Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The Kia Sportage is a five-seat SUV produced from 1993. It measures 4,456 mm in length and is powered by four-cylinder engines ranging from 1,600 to 2,700 cc, with a top speed of 191 km/h. For 2025 EU/EEA new registrations, COâ‚‚ emissions (WLTP) vary by drivetrain: plug-in hybrid (petrol) at 45 g/km, hybrid (petrol) at 135 g/km, hybrid (diesel) at 138 g/km, gas (LPG/CNG) at 146 g/km, and petrol at 160 g/km. In Norway, new registrations of the Sportage totalled 901 between 2019 and 2025, peaking at 296 in 2022.

Technical data (EU/EEA average, 2025)
ManufacturerKia
ProductionFrom 1993
Body typeSUV
FuelPetrol
Engine power (EU/EEA average)116 kW (155 hp)
COâ‚‚ (WLTP, EU/EEA 2025)Hybrid (petrol) 135 g/km, petrol 160 g/km, plug-in hybrid (petrol) 45 g/km, hybrid (diesel) 138 g/km, gas (LPG/CNG) 146 g/km
Kerb weight (EU/EEA average)1,639 kg
Displacement (engines)1,600–2,700 cc
Cylinders4
Top speed191 km/h
Dimensions and layout
Length4,457 mm
Width1,851 mm
Height1,657 mm
Seats5
Doors5

Engine power and kerb weight are registration-weighted averages of the Kia Sportage registered in the EU/EEA in 2025 (97,241 cars), engine power from 28 countries, kerb weight from 29 countries. Source: EEA COâ‚‚ monitoring (CC BY 4.0).

Engine power is the type-approved engine power (EEA field Ep). For hybrids and plug-in hybrids it is the power of the combustion engine, not the system power, and for electric cars it can differ from the peak power the manufacturer advertises.

New registrations in Norway

Number of Kia Sportage registered for the first time in Norway per year.

Kia Sportage first registrations in Norway per year
2019256
2020151
202137
2022296
2023126
202424
202511

Source: EEA COâ‚‚ monitoring (CC BY 4.0).

Power by engine variant (Norway)

901 Kia Sportage cars registered for the first time in Norway in 2019–2025, by drivetrain and type-approved engine power. The EEA data has no trim names, so variants are told apart by power.

Power by engine variant for the Kia Sportage, new registrations in Norway
DrivetrainPowerKerb weightYearsRegistered in Norway
Plug-in hybrid (petrol)117 kW (157 hp)1,905 kg202511
Plug-in hybrid (petrol)118 kW (158 hp)1,905 kg202421
Plug-in hybrid (petrol)132 kW (177 hp)1,905 kg2022–2024425
Hybrid (diesel)100 kW (134 hp)1,694 kg2019–2021194
Diesel100 kW (134 hp)1,653 kg2019–2020234
Diesel136 kW (182 hp)1,747 kg2019–202012

Plus 3 variants with fewer than 10 cars (4 cars in total).

Power is the type-approved engine power (EEA field Ep). For hybrids and plug-in hybrids it is the combustion engine, not the system output; for electric cars it can differ from the peak power in the maker’s marketing. Kerb weight is the average for the variant. Source: EEA CO₂ monitoring (CC BY 4.0), one record per car (the years EEA lists twice, 2019 to 2021, are counted once).

New registrations by country (2025)

Number of Kia Sportage cars registered for the first time across 30 European countries in 2025.

CountryRegistrations
United Kingdom47,773
Italy17,842
Spain15,780
Germany11,951
Poland11,352
France10,186
Sweden3,480
Ireland3,464
Netherlands3,041
Slovakia2,621
Czechia2,342
Belgium2,334
Hungary2,102
Romania1,647
Lithuania1,344

Source: EEA COâ‚‚ monitoring (CC BY 4.0), 2025 data.

Other Kia models

Similar SUV models

Common problems & reliability

US owners have filed 2,528 complaints for the Kia Sportage, most often about engine, unknown or other, electrical system, service brakes. These are owner-reported issues, useful for spotting recurring weaknesses before you buy. In the UK, 81% of Kia Sportages pass their MOT test first time, based on 245,553 inspections in 2023. (2023 is the most recent annual release published by the DfT.)

Based on real owner complaints and inspection data, not an editorial rating. Sources: NHTSA (US, public domain), DVSA MOT (UK, Open Government Licence).

Recalls & safety

6 recall campaigns recorded in the EU Safety Gate (European market) and 14 in the US-market NHTSA database for the Kia Sportage. Recalls can flag known weaknesses of the model.

  • Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Germany)

    The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

    EU Safety Gate · alerted 2025-02-14

  • Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Germany)

    No description of the defect in Safety Gate.

    EU Safety Gate · alerted 2021-05-28

  • Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Germany)

    The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

    EU Safety Gate · alerted 2025-12-12

  • Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Poland)

    The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

    EU Safety Gate · alerted 2023-01-13

  • Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Germany)

    The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

    EU Safety Gate · alerted 2025-02-14

  • Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Germany)

    The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

    EU Safety Gate · alerted 2025-07-04

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANELUS · NHTSAModel year 2026

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."

    Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.

    NHTSA campaign 26V046000 · reported 27/01/2026

  • TRAILER HITCHESUS · NHTSAModel years 2023–2025

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the tow hitch harness control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC359. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 31, 2025.

    NHTSA campaign 25V874000 · reported 18/12/2025

  • STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARSUS · NHTSAModel years 2023–2024

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.

    NHTSA campaign 24V025000 · reported 18/01/2024

  • STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEMUS · NHTSAModel year 2024

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 Kia Sportage vehicles. The circuit board in the motor-driven power steering assembly may short circuit, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the motor-driven power steering electric power pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 19, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC319.

    NHTSA campaign 24V422000 · reported 07/06/2024

  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSISTUS · NHTSAModel year 2023

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The brake booster diaphragm may become misaligned and cause an internal vacuum leak, which can result in a loss of power brake assist.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake booster as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC272.

    NHTSA campaign 23V410000 · reported 07/06/2023

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATORUS · NHTSAModel year 2023

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The alternator battery positive terminal nut may loosen, which can result in an engine stall or an electrical surge.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the alternator battery positive terminal nut, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 23, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC248.

    NHTSA campaign 22V651000 · reported 29/08/2022

  • AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAINUS · NHTSAModel year 2023

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been twisted during installation.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 28, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC257.

    NHTSA campaign 22V878000 · reported 28/11/2022

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANELUS · NHTSAModel year 2023

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

    Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

    NHTSA campaign 23V298000 · reported 26/04/2023

  • POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMPUS · NHTSAModel year 2023

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.

    Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.

    NHTSA campaign 23V531000 · reported 31/07/2023

  • TRAILER HITCHESUS · NHTSAModel years 2017–2022

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

    Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

    NHTSA campaign 22V703000 · reported 19/09/2022

  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEUS · NHTSAModel years 2017–2021

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.

    Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.

    NHTSA campaign 21V137000 · reported 04/03/2021

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSUS · NHTSAModel years 2015–2018

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

    Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

    NHTSA campaign 18V907000 · reported 19/12/2018

  • TRAILER HITCHESUS · NHTSAModel year 2017

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.

    NHTSA campaign 16V862000 · reported 30/11/2016

  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEUS · NHTSAModel years 2015–2016

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.

    Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC227.

    NHTSA campaign 22V051000 · reported 02/02/2022

Sources: EU Safety Gate (European market) and NHTSA (US market). See all Kia recalls.

Frequently asked questions

What is the top speed of the Kia Sportage?
The Kia Sportage has a rated top speed of 191 km/h.
How much power does the Kia Sportage have?
The Kia Sportage produces 116 kW (155 hp).
What are the dimensions of the Kia Sportage?
The Kia Sportage is 4,457 mm long, 1,851 mm wide and 1,657 mm tall.
How much does the Kia Sportage weigh?
The Kia Sportage has a kerb weight of about 1,639 kg.
What are the CO2 emissions of the Kia Sportage?
It depends on the drivetrain. For the Kia Sportage registered in the EU/EEA in 2025: Hybrid (petrol) 135 g/km, petrol 160 g/km, plug-in hybrid (petrol) 45 g/km, hybrid (diesel) 138 g/km, gas (LPG/CNG) 146 g/km of CO2 (WLTP).
How many seats does the Kia Sportage have?
The Kia Sportage has 5 seats.