2022 Kia Sportage review (inc. 0-100): New best mid-size SUV?

Has Kia managed to knock it out of the park with the 2022 Kia Sportage? Sharing a platform with the Hyundai Tucson, the Kia Sportage builds on it with a local ride and handling tune and a longer warranty. Is it worth checking out? Paul Maric tests out the top-specification 2022 Kia Sportage GT-Line to find out.

Skip Ahead:
Intro: 00:00
Exterior 01:01
Interior 03:58
Infotainment 05:55
Safety Tech 08:02
Practicality 09:13
On the Road 13:18
0-100 km/h 16:06
Verdict 17:51

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CarExpert:

Paul Maric:

#kia #sportage #review

[TaedoRSA]

How can anybody hate on that fantastic exterior?

[hespie]

I own a 2013 Sportage Diesel 6 speed auto and must say it has far exceeded my expectations. I see 7.8 litres per 100 k's in a range of small city and country driving in Tassie. I did add a throttle position controller which made a huge improvement to responsiveness. Its a car I have recommended to others. I would imagine the 2021 Diesel would be a great buy.

[mattduin]

Loves paul maric's reviews, he should do all reviews. One request though, for family SUVs can you put a pram in the boot to see cargo space? Its a huge consideration for many families' new car purchase but never looked at by motoring journalists

[stuartburns]

Yup bought one, KIA Sportage mild hybrid petrol AWD GT-line. happy with everything . Mega happy with the driver assist features, very good drive, effortless overtaking ability and welcome mpg economy. A real keeper!

[gpsearle]

We bought the new Tucson Highlander with the same engine and gearbox.. my initial thoughts of the gearbox were same as yours, great when up and running, but very jerky on start and around town. Had its 1500k check up during the week, and a software upgrade, which has transformed the gear change. It’s much much smoother now. Hyundai have recalibrated the gear change as far as I can tell. Much happier.

[-TJ-]

Kia is on a whole new level these days. I am very impressed.

Regarding the gloss black - I would prefer if they used their wood trim for most of it and just made the buttons matte-plastic.

[jasonparsons]

I wasn't a huge fan of the new Kia logo but I've started seeing it more and more on the new cars here in South Africa and it does make it look a lot more premium with that machined metal type finish, so it has really grown on me. I also really like that new scale pattern/texture that you find on the models, it stands out while not being overdone and overpowering. Really loving the new Kia design language

[hughventer]

Wow, all you can say is just wow. Kia has come such a long way, apart from the gearbox there’s nearly nothing to fault.

[damieg]

12:08 those are coat/jacket hooks. The design negates the need for a clothes hanger, which you must have to use the regular coat hooks which are by the upper grab handles

[SteveColley]

Great review, as always. When talking about included safety tech in your reviews I think it would be really useful to actually mention what is missing as well as what it has.

[mikaramatthews]

The sportage is at the top of my list of cars for when I upgrade soon.

[hinan]

Got a new Sportage GT patrol 1.6 L Turbo version and have done 300 km on it. I didn’t feel any lag/ slow regarding DCT and engine felt like power is more than enough. I had Kia optima GT 2.l turbo for 5 years and sold. I didn’t feel any less power than Optima GT.

[JYLFishing]

I love the design of all new Kia vehicles. They certainly have come a long way in such a short time. "not bad for a Kia" phrase no longer valid.

[ac]

I put the deposit on the 1.6 gt but switched to the diesel straight after this video. Thank u

[glynnstokes]

Just got our GT-line 1.6T and I have to say that it is really impressive. As far as the DSG goes, we are used to driving VW with DSG’s and I do not understand his comments about the gearbox we find it copes with most driving without an issue. I have only got it to be indecisive once and that was by when turn at an intersection I floored it and it took the DSG a couple a second to get into the right gear. When I took that same corner and just accelerated normally the change was seamless and instantaneous. Like every DSG I have driven, if it needs to change down multiple gears, like go from 5th to 2nd, it does take longer that an automatic however normal changes are so smooth that unless you look at the tachometer or shift indicator you will not know that it has happened.

We originally ordered the diesel however when the dealer informed us that delivery would be Q4 2022 and that they had a Red 1.6T due late Jan we decided we would go with that on basis that it was subject to a test drive. We found it not quite a punchy as the diesel but still quite adequate for our needs. It was quieter which only highlighted the only issue we have found even more and that is tyre noise. We live in the country so most of the roads are crushed rock which generally create tyre noise with most tyres. Will be interesting to see how noisy they are on bitumen. BTW the tyres are Hankook which based on reviews are rated as quiet. They can come with Nexen which are supposed to be. quite noisy.

[taeyeonkim]

12:02 The back of the headrests can be used as bag holders, which hold either shopping bags or shoulder bags.

[jeremybean-hodges]

So... to those new here, we bought the SX model with the basic 2.0L petrol engine and 6-speed auto. So - a bit different to the (gorgeous) GT-Line. We test drove the base-model S, too. Here's a couple of thoughts on the lower-spec Sportages (where most of us will probably buy):

- The 2.0L engine has been described elsewhere as underpowered. It's not underpowered - it's just not powerful, either. It doesn't get unpleasantly loud around town or on the freeway, you have no trouble picking up gaps in traffic or accelerating onto the freeway, no problems with holding the limit while going up a hill. It won't blow you away from the lights, but it's fine for most drivers.
- The 6-speed auto is pretty good, to be honest. It does downshift quickly and smoothly, especially in Sport mode.
- The SX is well worth the extra $2.5k over the top of the basic S. The multimedia system in the S looks grainy and cheap, and the touchscreen that replaces it in the SX blows it into the weeds, plus the interior trim is much nicer. Throw in the front parking sensors - no more front-end scrapes -, a better reversing camera display, and a couple of other goodies like climate control, and if you can stretch to the SX, do it.
- The car handles extremely well for a big unit. The steering is too light, but it noses in well, grips nicely, and hauls its heft around corners with a fair amount of control and precision.

- The one thing I really dislike in the S and SX (as well as the SX+) is the instrument readout. Just a numerical readout of your revs and speed - it looks cheap and dated, and is not as user-friendly as a dial and needle either.
- As Paul mentions, the ride is so well controlled, and the visibility is great barring the A-pillar. It's just an easy, easy car to drive.
- The boot is for a mid-size SUV.

[GeoffMaher]

I purchased the 2022 Sportage 2.0L Turbo Diesel AWD and I'm extremely happy with it...a real pleasure to drive and ticks all the practicality boxes including a decent towing capacity (1900kg braked) .

[manu]

Just ordered mine a week back. Still waiting when it's going to be delivered 😃
And yes I ordered GT diesel 🤩

[nealphore]

What a beautiful car. Love the design. Interior + Exterior 10/10