Used Kia Sportage (Mk4, 2016-2021) review and buyer’s guide: popular for a very good reason
Our full used buyer’s guide on the Kia Sportage, covering the Sportage Mk4 that was on sale between 2016 and 2021
Verdict
When Auto Express celebrated its 30th birthday in 2018, we had to pick the brand that had made the most progress during those three decades. It wasn’t a tough decision to make, with Kia given the award because of the way it had transformed itself since the brand reached the UK in 1991. This was most apparent with the Mk4 Sportage, which was Kia’s biggest-selling model when it was current. Its popularity illustrates how accomplished it is, as well as how many there are to choose from; almost 40,000 Sportages were sold in the UK in 2017. Only the earliest cars are now out of warranty, but check carefully before buying because reliability wasn’t a high point for the Kia SUV in our Driver Power polls.
Mid-size SUVs are hot property on the new and used markets, and one of the favourites – as voted by you in our Driver Power surveys – is the Mk4 Kia Sportage.
While the original Sportage of 1995 wasn’t anything to get excited about, its successor was a big improvement, and by the time the third-generation edition arrived in 2010, Kia had really hit its stride, with a car that looked as though it was still at the concept stage.
After that model, the Mk4 didn’t look as distinctive, but it was undoubtedly a better car, with its more modern dashboard, the latest safety tech and a further improvement in cabin quality. It was no wonder it claimed pole position in our 2019 Driver Power used-car survey, beating 99 other models in the process.
History
The fourth-generation Sportage reached UK showrooms in February 2016, priced from £17,995. There was a choice of 130bhp 1.6 GDi or 174bhp 1.6 T-GDi petrol engines, along with a 114bhp 1.7 CRDi diesel, and a 2.0 CRDi in 134bhp and 182bhp forms.
Used - available now
2023 KIA
Sportage
63,795 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L
Cash £20,859
2023 KIA
Sportage
14,696 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L
Cash £23,226
2023 KIA
Sportage
16,838 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L
Cash £24,104
2021 KIA
Sportage
21,681 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L
Cash £19,826A revised Sportage went on sale in August 2018, with a 114bhp 1.6 CRDi unit replacing the 1.7 CRDi, and the 182bhp 2.0 CRDi engine gaining mild-hybrid tech and an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
The line-up was streamlined in May 2020, with the 1 and 4 trims being dropped and a 3 added, to sit alongside 2, GT-Line and GT-Line S. An eight-inch touchscreen with navigation was standard across the range from this point, along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Mk5 Kia Sportage arrived in 2022.
Prices
About 60 per cent of the Sportages on the market have a petrol engine, while the other 40 per cent are diesels. A third of those diesels have hybrid tech, while one in three has an automatic transmission. Just a third of Sportages on the used market have four-wheel drive.
A used Mk4 Kia Sportage can be yours from well under £7,000 through our Buy a Car service.
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Which one should I buy?
The 1.6 CRDi was a big advance over the 1.7 CRDi in every way, and the 1.6 T-GDi is much perkier than the non-turbo 1.6 GDi, while the eight-speed automatic transmission is significantly slicker than the six-speed that came before on the 2.0 CRDi.
All Sportages were well equipped, with the 1 having alloy wheels, air-con, cruise control, a reversing camera and a seven-inch touchscreen display. The 2 added sat-nav, upgraded interior trim, privacy glass, heated front and outer rear seats, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights and wipers, plus dual-zone climate control.
The 4 (superseded by the 3) came with 19-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, leather trim, front parking sensors, electric seat adjustment and a panoramic glass roof. GT-Line was in effect a sportier 2, while the GT-Line S was a sportier 3 or 4.
Alternatives to the Kia Sportage
You;re spoiled for choice here. The Hyundai Tucson is closely related to the Sportage, so shares many of its traits, while the SEAT Ateca, VW Tiguan and Skoda Karoq also share much with each other (and the Audi Q3), and they’re all worth shortlisting. Meanwhile, the Vauxhall Grandland is based on the same platform as Peugeot’s 3008 and the Citroen C5 Aircross, so many of the oily bits are common across these models, all of which you should consider.
A less obvious contender is the MG HS, which, as with the Kia, comes with a seven-year warranty, or you could check out the Renault Kadjar, which is related to the Nissan Qashqai. We’d also recommend a closer look at the Ford Kuga and the Toyota RAV4, as well as the Mazda CX-5.
