Used Kia Sportage 2016-2021 review

It would be accurate to say that the Kia Sportage is one of the cars that has led the Korean firm's revival over the past few years, and at times it has accounted for a quarter of its new car sales. This is fantastic news for used car buyers, because it means you'll have lots to choose from.

But there are plenty of other reasons aside from a vast supply as to why the fourth generation of this family SUV makes a great used buy because it is attractively styled, practical, inexpensive to buy, and many will still be covered by some of Kia's splendid seven-year-from-new warranty.

• Looking for a different generation? Read our 2021-present Kia Sportage and 2010-2016 Kia Sportage used buying guides

Engines: Under the bonnet, the initial diesel engine choices were a 114bhp 1.7-litre (the best seller in the range), or a 2.0-litre with 134bhp or 182bhp. You could also get a couple of petrols: a 128bhp 1.6-litre unit and a more powerful 174bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The engine range went through some slight revisions as part of the 2018 facelift, but the significant change was a new 1.6-litre diesel in 114bhp and 134bhp forms to replace the 1.7, and some 48V mild-hybrid tech to improve fuel efficiency on certain models in the diesel range from late 2019 onwards.

Trims and equipment: On the equipment front, there are six levels to pick from: 1, 2, 3, 4, First edition (later KX-5 and then GT-Line S) and GT-Line. We say six, but all 2.0-litre diesel versions for reasons known only to Kia were badged with a 'KX-' prefix before each number trim level, yet they didn't come with any extra kit. Fortunately, this confusing naming structure was dropped after the facelift.

The entry-level 1/KX-1 Sportage comes equipped with 16in alloy wheels, front foglights, hill start assist and descent control as standard, while inside there is air conditioning, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio and cruise control.

Upgrade to 2/KX-2 trim and you will find 17in alloys, roof rails, rear parking sensors, automatic wipers and lights, and a wider range of safety systems, while inside there is dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera and Kia's 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system, complete with sat-nav and smartphone integration.

Sportages kitted out in 3/KX-3 trim gain luxuries such as an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system, a panoramic sunroof and an eight-speaker JBL audio system, while 4/KX-4 adds ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, electrically adjustable front seats, front parking sensors, adaptive bi-xenon headlights (full LED from the facelift onwards) and keyless entry/start, along with an autonomous braking system and blindspot monitoring system.

KX-5 models gain an electric tailgate, automatic parking assistance, a wireless phone charging system and two-tone leather upholstery, while the GT-Line models add an aggressive body kit on the outside, and numerous GT-Line decals and inserts inside. The GT-Line S is basically a pre-facelift KX-5 Sportage in terms of toys, but with sportier GT-Line styling.

Ride and handling: Body lean is well controlled in corners, and there’s a good level of grip available. While the steering is pleasant enough and its handling safe and predictable, the Sportage, in common with many other SUVs in this class, isn’t especially fun to drive.

Its ride is likewise competent, even if it actually feels slightly firmer than one or two of its rivals, and it can be very unsettled by bumps and potholes on examples fitted with the larger 19in wheel option.

Refinement is good, too, especially at motorway speeds, with little in the way of wind and road noise, although the diesels emit a gravelly note around town.

Interior and practicality: Inside, the Sportage has a good driving position that caters for drivers of all shapes and sizes. The view is good, and the dashboard and surrounding areas are covered in reasonable plastics, with some matt and some shiny surfaces. It feels solidly put together, and all the controls are logically placed, but some rivals are classier inside.

There’s plenty of space up front, though, and two rear seat passengers have enough head and leg room, while three adults can sit side by side for shorter journeys.

The Sportage has a big boot, too, with a low loading lip and a large opening.

If you're interested in finding a used Kia Sportage or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.

Around £8000 will get you into an early Sportage of this generation with lots of miles on it. Up the wedge to between £10,000 and £12,000 and you’ll have your choice of trims on a 2017 car, while heading into £12,000 to £15,000 territory will net you a good 2018, 2019 or 2020 car (in some cases), bought from an independent or franchised dealer.

For a 2021 example, you'll need upwards of £16,000.

