One of the most selling and popular compact crossovers in the segment, the Kia Sportage is back for 2020, with some slight updates and improvements over its previous year model. The Sportage was famed for its cavernous Interiors, superb ride quality, and great noise insulation. Kia has on top of this, made additional upgrades to the existing unit.
Plush Ride Quality
Cavernous Space on the Inside
Long List of Creature Comforts
Superior Noise Insulation from the outside
Average MPG figures
Average Cargo Capacity
Cosmetic Changes on the Outside
Additional Safety Features
Standard 8” Touchscreen Infotainment System
Standard Apple Car Play, Android Auto support
$6,900 / 24 mpg
Bountiful, UT
$10,479 / 24 mpg
Warrenton, VA
$8,000 / 24 mpg
Pinconning, MI
$9,985 / 22 mpg
Williston, VT
$13,888 / 25 mpg
Linden, NJ
$9,995 / 22 mpg
Louisville, TN
$8,700 / 22 mpg
Albany, NY
$16,387
Coconut Creek, FL
$23990
4dr SUV
5
FWD
144 cu.in.
181 hp @ 6000 rpm
175 lbs.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
6 speed automatic
Unibody
105.1 in.
176.4 in.
73 in.
64.4 in.
3305 lbs.
6.4 in.
60.1 cu ft.
2000 lbs.
8.5 sec.
23/26/30 mpg
377.2 mi.
492 mi.
5 yr./ 60000 mi.
10 yr./ 100000 mi.
5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
6.8
OVERALL RATING
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MSRP: $23,550 - $34,645
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MSRP: $26,125 - $39,425
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MSRP: $25,190 - $37,155
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MSRP: $31,545 - $49,195
$23,990 - $25,490
| Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A) | Starting at $23,990 MSRP | (23/26/30) | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm, 2.4 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 6-speed shiftable automatic | front wheel drive | 5 | |
| LX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 6A) | Starting at $25,490 MSRP | (23/26/30) | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm, 2.4 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 6-speed shiftable automatic | all wheel drive | 5 |
$26,140 - $27,840
| Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A) | Starting at $26,140 MSRP | (23/26/30) | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm, 2.4 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 6-speed shiftable automatic | front wheel drive | 5 | |
| S 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 6A) | Starting at $27,840 MSRP | (23/26/30) | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm, 2.4 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 6-speed shiftable automatic | all wheel drive | 5 |
$27,290 - $28,790
| Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 6A) | Starting at $27,290 MSRP | (23/26/30) | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm, 2.4 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 6-speed shiftable automatic | front wheel drive | 5 | |
| EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 6A) | Starting at $28,790 MSRP | (23/26/30) | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm, 2.4 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 6-speed shiftable automatic | all wheel drive | 5 |
$33,590 - $35,090
| Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SX Turbo 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) | Starting at $33,590 MSRP | (23/26/30) | 240 hp @ 6000 rpm, 2 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 6-speed shiftable automatic | front wheel drive | 5 | |
| SX Turbo 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) | Starting at $35,090 MSRP | (23/26/30) | 237 hp @ 6000 rpm, 2 L, Inline 4, regular unleaded | 6-speed shiftable automatic | all wheel drive | 5 |
Overall Rating
Standard with the 2020 Sportage, all models now get a standard 8” Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple Car Play and Android Auto. The AWD units, get unique front fascia and a different shade for the alloys as well. On the safety front, Kia has upped the ante with the standardisation of features like Forward Collision Assist, Lane Keep Assist and more across the range. Mechanically, the Sportage remains unchanged but with the reshuffling of the trims, the Sportage gets the powerful 2.0L Turbocharged 4 Cylinder motor, in just the Top of the line SX Turbo trim.
