2024 Kia Sportage Review For The Australian Buyer

The Kia Sportage is a compact crossover SUV that has been more of an evolutionary than revolutionary based on its iterations. Despite residing in a fiercely contested category, it has managed to garner a significant following among Australians thanks to its adept combination of refined exterior styling, reliability, comfort, and fuel efficiency. To cater to a wide audience, it comes with petrol, diesel, and hybrid powertrains. The seamless integration of technology with this car reveres it to Australians who value staying connected to their devices. Competing with the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX5, Hyundai Tucson, Ford Escape, Nissan X-Trail, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Subaru Forester, the Kia Sportage remains a formidable car to reckon with.

Engine Options

The 2024 Kia Sportage comes with four engine options.

  1. 2.0 Non-Turbo Petrol
  2. 1.6 L Turbo Petrol
  3. 2.0 L Turbo Diesel
  4. 1.6 L Turbo Petrol Hybrid

Transmission Options

The 2024 Kia Sportage engine is linked to either a 6-speed automatic transmission, a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, or a 8-speed automatic transmission.

2024 Kia Sportage Grades

  • Kia Sportage S
  • Kia Sportage SX
  • Kia Sportage SX+
  • Kia Sportage GT-Line

For a detailed review of these grades and the best pick while buying this pickup, kindly refer to the 2024 Kia Sportage Buyer’s Guide.

2024 Kia Sportage Interior

The 2024 Kia Sportage cabin represents a significant leap forward in terms of functionality and comfort when it comes to its interior styling. It bears a mixed bag of plastic and soft touches without forgetting its leather upholstery that exudes a premium feel. The dashboard is well laid out and the cockpit is driver-centric starting with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that instills a tech-forward impression. Passengers seated in the first row have plenty of legroom and headroom that allows them to stretch out. Higher grades have heated and power-adjustable front seats for enhanced comfort. The driver has excellent visibility and command of the oncoming traffic. The second-row seats are not only comfortable but also supportive. Its occupants have generous knee room and headroom

Natural light floods into the cabin of the Sportage thanks to a power sunroof that accords it more ambiance. To improve its ride comfort, this car features a keyless entry and dual-zone climate control for more convenience. This compact crossover SUV incorporates numerous storage compartments that are designed to either store or hold the gears of its passengers for ease of access and use. The first row features a glove box, two cupholders, a center console, and door panel storage. The second row has jacket pockets, two cupholders, and door pockets.

The 2024 Kia Sportage presents a seamless fusion of technology and devices of the passengers hence catering for their entertainment needs. It comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple Car Play and Android Auto. It also comes with a wireless phone charger that is very convenient. Other features include satellite navigation, AM/FM Radio, and Bluetooth connectivity.

2024 Kia Sportage Exterior

The previous iterations of the Kia Sportage were very conservative and had minimal styling cues which placed it at a disadvantage in its fiercely competitive category. However, the 2024 model of the Sportage has taken a different trajectory as its exterior styling was completely revamped to keep up with the ever-changing customer preferences. It now has a contemporary and refined appearance that inspires confidence from all angles. The front end is distinguished by its signature tiger-nose grille flanked by boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights and headlights elevating its sophistication. It has a more aggressive and wide demeanor, unlike its predecessors. Some gloss black finishing on the grille and also around the air intakes on the lower fascia impart a premium allure.

Prominent creases and subtle character lines define the side profile of the Kia Sportage. The dynamism the contours create improves aerodynamics which in turn results in fuel efficiency. The wheel arches bear some black cladding which can also be spotted on the lower body panels giving it an adventurous look and also playing a big role in protecting the car’s body components. The mirror caps bear some gloss black accents and the door handles are body-colored to match the overall appearance of the car. The 19-inch alloy wheels add a sporty feel to the car thanks to its appealing optics. Its roofline gently slopes towards the rear where it is seamlessly integrated by a roof spoiler for a more sporty feel.