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MPG

Not surprisingly, the diesels are the most economical, with an average fuel consumption of 61.4mpg claimed for the 114bhp 1.7. The best-performing petrol engine is the base 128bhp 1.6, with a claimed average of 44.8mpg, but the proviso is that those figures were calculated tested under the older NEDC rating that was less accurate to real-world conditions than today's WLTP tests.

A smaller 1.6-litre diesel arrived in 2018 and could be had in two different flavours of tune: the 114bhp version that manages 53.3mpg, or a 134bhp alternative that does 49.6mpg. The bigger, 182bhp 2.0-litre diesel is much thirstier if it's linked to a four-wheel drive system and an automatic gearbox, and only gets a combined figure of 40.9mpg. The most powerful turbocharged 174bhp 1.6 consumes the most fuel at 32.1mpg.

CO2 emissions

The engine with the lowest CO2 emissions pre-April 2017 tax change is the 114bhp 1.7-litre diesel with 119g/km, while the 134bhp 2.0-litre produces 139g/km. Engines equipped with an automatic gearbox, and or four-wheel drive emit more CO2. A self-shifting 2.0-litre diesel jumps up to 154g/km, the while the most powerful diesel with both emits 166g/km. The two petrols don't come close to the low figures diesel models produce, so expect to pay a fair bit in road tax. The 128bhp 1.6 has a figure of 156g/km, and the 174bhp turbocharged 1.6 emits even more at 177g/km.

Road Tax

Road tax for all models registered before 1 April 2017 will vary depending upon the emissions the engine produces (see paragraph above for more information) while examples registered after this date will have the same flat rate fee for cars that cost less than £40,000 when new. The current rates are £190 a year for the road tax and £410 for the luxury car tax. To find out more about the current road tax costs, click here.

Servicing cost

Kia servicing costs compare favourably with rivals, although it should be noted that the turbocharged petrol model will be significantly more expensive to maintain than a non-turbo petrol. This is because the turbo-petrol model has shorter service intervals of just 10,000 miles or 12 months, against the 20,000 miles and 12 months of diesel and non-turbocharged petrols.

Insurance

Insurance groups vary between 12 for an entry-level 1.7-litre diesel, to 25 for a top-of-the-range 2.0-litre diesel.

Reliability

Owners of the Kia Sportage have reported strong reliability in our annual What Car? Reliability Survey, with most vehicles showing good dependability.

Minor issues were noted, such as air conditioning system faults and door rattles in early models, but these were infrequent among respondents.

The Kia Sportage's seven-year warranty is a significant factor, providing additional assurance for owners – even those without faults.

Feedback indicates that interactions with local dealerships were generally positive, but for more detailed information on the Sportage’s reliability, read our dedicated page.

Engine

On the road, the base 1.6-litre petrol engine feels a bit weedy, and while the turbocharged 1.6 gets along very nicely, it still doesn’t offer the low-down grunt of the diesels. These start with the 1.7-litre unit, which is a smooth and punchy and impressive unit, if let down a little by a hint of gruffness at lower speeds. Even the lower-powered of the two 2.0 diesels feels gutsy enough, and the higher-powered model is very lively. Both of the later 1.6-litre diesels are an improvement on the older 1.7, and their mild-hybrid tech is a useful addition because it helps improve fuel economy, but the additional expenditure needed to buy a newer version isn't worth it at the moment.

Specification

We’d seek out a Sportage in 2 trim, since this gives you some useful technology like reverse parking sensors and a back-up camera, along with some desirable safety features such as lane keeping assistance and road sign recognition software.

Our favourite Kia Sportage: 1.7 CRDi 2

The Nissan Qashqai has been a favourite for years. It’s the car that started the family SUV revolution, in many ways, and a used one is still good to drive with a classy and practical interior. It’s got a good ride and excellent refinement, too, and promises low running costs.

The Seat Ateca has taken the class by storm as an SUV that is a delight to drive. It also has a spacious interior and a good range of engines. It’s practical, rides well, if a little firmly, and looks good.

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If you're interested in finding a used Kia Sportage or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.