5.7/10
Features
6.0/10
Engine and Performance
7.2/10
Interior
Kia has slightly reshuffled the nomenclature of the trims of the 2020 Sportage. The base LX, S and the EX trim, source their power from a 2.4L Naturally aspirated Motor and the New Top of the Line SX Turbo trim, sources its power from the powerful 2.0L Turbocharged 4 Cylinder motor. You will get an 8” Touchscreen Infotainment system as standard across the range, as well as Apple Car Play and Android Auto. You can opt for the AWD on all of the trims and an FWD setup is standard across the range.
|
Trim |
LX |
S |
EX |
SX Turbo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP (FWD) |
$23,990 |
$25,990 |
$27,190 |
$33,490 |
|
MSRP (AWD) |
$25,490 |
$27,690 |
$28,690 |
$34,990 |
|
Key Features |
Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist |
Adds/Upgrades to LX |
Adds/Upgrades to S |
Adds/Upgrades to EX |
|
|
8” Touchscreen with Rear View Camera |
Flat Bottom Steering wheel with paddle shifters |
Dual-Zone Auto Temperature Control |
8” Touchscreen Infotainment System with Navigation, Wireless Charger |
|
|
Android Auto, Apple Car Play |
Power Folding ORVM’s and Roof Rails |
Smart power liftgate |
Panoramic Sunroof |
|
|
Fog Lights with Gloss Black Trim and Black Chrome Bar |
Dark Chrome Trim 18” Alloy Wheels |
Smart Key with Push-Button Start and Smart Welcome |
Front and Rear Parking Assist System |
|
|
The unique front fascia on AWD version with 28 Degree approach angle |
Blind Spot Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision warning |
Auto De-Fog System |
Harman Kardon Audio System with Subwoofer |
|
|
|
Sofino Premium Leatherette Seats with Heated Front Seats |
Heated Front Seats, 10 Way Power Adjust Driver’s Seat with 2 Way Power Lumbar |
Leather Seat Trim with Ventilated Front Seats, Front Power passenger seats |
Which trim to choose?
If you are not a performance-hungry guy and want a well balanced and decently powerful SUV, the S trim will suit your bill the best. It offers a good mix of creature comforts and convenience features and is loaded with Safety tech.
Mechanically, the 2020 Kia Sportage remains unchanged over its predecessor. The Sportage continues to be offered with 2 Engine Options- A Naturally Aspirated 2.4L Motor and a 2.0L Turbocharged Motor. However, unlike last year, the Powerful 2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 Motor that pushes out 240hp and 260lbs.-ft. Of torque can be just found on the top of the line SX Turbo trim only.
The Turbocharged Motor feels the punchier of the two motors on offer and is definitely the one to go for if you are looking to make your office commutes, a tad more exciting. The Base 2.4L Naturally Aspirated Motor feels decently powerful and offers decent power delivery for your daily commutes.
All the trims and the Engines come paired to the same 6 Speed electronically controlled Automatic transmission with overdrive mode. The unit feels decently quick to respond although, not as quick as the DSG’s found in the VW’s.
|
Models |
Kia Sportage LX |
Honda CR-V LX* |
Mazda CX-5 sport* |
Volkswagen Tiguan S* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$25,035 |
$25,395 |
$25,395 |
$25,290 |
|
Engine |
2.4L Naturally Aspirated Inline-4 |
2.4L I-4 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC |
2.5L DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder |
2.0L TSI DOHC Turbocharged 4-Cylinder |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
|
Transmission |
6-speed automatic |
CVT automatic |
6-speed automatic |
6-speed automatic |
|
Power (hp @ rpm) |
181@6,000 |
184@6400 |
187@6,000 |
184@4,400 |
|
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) |
175@4,000 |
180@3,900 |
185@3,250 |
221@1,600 |
*2019 Figures used for reference purposes only
In comparison with its rivals, the Sportage stands at par with the others in the segment. The CX-5 offers the most power among the base trims of all the cars and is followed by the VW and Honda. The Kia stands the last in terms of power but not by a big margin. The VW offers the most torque, considering the turbocharged motor as standard. The Mazda comes in next and is followed by the Honda and the Kia respectively.
