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2019 Kia Sportage

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2019 models.

Class: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles: AWD 4dr SUV, AWD Turbo 4dr SUV, FWD 4dr SUV
Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower: 181–240 hp
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats: 5
Fuel: Regular Gasoline
MPG (best): 25 combined · 23 city / 30 hwy
Length: 176.4 in
Curb weight: 3,596–3,997 lb
NHTSA rating: ★★★★★
Recalls: 2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Strong performanceUp to 240 hp, versus about 184 hp for similar 2019 models.
AWD / 4WD available
5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Few owner complaints71 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 285 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 20 similar 2019 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2019 Kia Sportage is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 176 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,739 lb (AWD 4dr SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (23 city / 30 highway), 0% better than the 2019 small SUV average of 25.1 MPG, for an estimated $2,700 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2019

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2018 Sportage — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2018; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2018 Sportage →

Trims, performance & features

Engine181 hp2.4L 4-cyl

Engine240 hp2.0L turbo 4-cyl

DriveAWD/4WD

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

LXEXSX

Safety & driver-assist features

Blind-spot monitoringStandard

Lane departure warningSome trims

Parking assistSome trims

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

Keyless startStandard

Built in: Gwang-Ju, South Korea

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2019 Sportage configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
AWD 4dr SUV	176.4 in	73.2 in	65 in	105.1 in	63.4 / 63.4 in	3,739 lb	59/41
AWD Turbo 4dr SUV	176.4 in	73.2 in	65 in	105.1 in	63.4 / 63.4 in	3,997 lb	59/41
FWD 4dr SUV	176.4 in	73.2 in	65 in	105.1 in	63.4 / 63.4 in	3,596 lb	59/41

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

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
Sportage FWD	2.4L 4-cyl	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	22 / 29 / 25	0%	$2,700	358
Sportage FE FWD	2.4L 4-cyl	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	23 / 30 / 25	0%	$2,700	353
Sportage FWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	21 / 26 / 23	-8%	$2,900	392
Sportage AWD	2.4L 4-cyl	Automatic (S6)	All-Wheel Drive	21 / 25 / 23	-3%	$2,900	397
Sportage FE AWD	2.4L 4-cyl	Automatic (S6)	All-Wheel Drive	21 / 25 / 22	-8%	$3,050	400
Sportage AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S6)	All-Wheel Drive	20 / 23 / 21	-12%	$3,200	424

5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

5/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Spend $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

25.1 MPG2019 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2019 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2019 Kia Sportage SUV FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	4★ / 5★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	15.5%
2019 Kia Sportage SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	4★ / 5★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	14.7%

StandardElectronic stability control

OptionalForward collision warning

OptionalLane departure warning

Frontal crash test — 2019 Kia Sportage SUV FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Side crash test — 2019 Kia Sportage SUV FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2019 small SUVs

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2019 Kia Sportage (this car)	25 MPG	★★★★★	2
2019 Toyota RAV4	40 MPG	★★★★★	8
2019 Honda CR-V	30 MPG	★★★★★	8
2019 Hyundai Tucson	26 MPG	★★★★★	1
2019 Subaru Forester	29 MPG	★★★★★	3
2019 Mazda CX-5	29 MPG	★★★★★	2
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan	25 MPG	★★★★★	5

Recalls (2)

Safety advisory: 2 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.

Trailer Hitches · Sep 19, 2022 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 22V703000 · 70,887 vehicles

Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A 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 inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module · Mar 4, 2021 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 21V137000 · 379,931 vehicles

Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2019 Kia Sportage is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

71Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

3Involved a crash

3Involved a fire

4Injuries reported

32,000 miTypical mileage at failure

Engine37

Unknown Or Other15

Electrical System10

Power Train7

Fuel/Propulsion System7

Service Brakes3

Exterior Lighting3

Air Bags3

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2019 Kia Sportage buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
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.
Engine — 37 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
Electrical System — 10 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Power Train — 7 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 32,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2019 Kia Sportage. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Sportage years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall	Recalls	Complaints
2027 Sportage	41	184.3 in	Not rated	0	1
2026 Sportage	42	184.3 in	Not rated	1	40
2025 Sportage	43	183.5 in	★★★★★	1	75
2024 Sportage	43	183.5 in	★★★★★	3	110
2023 Sportage	43	183.5 in	★★★★★	7	309
2022 Sportage	26	176.4 in	★★★★★	1	46
2021 Sportage	26	176.4 in	★★★★★	2	54
2020 Sportage	26	176.4 in	★★★★★	2	164
2018 Sportage	26	176.4 in	★★★★★	3	165
2017 Sportage	26	176.4 in	★★★★★	4	404
2016 Sportage	23	174.8 in	★★★★★	2	134
2015 Sportage	23	174.8 in	★★★★★	2	146

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