Kia Sportage used cars for sale

Kia Sportage buying guide

What Kia Sportage trim levels are there?

The following information is for the 2022-onward Kia Sportage. The range kicks off with the entry-level ‘2’ model, before progressing through GT-Line, 3 and finally the top-spec GT-Line S.

Sportage ‘2’ models may be entry level, but they still get 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, front-and-rear parking sensors, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and an 8-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system. Safety kit includes automatic emergency braking which can detect pedestrians and cyclists, plus lane-keeping assist.

Next up is the GT-Line model, which gets some sportier black exterior styling features, bigger 19-inch alloy wheels (18 inches if you pick a hybrid model), and a bigger 12.3-inch infotainment system. It also gets suede-effect seats, keyless ignition and a leather steering wheel.

Stepping up from GT-Line to a ‘3’ model, you get 18-inch alloys and a 12.3-inch digital dashboard which pairs nicely with the larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen. This gives the Sportage’s interior a really modern feel – the screens almost appear to form one continuous curved display. You also get heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. 

Top-spec GT-Line S models keep the sporty looks of a GT-Line model but add cooled front seats (great on hot summer days), an electric-opening boot, plus an optional black roof.

Kia Sportage interior and technology

There’s no doubt that the 2022-onward Kia Sportage is a big technological leap over its predecessor, thanks mainly to an all-new infotainment system and a large digital dashboard in top-spec models.

That said, most Sportage models also get a cool trick – there’s a panel of virtual buttons underneath the infotainment screen, which can act as a row of shortcuts for the climate control or the infotainment screen. You can flick between the two sets of functions by tapping one of the buttons. It’s high-tech, but it also changes the function of the volume knob, so you might be trying to turn up the radio but end up turning up the cabin temperature!

Otherwise, the infotainment system is top-notch in the Sportage. The screen is sharp, clear and easy to use, and the only negative is that you have to plug your smartphone in to use the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Some rivals will let you use these systems wirelessly.

Interior space is very good – the latest Sportage has more rear legroom than the previous model (and the rear seats do recline on most models), and the boot is much bigger than before at nearly 600 litres for most models. It’s worth noting that boot space is noticeably reduced on hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, because batteries take up the under-boot space.

Kia Sportage engine range explained

Most popular! Kia Sportage 1.6-litre T-GDi

Petrol’s very much in vogue at the moment, and Kia’s 1.6 T-GDi is a torquey turbocharged engine that puts out 148hp. It’s more than quick enough to keep up on the motorway, and 42mpg isn’t bad for a petrol SUV. This engine is also available with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system – essentially a beefed-up electric starter motor that can contribute to the engine’s power when you’re pulling away. It helps improve fuel economy a little, but you wouldn’t miss it if you could only find the regular 1.6 petrol without it.

Kia Sportage 1.6-litre CRDi

If you want more mpg from your Sportage and do lots of motorway journeys, go for the 1.6 CRDi. The name might sound a bit rude when you say it aloud, but it’s an efficient diesel with 113hp. What it lacks in performance it makes up for in economy, getting an officially claimed 53mpg.

Kia Sportage 1.6 Hybrid

This is a ‘self-charging’ hybrid that you don’t have to plug in. It’s pokey with a combined 230hp from a 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 60hp electric motor. It’s a good choice if you want a taste of electric driving, but it will only travel on electric-only power for very short distances.

Kia Sportage 1.6 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

The PHEV version of the Sportage has an impressive 265hp, thanks to a powerful 90hp electric motor and a 180hp petrol engine. It’ll do about 35-40 miles of pure-electric driving, and it can easily sit at 70mph on electric power alone. It’s the most expensive flavour of Kia Sportage, and the mass of the battery means it weighs a not-inconsiderable 400kg more than a regular petrol Sportage – which in turn can mean the PHEV feels jiggly over bumps.