The Sportage lives up to its athletic name and doesn’t really disappoint us when it comes to sportiness and vigor. Despite having lower power and torque figures than it’s rivals, the 2020 Kia Sportage is much faster than its competitors. The juicy acceleration of the Sportage allows it to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 8.0 seconds. Moreover, the quarter-mile time of the Kia Sportage is the best at 16.0 seconds followed by 16.6 seconds of the Mazda CX-3 Sport.
|
Models |
Kia Sportage LX |
Honda CR-V LX* |
Mazda CX-5 sport* |
Volkswagen Tiguan S* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0-60 MPH (sec) |
8.0 |
8.6 |
8.9 |
8.3 |
|
Quarter Mile (sec) |
16.0 |
16.7 |
16.6 |
17.0 |
| Top Speed (MPH) | 125 | N/A | 130 | N/A |
|
Engine |
2.4L Naturally Aspirated Inline-4 |
2.4L I-4 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC |
2.5L DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder |
2.0L TSI DOHC Turbocharged 4-Cylinder |
|
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year) |
6.8 |
6.3 |
6.5 |
8.0 |
From the emissions point of view, the Kia Sportage is at 3rd less polluting vehicle with 6.8 tons/year emissions. On the other hand, Honda CR-V LX is titled as the least polluting car among the competition with an annual emission of 6.3 tons.
One of the main features of the Sportage is that it handles like a charm. The South Korean car offers a sweet balance between the ride and handling quality. Along with a responsive throttle response, the SUV performs extremely well while talking on corners.
Additionally, in comparison with the previous models of the Kia Sportage, the suspension system of the 2020 version gets modified and eliminates typical impacts from reaching inside the cabin. Moreover, the SUV’s AWD variants are braced very well to tackle off-road challenges and snowy road conditions.
With a low curb weight on hands and a good braking setup, the 2020 Sportage from Kia manages to stop from 60-0 mph in just 114 ft. This is made possible by the highly efficient 12.0-inch brakes at the front and 11.9-inch brakes at the rear. Moreover, the 60-0 mph distance of Sportage is better than both the Honda’s CR-V LX and Mazda’s CX-5 Sport.
|
Model |
Kia Sportage LX |
Honda CR-V LX* |
Mazda CX-5 sport* |
Volkswagen Tiguan S* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Brake Rotors Front (in) |
12.0 |
11.1 |
11.7 |
12.3 |
|
Brake Rotors Rear (in) |
11.9 |
10.2 |
11.9 |
11.1 |
|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3305 |
3307 |
3541 |
3721 |
|
60-0 MPH (ft) |
114 |
117 |
126 |
124 |
Taking the rivals into the picture, you will find that the Sportage, clearly beats all its adversaries by a comfortable margin. That is partly due to the low curb weight and the big brakes on the Kia. The Honda stays true to its dynamic nature and comes in 2nd, in the braking department. The CX-5, comes in a distant 3rd, despite its good dynamics.
While Cargo Capacity may not be a big buying factor for customers looking for vehicles of these segments, the Sportage won’t disappoint people looking for the same. The 2000lbs towing capacity ranks as one of the best in class and the Kia doesn’t run out of breath while towing similar loads.
|
Model |
Kia Sportage LX |
Honda CR-V LX* |
Mazda CX-5 sport* |
Volkswagen Tiguan S* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Towing Capacity (lbs) |
2000 |
1500 |
2000 |
2200 |
The VW Tiguan offers the most towing ability and is followed by the Mazda and the Kia, who are on the same page. The CR-V is the least potent of the lot and offers the least towing capacity.
While Naturally, Aspirated Motors offer unadulterated performance and little lag in power delivery, they tend to be less economical than their Turbocharged Counterparts. The Sportage is a classic example of the same and in terms of numbers, it’s the weakest when compared to its adversaries.