What to look for
ULEZ
All diesel-engined models are Euro 6-compliant, so you should be able to drive in clean-air zones without paying any charges.
Hybrids
From October 2019, all diesels featured mild-hybrid tech, but Kia claimed similar fuel economy and CO2 figures for standard and hybrid models.
Lights
A few owners swapped their headlamp bulbs for aftermarket items. Some of these are illegal and can damage the electronics, however.
Tyres
It has been reported that the factory-fitted tyres can perish prematurely. That’s why many owners have switched to Michelin, Bridgestone or Continental.
Interior
If you’re after a car interior that’s easy to live with and you don’t care if it’s rather dull, then look no further. The Sportage’s dashboard is designed for ease of use and is of a very high quality (and even more so in the posher models, which come with extra design details to lift the ambience), but it’s lacking any wow factor.
But the build quality is impressive throughout and so is the packaging. There’s lots of room for adults in the back, and wide-opening doors mean easy entry and exit, while boot capacity is 491 (439 mild hybrid) or 1,480 litres, depending on whether or not the rear seats are folded down.
Running costs
All Sportages need to be serviced every 12 months or 20,000 miles, except for the 1.6 T-GDi, which cuts this to every year or 10,000 miles. Check-ups generally alternate between minor and major, with the former priced at £95, or so. A major service for the 1.6 GDi costs around £300, while it’s about £350 for the 1.6, 1.7 and 2.0-litre diesels. Maintenance for the 1.6 T-GDi costs between £170 and £500.
The standard check-up costs include fresh brake fluid every two years and new coolant every 10 years or 100,000 miles. All engines are chain-driven, apart from the 1.6 CRDi, which has a cambelt that needs to be replaced every 16 years or 160,000 miles, at a cost of £560.
Recalls
Kia has a pretty good record when it comes to issuing recalls, and sure enough, this generation of Sportage has never been the subject of one. The Sportage Mk3 (made between 2010 and 2016) was recalled just twice, while the second-generation model (2005-2010) was the subject of just one campaign.
However, since the Sportage Mk4 was launched in early 2016, Kia has issued two dozen recalls that take in most of its other models. In some cases the action is the result of mechanical glitches, such as steering-rack failures (Soul), faulty door locks (Rio), a perished fuel- filler neck (Picanto) and fuel-pump failures (Stinger). But many of the problems are down to electronic and electrical issues, including some with Kia’s plug-in hybrid models, such as the Soul EV and e-Niro.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
Out of 75 cars in the 2023 Driver Power survey, Kia had 14 entries, ranging from second (Sorento Mk4) to 70th (Sportage Mk5). The Sportage Mk4 fared much better than its successor with a 19th place, owners loving the cabin versatility and space, the dash layout and the amount of boot room. They’re not so impressed by the performance, driving experience or infotainment, while 52nd for reliability is disappointing.
Used Kia Sportage buyer's guides
Click below to view our used buyer's guide on other generations of the Kia Sportage.
- Used Kia Sportage Mk2 (2005-2010)
- Used Kia Sportage Mk3 (2010-2016)
- Used Kia Sportage Mk5 (2022-date)
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Kia Sportage (2016-2021) review: What we said
Extracts from our 2021 in-depth review of the Mk4 Kia Sportage...
The Kia Sportage is a great all-round family SUV with a combination of good engines, strong build quality, a keen driving experience and plenty of interior space. Now in its fourth generation, the Sportage also boasts a unique look, up-to-date infotainment and decent value. Standard equipment is generous and Kia’s famous seven-year warranty only adds to the appeal.
Rivals like the Mazda CX-5 and Peugeot 3008 are better to drive and offer a more premium feeling package, but both carry much larger price tags; the Sportage stands as a good-value family SUV with much to recommend it.
About the Kia Sportage
The fourth generation Kia Sportage was launched in 2016, into a marketplace packed with more high quality rivals than any of its predecessors were ever forced to contend with. The seemingly unstoppable rise of the SUV/crossover class means Kia now pitches the Sportage against models as varied as the Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai, Ford Kuga, Renault Kadjar, Suzuki Vitara, Mazda CX-5 and SEAT Ateca.
