Makes›Kia›Sportage›2010

2010 Kia Sportage

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.

Kia Sportage
Pictured: 2025 Kia Sportage S front only. Photo: LuvsMG481, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD LX-V6 Luxury, 4dr SUV FWD LX, 4dr SUV FWD LX-V6
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
22 combined · 20 city / 25 hwy
Length
171.3–172 in
Curb weight
3,254–3,527 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Few owner complaints17 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 51 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2010 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 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 LX-V6 Luxury).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (20 city / 25 highway), 6% better than the 2010 SUV - average of 20.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.

What changed for 2010

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2009 Sportage — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 Sportage →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD LX-V6 Luxury172 in70.9 in66.5 in103.5 in61 / 60.6 in3,527 lb59/41
4dr SUV FWD LX171.3 in70.9 in66.5 in103.5 in61 / 60.6 in3,254 lb59/41
4dr SUV FWD LX-V6171.3 in70.9 in66.5 in103.5 in61 / 60.6 in3,351 lb59/41

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sportage 2WD2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive20 / 25 / 22+6%$3,050404
Sportage 2WD2.0L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive20 / 25 / 22+6%$3,050404
Sportage 4WD2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spd4-Wheel Drive19 / 24 / 21+15%$3,200423
Sportage 2WD2.7L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive18 / 23 / 20-3%$3,350444
Sportage 4WD2.7L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel Drive18 / 23 / 20+9%$3,350444
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.7 MPG2010 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Kia Sportage under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2010 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2010 Kia Sportage (this car)22 MPGNot rated2
2010 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated6
2010 Toyota RAV424 MPGNot rated14
2010 Honda CR-V24 MPGNot rated15
2010 Hyundai Tucson26 MPGNot rated4
2010 Subaru Forester22 MPGNot rated17
2010 Volkswagen Tiguan21 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (2)

Safety advisory: 1 recall for this model year carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module · Sep 25, 2023 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 23V652000 · 1,730,192 vehicles

Problem
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch · Apr 1, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · 980,377 vehicles

Problem
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2010 Kia Sportage is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

17Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
3Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
5Injuries reported
96,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Air Bags3
Unknown Or Other2
Service Brakes2
Engine2
Seat Belts2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)2
Electrical System1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/01: 118/01: 218/06: 118/07: 118/09: 118/10: 220/03: 121/02: 123/12: 224/01: 124/02: 224/04: 124/05: 117/0118/0618/0920/0323/1224/0224/05max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2010 Kia Sportage buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Service Brakes, Hydraulic — 4 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  4. Air Bags — 3 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  5. Service Brakes — 2 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 96,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Kia Sportage. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Sportage years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Sportage41184.3 inNot rated01
2026 Sportage42184.3 inNot rated140
2025 Sportage43183.5 in★★★★★175
2024 Sportage43183.5 in★★★★★3110
2023 Sportage43183.5 in★★★★★7309
2022 Sportage26176.4 in★★★★★146
2021 Sportage26176.4 in★★★★★254
2020 Sportage26176.4 in★★★★★2164
2019 Sportage25176.4 in★★★★★271
2018 Sportage26176.4 in★★★★★3165
2017 Sportage26176.4 in★★★★★4404
2016 Sportage23174.8 in★★★★★2134

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