Should you buy a Kia Sportage?

Yes, the Kia Sportage is an easily recommendable safe-bet family SUV. It makes for a refined and smart pick and does very little wrong. It’s more comfortable than an equivalent Nissan Qashqai and has a nicer interior than a Ford Kuga. Kia’s great (but no longer class-leading) seven-year warranty is also huge draw and further reinforces the Sportage as a rational purchase.

A light update for 2025 keeps it in contention for the top of the family SUV class, with a versatile line-up of powertrains and some small but meaningful updates to keep it competative. Other than pure electric power or diesel, you really can guarantee that there’s a model to suit you whether you want front- or four-wheel drive, plug-in hybrid power, hybrid power or otherwise. The plug-in hybrid model is admirably efficient, too. We managed to get 80mpg out of the system without really trying. Just remember to keep the battery charged up, and you’ll reap the rewards at the pumps.

Yes, the aging Ford Kuga is nicer to drive, and the Hyundai Tucson (which shares its underpinnings with the Sportage) offers more boot space. But there is so much logic backing the Sportage that it’s impossible to ignore. 

What is it?

The Kia Sportage has been around since 1995 and in that time has evolved at a dramatic pace. Early models were crude and unrefined compact SUVs, but the rate of improvement into a smart, practical and refined family SUV is a huge achievement. This is the fifth generation Kia Sportage and has been on sale since 2022 with a light update in 2025 to help keep things fresh.

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There are new headlights and revised bumpers, but it’s a light refresh externally. Inside, the Sportage has a slimmer dashboard, and new steering wheel complete with paddle shifters for the first time on automatic models. These can be used to adjust the brake regeneration or change the gears manually, depending on what driving mode you’re in. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wireless for the first time too and it’s now running the latest version of Kia’s infotainment system.  

Small changes maybe, but why upset the applecart? The formula is clearly working. The Sportage regularly makes a podium appearance on the UK’s bestselling new car list and these small changes should help keep it afloat an against an ever-expanding group of rivals.

There’s a stampede of of mid-sized family SUVs out there, ranging from the Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai through to the Volkswagen Tiguan and a fresh wave of Chinese rivals to tackle – often boasting lower prices, fiercely aggressive finance options, and shockingly-lavish standard equipment lists. If Kia is going to stay in the game against the cold hard cash appeal of the Omoda 5 and Jaecoo 7, it needs to keep the Sportage competitive. 

As part of its refresh, the line-up has been simplified to three trim levels – Pure, GT-Line and GT-Line S. Each trim level is available as either a mild or full hybrid for now, a refreshed plug-in hybrid model is due later in 2025. Diesel options were dropped a while ago, meaning the Sportage is only available as a mild hybrid, full hybrid or plug-in hybrid model.

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The entry-level Pure has a 12.3” touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a plethora of safety equipment. GT-Line models gain LED headlights, heated front seats a heated steering wheel and some glossy black exterior details.

Top-line GT-Line S models have a 12.3” drivers display, head-up display, powered boot lid, panoramic sunroof, Harmon Kardon sound system and ventilation for the front seats.

To find out exactly how good it is, click through our comprehensive Kia Sportage review. We’ll tell you if it’s good to drive, how spacious it is, what it’ll cost you and how plush it is inside. If you’d like to learn how we came to these conclusions, you can find out how we test cars.