Kia offers the Sportage for sale in two- and four-wheel drive guise as before. The engine lineup for the model range has been realigned, with a 1.6-litre petrol available in two power outputs and a same capacity diesel unit with mild-hybrid technology.
Visually, the latest Sportage has what it takes to turn heads in a fashionable sector, especially if you can afford a higher-spec model with the classier trim finishes. Trim levels have been streamlined to include 2, 3, GT-Line and GT-Line S variants and all are well equipped.
The now entry-level 2 equipment level brings 17-inch alloy wheels, heated leather seats, cruise control, dual-zone air-conditioning, and an eight-inch touchscreen with sat nav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a reversing camera.
Paying extra for the 3 trim level nets you 19-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, electric adjustment for the front seats, a heated steering wheel and black exterior trim. GT-Line and GT-Line S variants add fancy extras like 19-inch alloy wheels, a power tailgate and an enhanced audio system.
Former Audi designer, Peter Schreyer, remains in charge of design at Kia and is responsible for the second-generation Sportage’s stylish look. In our opinion, there are hints of premium SUVs like the BMW X1, Volkswagen Tiguan and even – from some angles – the Porsche Cayenne in this design.
However, very few of the Sportage's rivals can get close to this Kia’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty that also applies to all models in the Kia line-up. Only the SsangYong Korando (seven years and 150,000 miles) and Toyota RAV4 (up to 10 years or 100,000 miles) beat Kia's generous offering.
Engines, performance and drive
Kia has made the Sportage good to drive, with lots of grip through corners and suspension which smooths out the worst bumps well. Yes, there is a fair amount of body roll, but the car never feels cumbersome and is a big improvement on its predecessor overall. Wind noise around the door mirrors is quite audible at motorway speeds, but otherwise the Sportage is a very relaxing long-distance cruiser.
The fine chassis is mated to accurate sharp steering, that’s fairly light during parking and low speed driving. It also has enough feedback to allow you to feel the road surface through the steering wheel, which helps when judging cornering speeds and placing the car on the road. It’s a massive enhancement over the third-gen Sportage, but the Mazda CX-5 is still a little more fun on twisty roads.
A high-set driving position and decent forward visibility make the Sportage very easy to drive around town. The small windows and thick roof pillars do spoil all-round visibility a little, especially at the rear, but that isn’t a huge criticism.
For those venturing off-road, all-wheel drive is available on both the petrol and diesel models. In most situations, it sends all its power to the front wheels to save fuel, but it can send up to 40 per cent of its power to the rear should the front wheels lose grip. There's also a lock mode to keep all four wheels turning if necessary.
Engines, 0-60 acceleration and top speed
The petrol engine lineup consists of a 1.6-litre unit, with either 130bhp or 174bhp. Front-wheel drive versions come with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the higher-powered model has four-wheel drive and is available with the manual box, or a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission (DCT).
In a drive to lower emissions and reduce fuel consumption, the 1.6-litre diesel mild hybrid has been introduced using a 48-volt lithium-ion battery to deliver 134bhp and 320Nm of torque. Its 'e-system' recovers kinetic energy during braking to provide extra torque when the driver is able to press on and accelerate. There are front-wheel drive versions with both manual and auto gearboxes, whereas the all-wheel drive model is only available with the DCT auto transmission.
MPG, CO2 and running costs
The Sportage offers good value for money in the class thanks to strong equipment levels. Its seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty may no longer be industry-leading, but it's still more generous than most brands. Kia dealers offer fixed-price servicing packs for three and five years allowing owners to manage their budgets.
For prospective owners aiming to keep costs down, the front-wheel drive models are the better bets – and in particular the models fitted with the 1.6-litre diesel mild hybrid engine. Steer clear of the all-wheel drive models as their economy is naturally worse and their CO2 emissions higher. Equally, those higher-spec models with bigger wheels will not return the best economy figures.
The most efficient Sportage model is the 1.6 CRDi diesel combined with the 2 trim level, which brings smaller 17-inch wheels. Kia claims a combined economy figure of 52.3mpg with emissions at 141g/km. As an example of how wheel size can affect efficiency, the same engine paired with the 3 trim's 19-inch alloys delivers 47.9mpg and a CO2 figure of 153g/km.
