine (1,523), unknown or other (429), electrical system (427).

Buying used? 2022 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2017 is the year to avoid.

2023 has the most recalls (7); all years together count 23 campaigns and 2,967 owner complaints.

How the 2005 Sportage compares

The 2005 Kia Sportage is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 2.7L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 172 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,527 lb (4dr SUV AWD EX-V6).

About the Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV manufactured by the South Korean manufacturer Kia through five generations. At its launch in 1993, the nameplate was used for a vehicle produced under a joint venture with Mazda, and shared its platform with the Mazda Bongo.

From the Wikipedia article "Kia Sportage", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

2026 Sportage pros & cons

Full 2026 details →

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 42 MPG combined — 39% better than the average 2026 small SUV (30.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Best and worst years to buy used

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

Compare head to head

Compare the Sportage with any other car →

Sportage changes by model year

  1. 2023
    • New body dimensions: 7.1 in longer, wheelbase +3.6 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
    • New hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions
    • Engines added: 1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl
    • Engines dropped: 2.4L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
    • Best combined MPG up from 26 to 43
  2. 2018
    • Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
  3. 2017
    • New body dimensions: 1.6 in longer, wheelbase +1.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
    • Best combined MPG up from 23 to 26
  4. 2014
    • Best combined MPG down from 25 to 23
  5. 2011
    • New body dimensions: 2.8 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
    • Engines added: 2.4L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
    • Engines dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.7L 6-cyl
    • Best combined MPG up from 22 to 25
  6. 2006
    • Lightest version 273 lb lighter

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 23 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20271.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl41 MPG184.3 in3,618 lbNot rated01
20261.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl42 MPG184.3 in3,618 lbNot rated140
20251.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl43 MPG183.5 in3,543 lb★★★★★174
20241.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl43 MPG183.5 in3,543 lb★★★★★3110
20231.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl43 MPG183.5 in3,543 lb★★★★★7309
20222.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo26 MPG176.4 in3,739 lb★★★★★146
20212.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo26 MPG176.4 in3,739 lb★★★★★254
20202.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo26 MPG176.4 in3,739 lb★★★★★2164
20192.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo25 MPG176.4 in3,739 lb★★★★★271
20182.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo26 MPG176.4 in3,739 lb★★★★★3165
20172.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo26 MPG176.4 in3,739 lbNot rated4403
20162.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo23 MPG174.8 in3,426 lbNot rated2134
20152.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo23 MPG174.8 in3,426 lbNot rated2146
20142.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.4L 4-cyl23 MPG174.8 in3,488 lbNot rated3123
20132.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo25 MPG174.8 in3,488 lbNot rated3375
20122.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo25 MPG174.8 in3,157 lbNot rated5376
20112.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo25 MPG174.8 in3,157 lbNot rated6141
20102.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl22 MPG172 in3,527 lbNot rated217
20092.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl22 MPG172 in3,527 lbNot rated354
20082.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl22 MPG172 in3,527 lbNot rated362
20072.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl22 MPG172 in3,527 lbNot rated137
20062.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl22 MPG172 in3,527 lbNot rated041
20052.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl22 MPG172 in3,527 lbNot rated024
Best combined MPG by model year — Kia Sportage
2005: 22 MPG2006: 22 MPG2007: 22 MPG2008: 22 MPG2009: 22 MPG2010: 22 MPG2011: 25 MPG2012: 25 MPG2013: 25 MPG2014: 23 MPG2015: 23 MPG2016: 23 MPG2017: 26 MPG2018: 26 MPG2019: 25 MPG2020: 26 MPG2021: 26 MPG2022: 26 MPG2023: 43 MPG2024: 43 MPG2025: 43 MPG2026: 42 MPG2027: 41 MPG20052008201120142017202020232026max 43 MPG

Alternatives to the 2026 Sportage

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2026 Toyota RAV443 MPGNot rated2
2026 Honda CR-V40 MPGNot rated2
2026 Hyundai Tucson38 MPGNot rated6
2026 Subaru Forester35 MPGNot rated4
2026 Mazda CX-526 MPGNot rated0
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee23 MPGNot rated6

Most common owner-reported problems

Engine1,523
Unknown Or Other429
Electrical System427
Power Train190
Fuel/Propulsion System130
Service Brakes, Hydraulic128
Service Brakes123
Vehicle Speed Control113
Owner complaints by model year — Kia Sportage
2005: 242006: 412007: 372008: 622009: 542010: 172011: 1412012: 3762013: 3752014: 1232015: 1462016: 1342017: 4032018: 1652019: 712020: 1642021: 542022: 462023: 3092024: 1102025: 742026: 402027: 120052008201120142017202020232026max 403
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →