Kia Sportage SUV review - CarBuyer 

It's coming up to 3 years since I bought my Sportage....so I think I'm qualified to give a genuine opinion on the car. Unlike some people in the comments who I doubt have ever even sat in a Sportage. So, after 3 years and about 36,000km I can tell that it's a great car. Solid as a rock. I haven't had a single fault in 3 years. Not a one. Absolutely nothing. It has lots of power (2.0L diesel. 184HP. 40nm torque). You really feel that big torque. Corners great thanks to firm suspension. Does snow, ice and rain really well, (even my 2WD)......lots of spec. Better spec than any rival I know of. One minor niggle is that the drivers seat felt a bit hard and uncomfortable. So I bought a cushion! Problem solved! There you go. 3 years. Driven everyday. Not a problem.

i just bought this second hand car lastweek! my first car ever, and i looove it! hi from Indonesia!

I'm 6'6" and don't fit behind the wheel of many cars without the steering wheel resting on my knee (driving like that causes a condition called driver's knee which is VERY painful). The Sportage is one of only 2 cars my wife and I tried while shopping used that i fit in and the other was an equinox (which, just no.....read those reviews). "Loads" of space is an understatement. It's awesome.

Was given one of these as a rental a few weeks back. Not going to lie I was a bit disappointed when I saw it - I'd booked out a Focus but this is all they had in. Can honestly say I've never been as wrong with my first impressions. Fully loaded to London and back from England's Grim North on less than a full tank (averaged about 40 to the gallon). More impressive was that it was the bigger 2.0 Diesel engine AND it was all wheel drive too. Aside from sat nav it had all the toys you'd want, and it was only one model up from base spec. Didn't want to give it back. Only downsides, as Matt said in the video the ride can be fidgety on rough roads, and the A pillars are quite thick which was a pain in tight spots but I soon got used to them. Definitely recommend one of these!!!

So proud of our kia sportage, it's really stylish and comfy..been 2 yrs and it's still working perfectly as the 1st day we bought it

I bought one...and it is excellent...

Hi there, it has been over one year and 10.000km since I bought my own Kia Sportage. Since then I haven't had any issues with the car, every thing seems to be okay. It's a great looking car with very good value to price ratio with pretty low running cost for a cross-over. I bought the car with the cheapest 1.6 petrol engine because it was the least expensive from the bunch. If you plan to drive mostly in the city it's more than okay, unfortunately it's too weak while over passing other cars on highways and such... Other minor con is the rear visibility, it is just awful. It's easy to hit something while backing up. Aside of those two shortcoming it's a great car much better than other cross-overs in this price range Quashqai (before lifting) or Dacia Duster. I would buy it again and that by itself is a good recommendation from the owner. Regards from Warsaw / Poland :)

2022 comment: My dad's had a 2014 SX trim I think (2L petrol, non turbo, 2WD) since new. No problems AT ALL, only regular oil changes. I am still quite surprised at its refinement - it's very quiet inside. His engine choice is not good for overtaking in the highway, but for everyday use it's absolutely fine. 4/5 stars from me⭐⭐⭐⭐ - get the bigger engine. Fuel economy is similar to my Suzuki sedan at 8.5-9L/100km mixed driving, quite surprising given the Sportage is a larger car (but my Suzuki's engine is naturally aspirated).

I've owned a 2011 Sportage for 1.5 years and I can assure you........everything Matt mentions in this review, good and bad, is exactly true. He hasn't missed a thing. It has a couple of flaws, but overall it's amazing value. Well, here in Korea anyway. Believe it or not, I bought the mid-spec model here in in Korea for 13,000 pounds. It's 23,000 pounds in the UK. Somebody, somewhere is ripping off UK car buyers bigtime....It should be a national scandal.

Actually Watching this in the Year 2020! Great Built Car! Still using my Kia Sportage MY13 Platinum - Melbourne Australia

I actually like this more than the quashqai

We've had our 2011 sportage now for 8 years. It has 312k + miles on it and is still running excellent. Everything still works except for the sunroof. I will by another one same year when this one ever dies.