For those Sportage customers wanting to cover the most miles under petrol power, the 130bhp 1.6 GDi (again in entry level 2 trim) will be the answer. It returns 36.2mpg on the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 177g/km. The 174bhp petrol version in 3 trim delivers the worst economy in the range - with a maximum 32.1mpg and 201g/km of CO2.
Interior, design and technology
When the fourth generation Sportage came out in 2016, it took the old car’s sloping roof line and bulging arches, but added a sharper rear and more delicate front end arrangement. A styling update in 2018 introduced some little chrome whiskers on the front bumper an gained a full-width light bar at the back.
The changes to the inside were more subtle, with the facelift adding a new steering wheel, a revised driver’s display and tweaked air con controls. Still, the Sportage mixes it with the class’s best for quality. It is full of soft-touch plastics and the buttons and knobs all feel sturdy; it’s only if you look hard lower down the dashboard that you find any cheaper plastics used. The cabin’s design can’t match the stunning Peugeot 3008 for style, but it’s clear, functional and full of tech.
The range is arranged into 2, 3, GT-Line and GT-Line S equipment levels. The '2' trim isn't really a typical entry-level standard as it comes with bags of kit, including 17-inch alloys, LED daytime running lights, dual-zone air conditioning, cruise control, heated seats, a reversing camera and an eight-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation.
The ‘3’ brings 19-inch alloy wheels, heated leather seats that are electrically adjustable and a panoramic sunroof. The GT-Line goes without the glass roof, but gets a start/stop button, some sporty-looking red piping and stitching on the seats, black headlining, a sports steering wheel, alloy pedals and LED front fog lights. The top-spec GT-Line S throws the panoramic roof back in, plus gets a power tailgate, ventilated front seats, smart cruise control with a stop/go function and a JBL premium audio system with eight speakers.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
The Sportage is equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen navigation system, including both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The eight-inch display was revised for 2018, and both gets a sharper image and faster touch response. Kia’s infotainment interface was already among the best in this class, and the latest updates make it even better. The clear menu layouts are the same as before, with a split-screen home page showing mapping on the left and other options on the right. Loading times are fine, and it’s a very intuitive system to use.
Practicality, comfort and boot space
Like all SUVs in the class, the Sportage comes with five doors only and, like most of its rivals, a raised ride height and tall body gives a great view of the road ahead. The driving position feels good, but the narrow side windows and thick rear pillars mean visibility out of the rear isn’t the best. Happily, a reversing camera is standard throughout the range.
The Sportage doesn’t offer a huge number of cubbies. There’s a large glove box, two cup holders and big door bins but these spaces will soon fill up and there are no clever places to hide extra items.
Size
The Sportage is of average size in the class. At 4,485mm long it is shorter than the Ford Kuga (4,524mm), but longer than the Nissan Qashqai (which measures 4,377mm). It’s also wider than both at 1,855mm wide.
Leg room, head room and passenger space
You can fit three people comfortably in the rear of the Sportage – even though the middle seat passenger has to position their feet either side of the transmission tunnel. There’s excellent kneeroom and decent headroom despite the sloping roof-line. There are Isofix points in the two outer seats for child seats and one particular feature that marks out the Sportage are its reclining rear seats offering an extra bit of comfort in the back.
Boot
Boot space in the Sportage is about average for the class. The shape is nice and square and the load lip is low and flat, so it’s easy to load big items in and out. At 491 litres, the Sportage boot is comfortably larger than that of the Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai. However, if you’re after much more space, the Sportage falls short of the Peugeot 3008’s 520-litre boot.
Go for the mild hybrid models, and there’s no underfloor storage because a battery takes up the space. It’s a mild inconvenience, and one which means that, unlike the rest of the range, there isn’t enough space for a parcel shelf under the boot floor.
Towing
As you’d expect, the towing capacity of the Kia Sportage varies depending on the model. The entry-level petrol and diesel engines with the manual gearbox can tow a braked trailer of up to 1,400kg in weight in front wheel drive guise. As you move up to the more powerful engines in the range and the 4x4 models, the towing weights increase with the most capable all-wheel drive Sportages able to offer a 2,200kg towing capacity. Be aware, however, that choosing the automatic gearbox options will limit towing capacity. The 1.6-litre turbo petrol only offers a 1,600kg maximum, even in 4x4 guise.
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