What comes to Kia’s aid, however, is its massive 16.4-gallon fuel tank capacity that allows it to traverse a distance of 377 miles on the city and 492 miles on the highway.
|
Model |
Kia Sportage LX |
Honda CR-V LX* |
Mazda CX-5 sport* |
Volkswagen Tiguan S* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (City) |
23 |
26 |
25 |
22 |
|
MPG (Highway) |
30 |
32 |
31 |
29 |
|
MPG (Combined) |
26 |
28 |
28 |
25 |
|
Fuel Capacity (Gallon) |
16.4 |
14 |
14.8 |
15.3 |
|
Range (City/Hwy/Combined) (mi) |
377/492/426 |
364/448/392 |
370/459/414 |
337/444/382 |
Speaking of rivals, none of the crossovers can match the range of the Kia. However, for specs enthusiasts, the Honda and the Mazda return the best MPG figures. The Kia follows them next and is surprisingly followed by the Turbocharged VW.
The cabin of the 2020 Sportage is subtly inclined towards the driver, with a clean and well laid out set of controls. The Sportage can manage to seat 5 people with a lot of ease and comfort. The space available for passengers in the first row of Sportage corresponds to 39.3 inches of headroom, 57.1 inches of shoulder room and 41.5 inches legroom. However, the headroom and shoulder room offered by the Honda CR-V is the highest.
|
Model |
Kia Sportage LX |
Honda CR-V LX* |
Mazda CX-5 sport* |
Volkswagen Tiguan S* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
39.3/57.1/41.5 |
40.1/57.9/41.3 |
39.7/57.1/41.0 |
39.1/56.2/40.1 |
|
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
39.1/55.1/38.2 |
39.2/55.6/40.4 |
39.0/54.8/39.6 |
39.0/55.0/35.8 |
The Ride Quality of the Kia is sublime for the most part and even the biggest of bumps and undulations are handled with utmost authority by its suspension. The Noise Insulation from the outside ranks as one of the best in the segment and commuters will be not tired while doing long distances in the Kia.
In terms of the Infotainment System, Kia's UVO unit comes loaded to the hilt with a plethora of bells and whistles. The system easily connects to all multimedia devices and the easy to navigate menus makes things easier for the users. Other than a bit of lag in the interface, we can't find many flaws with this Infotainment system.
With the rear seat up, the 2020 Kia Sportage accommodates 30.7 cubic feet of cargo that increases to 60.1 cubic feet after folding down the rear seat. Analyzing the rivals, The Mazda CX-5 has a similar capacity as that of the Kia Sportage. However, the cargo capacity of the Honda’s CR-V LX is the highest, which is about 39.2 cubic feet with the rear seat up and 75.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The VW seats 5 people and thus offers the least cargo space, with all the seats up.
|
Model |
Kia Sportage LX |
Honda CR-V LX* |
Mazda CX-5 sport* |
Volkswagen Tiguan S* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cargo Capacity (rear seat up) (ft3) |
30.7 |
39.2 |
30.9 |
12 |
|
Cargo Capacity (rear seat folded) (ft3) |
60.1 |
75.8 |
59.6 |
56.1 |
Like the Infotainment system, the Kia Sportage comes loaded to the hilt with a plethora of features on the inside. Like all Kias, you get access to a number of creature comforts as standard like
Speaking of Design, Kia Engineers have tweaked the Styling of the Sportage to make it look a bit more sporty and fresh. Kia has tweaked the Exhaust tips of the Sportage and has made some design changes to the Headlights and the Foglights as well. The Front and Rear Bumpers have been redesigned as well, adding to the aesthetics of the Sportage. The New Shade for the Alloys, makes the Kia look a bit more appealing than the previous model and adds to the sporty appeal as well.