I really don't miss these times when Matt would give more importance to the boot and cup holders than anything else in a car

my aunty has just bought the second generation kia sportage and it is one of the best suv's ive ever been in!

Got this car today

Brilliant all round family suv. Getting mine tomorrow! can't wait!!

thanks for the great review. It is a stunning car. Got myself one just a week ago (11th of March 2011) and I have no hesitation to recommend it to anyone. Although the back pillars are bit wide and there are no corner windows, so you have to be extra careful when changing the lanes. Also the boot lock is really low, so your hands will get dirty. Everything else seems to be spot on!

I've never liked Kia, but I have to say they have done a great job with this Sportage.

Great review and really nice car. Matt, will you be doing a Kia optima review anytime soon?

I just got a 2016 ex and I love it.👍🤑

Really wish I have 1 of these !!

A great looking car, really liking Kia at the moment

I love my Sportage. Thank you, KIA.

Nice review. I'm still wainting though for the Kia sorento review

I'm impatiently waiting to see you review on new 2016 Kia Sporage... Please do it soon... Pretty please!

Nice review thank you

I replaced my 2013 Nissan juke for a 2014 Kia sportage which I love. It gives good mpg excellent ride, handles really well. it now has 6000 miles on the clock. Great if you suffer from a bad back. The hight of the car is pretty perfect for me at 5ft 11. Don't think I would replace this car. Totally recommend it.

I want this as my first car!

When are you going to do an updated 2013 video review!! I'm waiting.. not so patiently :)

My opinion as a passenger of the Kia Sportage: I'm 5'8" tall, and for me, I feel like I'm in the back seat of a limousine. The doors are so big to match the big interior. I can't get enough about the size of the doors, I think they belong on a Lexus LX570, Kia made it special to get in-and-out of the car.

How much have Nissan paid you to say that? There is nothing wrong with the Sportage, it's comfortable, incredibly good looking and reliable. The ride can be bumpy, the engine doesn't sound like a tractor, the only time the engine has any clatter is when it's first started up, as do all diesels before they're warmed up, there are also many redeeming qualities, how about excellent looks, lots of equipment as standard, 7 year warranty and build quality that has even been worrying VW

Kia Sportage continues to be the leading car of the crossover class. Some rivals emerging but still leadign the way.

I admit it can be a bit tricky when you first learn to drive manuel, but when you get the hang of it..it's quite simple and it can be fun.

You need to see and drive this car to fully appreciate how good it is. I'm not a KIA fan, but this is genuinely exceptional vehicle.

Bought one in Techno Orange. 2.0L diesel. It's a great car. Badge-snobs are idiots. This car feels and drives like a European car for about 40% less money.

Yeah the design is like nothing I've seen before. Looks like something from the future!! WOuld totally get one if I had the money!

You'll know if Matt likes the car.. He will drive it away with him after the review

really feelin kia at the moment the range is really nice and 7 year warranty is really good i think the sportage looks brilliant keep up the good work kia and carbuyer :)

Absolutely right. Korea is a country on the up and up. As long as North Korea doesn't carry out their monthly promise to turn the south into a sea of fire (sic), then it's a great place to be. I'm a Brit living here for 12 years teaching English and loving it......and also loving my Sportage!

Kia sportage it is beautiful car and i love it

anyone any experience with the KX-4? esp the throttle dampener effect? Thanks...

central differential lock? or does it have diff locks on both axles?

I always get the middle seat. It's terrible in older cars.

yea ma big sis got 2012 one very nice i love it

Great video, thank you very much.

how's the cabin noise ? Here in my place ppl always honk, i need a car that can damp the noises really well

Great Car ! Looking forward to get one !

Nice design.

This and the OG one are the best imo

I'm thinking of changing my civic 2011 to a kia sportage 2011 I need everyone's options what if the warranty runs out will I have any problems

This guy's good enough to be on Top Gear !!!

as you saw the review going along, you get no surprise hearing they cataloged it as the car for 2011

Need this

When will the kia optima be rewiewd ?