The rear finish is graced by LED taillights and turn signals that create a cohesive and modern look. The exhaust pipe is nicely integrated into the rear bumper hence maintaining the car’s elegant lines. The finishing touches exemplify Kia’s commitment to producing quality cars that have meticulous attention to detail. The 2024 model of the Sportage is available in a variety of colors to cater to divergent clientele preferences.

2024 Kia Sportage Carrying Capacity/Cargo Capacity

The 2024 Kia Sportage offers 543 liters of boot space when all seats are in place and 1829 liters when the rear seats have been retracted.

2024 Kia Sportage Fuel Consumption

  • 2.0 L Non-Turbo Petrol fuel consumption- 12.3 km/l
  • 1.6 L Turbo Petrol fuel consumption- 13.8 km/l
  • 2.0 L Turbo Diesel fuel consumption- 15.8 km/l
  • 1.6 L Turbo Petrol Hybrid fuel consumption- 20.4 km/l

2024 Kia Sportage Fuel Tank Capacity

The 2024 Kia Sportage has a fuel tank capacity of 54 liters

2024 Kia Sportage Ground Clearance

The 2024 Kia Sportage ground clearance ranges from 7 inches.

2024 Kia Sportage Performance

The 2024 Kia Sportage comes with four engine options, a 2.0 L Non-Turbo Petrol producing 154 horsepower and 178NM of torque. It offers a good balance of fuel efficiency and performance. The 1.6 L Turbo Petrol that comes with a front-wheel configuration produces 177 horsepower and 255NM of torque. It is more powerful and very fast. The 2.0 L Turbo Diesel produces 246 horsepower and 400NM of torque. Besides its thrilling driving experience, the amount of torque produced by this engine will appeal to people who love hauling tons of freight or even pulling trailers for an adventuring trip. The 1.6 L Turbo Petrol Hybrid is connected to an electric motor that allows it to offer stellar fuel economy. Eco-conscious individuals will find this engine ideal for their activities.

Kia is renowned globally for crafting cars that strike a perfect balance between comfort and agility. The 2024 Sportage is a victim of such engineering as its suspension system is optimized to offer a comfortable ride whether driving on urban roads or cruising on uneven surfaces. Owing to its power-assisted steering wheel that is very responsive, it adopts nicely to road curves. This 2024 model of the Sportage is available in either a front-wheel drive configuration that is best suited for driving in the metropolis or an all-wheel drive configuration that allows it to conquer off-road trails and urban roads with equal prowess.

This compact crossover SUV comes with three driving modes that allow the driver to inter-change depending on the terrain being driven on or just the owner’s feel and like. The eco mode prioritizes fuel efficiency over performance hence offering a smooth acceleration. The normal mode is the default mode of the car which is ideal for everyday driving. The sport mode is for a thrilling driving experience as it adjusts the firmness of the steering wheel and the throttle response is sharpened to achieve the desired speed. Other technologies encompassed in this car to enhance its performance include a blind spot monitor, a lane departure warning, emergency braking, and cruise control.

2024 Kia Sportage Reliability

The 2024 Kia Sportage is a new model in the market hence it is premature to issue a comprehensive overview of its reliability. However, based on Kia’s track record, it has built a reputation for producing quality cars that have left an indelible mark in the automotive industry. The Kia Sportage benefits from such kind of detailed engineering prowess.

Regular service and maintenance are highly recommended to ensure the Kia Sportage remains in optimal condition.

2024 Kia Sportage Maintenance Schedule

At 5,000 km the 2024 Kia Sportage requires a change of the air filter, engine oil, and oil filter. At 10,000 km, this car requires an air cleaner, oil filter, fuel filter, ATF filter, cabin filters, plugs, front brake pads, rear brake pads, ATF oil, brake fluid flushes, coolant flushes, and engine oil.

For a comprehensive maintenance schedule, click here to download the 2024 Kia Sportage Owner’s Manual.

2024 Kia Sportage Competitors

  • Hyundai Tucson
  • Toyota RAV4
  • Volkswagen Tiguan
  • Honda CR-V
  • Ford Escape
  • Nissan X-Trail
  • Subaru Forester
  • Mazda CX5