Kia Sportage Review

Introduction and model history 

The Kia Sportage probably doesn’t need much introduction. There's almost certainly one on your street, if not on your driveway. Now, it's been updated for 2025 with fresh styling, improved efficiency, more tech, more power and a simplified trim lineup to keep it feeling fresh and relevant next to rivals like the Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Tucson, Ford Kuga and more.

This is the same platform as before, and it's the same size. In fact, at just over 4.5-metres long the Sportage rivals the more compact family SUVs like the Skoda Karoq and Ford Explorer, as well as bigger alternatives like the Skoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 5008. 

The big news for this facelift is the new styling, which brings the Sportage more into line with the blocky, modern looks of the EV9 and EV3 - and you won't hear any complaints from me on that front. I know that some find the new Kia styling too brash, and while I wouldn't say that the Sportage is a pretty car I do like the monolithic look, and the bluff new grille and 'tiger face' works well. 

Engines include a standard 1.6 turbocharged petrol or a self-charging hybrid powertrain based on the same engine, both of which go on sale this summer. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Kia Sportage will arrive later this year, and it'll keep the same 13.8kWh battery, but it will be offered with front-wheel drive as well as the four-wheel drive running gear that's currently the only option on the Sportage PHEV. The new plug-in hybrid Kia Sportage also gets a touch more power for a sprightlier 0-62mph time of around 8.0 seconds, but benefits from a new, more efficient electric motor to bring CO2 emissions down.

Sadly, there's no pure electric Sportage - but you needn't worry. Because Kia is also launching the all-electric EV5 this year, and that's very much the electric equivalent of the Sportage. Yes, it's a different platform and model name, but if you want an electric, mid-sized family SUV then Kia's got you covered with the EV5. 

Range, battery and charging  

The pre-facelift Kia Sportage PHEV got a 43 mile WLTP electric range from a 13.8kWh lithium-ion NMC battery pack, and while we haven't got specifics for the tech specs and figures on the new 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV, we do know that it'll retain the same battery pack. Senior bosses at Kia told us that we may see a slight improvement in range due to the PHEV now being offered with front-wheel drive, but don't expect range to be over 45 miles. 

That's still more than enough for most drivers in the UK, although the Skoda Kodiaq PHEV and Omoda 9 both go usefully further to a charge. We haven't driven the new Kia Sportage PHEV, but since it gets very similar running gear we'd estimate that you'll see around 30- to 40 miles of range depending on conditions.  

You charge the Sportage PHEV via the socket on the rear wing of the car. Plug into the Type 2 socket (which is compatible with every home charger and almost all AC public chargers in the UK and Western Europe) and the Sportage PHEV charges at up to 7.2kW for a full battery in under two hours. You can also fully charge the battery via a normal, three-pin domestic socket in under six hours. 

Practicality and boot space 

There’s loads of space for all the family in the Sportage. It seats five, with two pairs of Isofix in the rear bench, which also splits in a 40/20/40 fashion so that you can fold the centre section down and load a long, thin item while still carrying four passengers in comfort. The skiing holiday is sorted, then.

There’s plenty of leg- and headroom for adults and kids to lounge about in comfort on those back seats. Go for top-spec GT-Line S and you get heated rear seats, too! Now that’s proper luxury. You also have to go for the GT-Line S to get the panoramic sunroof; it’s not optional on the rest of the Sportage PHEV range.

The boot is a very decent size, with 540-litres to spare – usefully more than you get in the Ford Kuga PHEV, for instance, if not as much as the 745 litres that the Skoda Kodiaq PHEV packs in. Regardless, the Sportage has a big boot aperture, a flat floor with flush lip, and useful underfloor storage to stow your cables or other gubbins. It’s a very decent boot with plenty of space for the dogs or a chunky double buggy. 

Interior, design/styling and technology

You’ll notice a lot of style touches from the Kia EV6 in the Sportage, and that’s no bad thing. It feels really smart and modern, but there are physical buttons for the important features and it’s all nice and easy to use. All of use here at Electrifying find the driving position in the Sportage pretty good, and you get electric seat adjustment on all but the entry-level Pure trim. 

There hasn't been a huge amount of change for this facelift, but there's now less gloss plastic so that grubby fingerprints don't show up so easily. There's also a head-up display on top-spec GT-Line S, and every new Kia Sportage gets the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system (familiar from before the facelift) with nav, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, It’s a pretty straightforward system to use, and while we’d say that the Google-based systems in the Renault Austral and Volvo XC40 are a bit better, the Kia’s is one of the best for ease of use.  

Running costs and pricing 

The Sportage starts at under £31,000 for the petrol model, or £35,000 for the self-charging hybrid. Prices and other technical specifics are yet to be confirmed for the plug-in hybrid, but expect it to start from just below £40,000. 

A lot of potential PHEV drivers will be company car users, and the Sportage works well for them, too. Thanks to that low CO2 figure it falls into a lower Benefit in Kind tax band than many rivals, making it very affordable on tax payments. 

​Fancy a used Kia? Have a look at the used electrified Kias for sale on Electrifying.com​

Equipment is decent even on the entry-level Pure trim, which gets heated seats up front, part leatherette upholstery, electric lumbar support for the driver, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, front- and rear parking sensors and reversing camera. Mid-spec GT-Line trim is the one to go for, I reckon, as it adds fully electric driver’s seat adjustment and a bigger digital colour readout for the driver. GT-Line S adds various style upgrades, the panoramic glass roof, wireless phone charging and blind spot monitoring, but it does push the price up a lot.

Verdict 

The Kia Sportage has got a lot of competition. From the cheaper MG HS to the bigger Skoda Kodiaq PHEV, not to mention old rivals like the Nissan Qashqai, VW Tiguan, Ford Kuga and Hyundai Tucson. But even with this glut of alternatives, the Sportage is sharp to look at, modern and comfortable inside, spacious and efficient. There’s an aura of premium-ness that many lack, and given the competitive pricing and seven-year warranty it’s not hard to see why it’s such a hit with both company car users and retail buyers alike.  

Like the Kia Sportage? Try these...

MG HS Plug-in Hybrid Review

Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid Review

Ford Kuga PHEV Preview

Want all the latest electric car news, reviews and videos? Sign up to the Electrifying newsletter, and don't forget to check out the Electrifying podcast.