Lol watching this in 2019

i have 1 i love it

I think the Sportage is a "direction converter" for Kia but I personally aren't 100% sold yet.

What are peoples opinions on the 1.7L engine? I found a KIA Sportage in black with 32,393 miles on the clock for £14,995 2013 plate.

I have one...and it's great...except for the juttery feedback through the steering wheel on sweeping bends at around 100kph...

i love kia

yes do 2014 review... they did some changes to new model. I am considering buying that car perhaps next year.

@Arlind22 I agree.. at first glance seeing the front I thought it was actually the Subaru Forester.

i have a problem everytime i renew my registration bcoz i cant find the engine number. can you teach us where?

Someone help me, which watch is that? The one mat has wear

Hate to say this, but it looks better than both the X1, X3, Q3 and Q5. Maybe because i does not have to struggle so much with a long history DNA, - Lines is simply a different and more modern unhindered approach to a small SUV. Good Job KIA.

the 2010-present Kia Sportage is assembled in Gwangju, South Korea Žilina, Slovakia

my dad's car is sportage 2013 Perfect Car !!

No, you constantly have to mess with the Gear shift so you can't; take off or react as quickly as you like or just focus on the road. I drive a manual van at work and an auto Sportage away from it, I know in a heart beat which I prefer and it's not because the Sportage is newer.

You can find many Toyotas in my country, everyone buy it. But if you ask them, honestly only few that said Toyota is a good car. They just decent enough but worth to buy since it is cheap and easy to maintain.

i think it also depends where the car toyota is distributed, in my country, the quality is way below the toyota distributed to UK, or the ones used in mainland japan...

We want review for kia sorento 2016 please

Wait. You guys got the Sportage in 6 spd standard and AWD?

I never really liked Kia but this car definitely got me respectin the brand more

Exactly my point! If you look at my previous comments..you'll see.

Hello Mat! Does carbuyer make reviews as a team or is it your opinion. The reason i am asking this is because the review for hyundai ix35 is made by your colleague and dont know if its her opinion or your teams opinion. So i would like to know/read your comparioson on these two cars. Thanks in advance

I think I've been pronouncing 'Sportage' wrongly in my whole life. Damn

Is it Sporta-J or Sport-AGE?

If the diesel version were available in the U.S., I'd strongly consider it.

Overall package is quite hard to beat I think.

i wonder what kind of watch he's wearing. looks cool nice review

Which is better Sportage or Suzuki Grand Vitara ?

I don't like the front too much but overall the car is fantastic value for money proposition

the engine on the 2010-present Kia Sportage Engine 1.6 L I4 GDI petrol 2.0 L I4 petrol 164hp 2.0 L I4 GDI (turbo) 2.4 L I4 petrol 175hp 1.7 L I4 CRDi turbo diesel 2.0 L I4 CRDi turbo diesel

Petrol is a far less environmentally friendly fuel, not to mention the engines are less powerful and don't last as long. Not to me they're not, I drive a manual van at work now and the only thing that makes it better than my auto hatchback is that it's got more power and torque.

I like it

In the US you get a 10 yr warranty

Is that Matt Watson from Carwow?!

...what watch is he wearing? looks awesome

Aww Matt looks so young! CarWow has aged him

REVIEW OF NEW SANTA FE PLS

damn, that looks freekin good!

WELL SAID TIMBUCKTOOTHED !! I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU . SOUTH KOREA IS PICKING UP THE PACE REMARKABLY OVER THE COMPETITION . NICE COMMENT .

Nice car

Excuse me, I have not expressed any hatred - I've merely pointed out the fact that Subaru don't make a competitor to the Sportage that satisfies me.

Kia rocks 🤘

...I think I'll keep my discovery thanks

@itsTiLER It's Sportarge over here Dear boy PipPip! Whato!

Yes they are. When you're driving a manuel it feels like you're apart of the whole driving experience, you don't get that feeling in an automatic..

do the kis Sorento 2014

KIA Spotage or Nissan Qashqai...please help