|
Model |
Kia Sportage LX |
Honda CR-V LX* |
Mazda CX-5 sport* |
Volkswagen Tiguan S* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3305 |
3307 |
3541 |
3721 |
|
Length (in) |
176.4 |
180.6 |
179.1 |
174.5 |
|
Width (in) |
73.0 |
73.0 |
72.5 |
71.2 |
|
Height (in) |
64.4 |
66.1 |
65.3 |
67.1 |
|
Ground Clearance (in) |
6.4 |
7.8 |
7.6 |
6.9 |
|
Wheelbase (in) |
105.1 |
104.7 |
106.3 |
102.5 |
Coming to the dimensions of the Kia Sportage, it is 176.4 inches long, 73.0 inches wide and 64.4 inches tall. Among the rivalry, the Volkswagen Tiguan S has the minimum length as well as width while the Kia Sportage is the shortest in terms of height. The ground clearance offered by Kia Sportage measures about 6.4 inches whereas the ground clearance of both the Volkswagen Tiguan S and Mazda CX-5 is higher with 6.9 and 7.6 inches respectively.
One of the key changes in the 2020 Sportage, comes in the form of the addition of a large number of Safety Features. You do get a lot of driver aids and assistance features as standard across the range. Some of the noteworthy features include
The Honda CR-V has been a global bestseller for Honda for a variety of reasons. The CR-V offers a lot of space for its occupants, comes loaded with a good set of features and comes with Honda’s Reliability and sturdy build quality. The Kia on the other hand, offers a sportier handling character than the Honda, is the better to be driven in and has a bunch of Interior Features. There is not much separating the duo but if we were to put our money’s on, we would go for the Sportage because of its versatility and a long list of features.
The Mazda CX-5 has been the go to Car for people, who wanted a crossover that had the handling of a sporty sedan. The Mazda comes with a powerful motor and has superb road manners. In terms of features as well, there is very little seperation between the Kia and the Mazda. Then, of course, you have Mazda reliability and sturdy built as well. The Kia beats the Mazda in terms of features and is more spacious than the Mazda as well. If you prefer a sporty crossover, the Mazda should be your choice but for everything else, the Sportage is a better choice.
he last but not the least SUV that puts up a challenge to the Kia Sportage is the Volkswagen Tiguan S. Considering the price, the Tiguan is expensive than the Sportage by a small margin. Nevertheless, for the additional price, the Tiguan S offers more engine power, torque and towing capacity than the Sportage. On the other side, it lags way behind the Kia Sportage in various parameters like mileage, acceleration, interior space, and cargo capacity.
The Kia Sportage has been a bestseller for Kia for quite some time now. For 2020, Kia has not changed the success recipe but added some more spice and flavor to it. The 2020 Sportage comes with a long list of Interior Features, Driver Assistance Features, and multiple engine options. Add to all these, a well-insulated cabin with a rich and premium feel and what you have on your hands, is a crossover that will suit your daily driving as well as touring needs. The Sportage offers a good blend of performance, features and it’s attractive pricing, makes it a compelling reason for anybody to visit their nearest Kia dealership atleast once.
Michael P. Dunnigan 2020 Kia Sportage EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
User Overall Rating
Posted On: June 11, 2020
Overview Rating
Very happy with it.
Features
Interior
Design
Safety
Reliability
Deal Value
Dealer Review
Ricky M. Carr 2020 Kia Sportage SX Turbo 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
User Overall Rating
Posted On: June 11, 2020
Overview Rating
It is not bad but it isn’t what I expected it to be either
Features
Interior
Design
Safety
Reliability
Deal Value
Dealer Review
Daniel A. Jefferson 2020 Kia Sportage S 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
User Overall Rating
Posted On: June 11, 2020
Overview Rating
Powerful and fun to drive but not very reliable
Features
Interior
Design
Safety
Reliability
Deal Value
Dealer Review
User Overall Rating
User Overall Rating
User Overall Rating
User Overall Rating
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