Kia Sportage cars for sale

Frequently asked questions about the Kia Sportage

• What is the Kia Sportage?
• A mid-sized family-friendly five-seater SUV with a wide-range of direct rivals, the Kia Sportage name has been around for over 25 years already. One of the best-selling cars in the UK is a family SUV on sale in a very competitive area of the car market - taking on all manner of mid-sized SUVs from the Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai to the Peugeot 3008, SEAT Ateca and Skoda Karoq, as well as it's sister car, the Hyundai Tucson. In fact, the Sportage itself is one of the most popular cars in the UK, having gone from being a back-to-basics 4x4 to desirable family car in around 25 years, which is an impressive turnaround.

• Which versions of the Kia Sportage are available?
• Kia’s Mk4 Sportage – or QL to use its internal codename – was introduced in 2016 continuing on from where its strongly selling predecessor left-off. Still only available as a five-door, the Sportage SUV was slightly larger, even better equipped, impeccably built and just a little bit more interesting to look at, outside at least.
  
  Such is the pace of development with Korea brands that the Sportage was facelifted in 2018, with a makeover that gave it a passing resemblance to the Porsche Macan, right down to the four dots of LED daytime-running lights on higher spec models. It was at the 2018 facelift that the petrol and diesel engines were joined by a 48-volt diesel-electric mild-hybrid to boost both efficiency and performance. Trim levels follow Kia’s usual themes of 1, 2, 3 and 4, topped by GT-Line and GT-Line S with sportier-looking overtones.

• What's under the skin?
• Clearly an evolution of its predecessor's styling, the Mk4 Sportage has bigger, bolder and arguably fussier detailing, but it remains a handsome SUV. Strip away the bodywork and you’ll find a virtually identical version of the platform that also underpins the Hyundai Tucson, including the suite of engines. Most Sportages are front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive (AWD) is also available on selected models – it’s doubtful whether many UK customers actually need that, though.

• Is it good to drive?
• It’s unlikely that you’re going to choose to drive a Sportage because of how rewarding the experience will be, but nevertheless the Kia’s neat and competent, albeit with light steering. Choose one of the lower-powered petrol or diesel versions and you’re unlikely to be enamoured by the insipid performance – it’s not a light car, after all. Overall, it’s comfy and stable, with good body control resulting in little rolling about through sweeping bends. Tidy, but unexciting.

• How much does the Kia Sportage cost?
• Kias have long-since stopped being cheap, but they are good-value for money, with high levels of standard equipment and one of the longest new car warranties available. On PCH and PCP finance they’re not always the cheapest options, though. Right now you’ll get a better deal on a Ford Kuga, for instance.