hamburger icon

2019 Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage OEM Exterior Primary Photo
OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior Standard
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
Photos Colors
Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2019 LX 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $23,750
2019 LX 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $25,250
2019 EX 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $26,600
2019 EX 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $28,100
2019 SX Turbo 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $33,100
2019 SX Turbo 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $34,600

Overview

The 2019 Kia Sportage continues to offer euro-sporty styling and an impressive feature list. However, efficiency and value are lacking when stacked up next to its rivals.

What's New for 2019

The 2019 Kia Sportage receives no significant updates over last year’s model.

Kia Sportage

Choosing Your Kia Sportage

The Sportage is available in three trim levels: LX, EX, and SX Turbo.

The Sportage, which last saw a full redesign in 2017, maintains a body that’s primarily formed with high-strength steel, utilizes an improved suspension layout, and features an interior that offers soft-touch materials and a stitched dash. With the goal of pushing the Sportage onward and upward in the marketplace, the compact crossover features a wide range of available features and thus price.

A 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is standard equipment on the base LX and mid-level EX. Delivering 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, this non-turbocharged engine comes standard with front-wheel drive and can be had with all-wheel drive across all trims for $1,500.

The SX Turbo, as the name implies, receives a more powerful, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that pumps out 240 hp and 260 lb-ft through the front wheels without having to rev the engine – peak figures are maintained from 1,450 to 3,500 rpm. The same advanced AWD system is also available at the same cost, while a six-speed automatic transmission is standard with either engine.

Fuel economy figures vary with each trim level and drivetrain. The front-wheel-drive LX is the most efficient, achieving an EPA-estimated 23 miles per gallon city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 combined. In comparison, the EX trim suffers one mpg in both city and highway driving. The AWD EX achieves 21/25/23 mpg (city/highway/combined), while the base LX gets 21/25/22 mpg.

The SX Turbo drops these figures significantly. The FWD version achieves 21/26/23 mpg while the AWD SX Turbo gets 20/23/21 mpg. For comparison, Ford’s similarly powered turbocharged Escape achieves two mpg higher in the combined cycle.

Kia Sportage

LX

The base Sportage LX trim starts at $24,745 (all prices include the $995 destination charge) and comes with a basic level of modern comforts with a few standouts: 17-inch alloy wheels, a five-inch touchscreen for the six-speaker audio system that features XM radio, a tilt/telescope steering column, body-color mirrors and door handles, and, of course, a federally-mandated rearview camera.

A single option package is available for the LX trim and many will consider it a worthy upgrade. The LX Popular Package ($1,200) brings Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to a seven-inch touchscreen with Kia’s UVO telecommunications services, heated front seats, a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, stain resistant fabric treatment, dual-zone temperature control, windshield de-icer, solar control glass, and silver painted roof rails.

Kia Sportage

EX

Next in line is the EX trim. Priced from $27,595, it's $2,045 more expensive than the fully-optioned LX. For that extra dough, the EX comes equipped with all of the LX’s available features plus proximity entry, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, leather seating and steering wheel, 18-inch wheels, fog lights, and chrome exterior door handles. There are three option packages available with one that focuses on styling and the other two on features.

The EX Sport Appearance Package ($990) gains a darker shade of gray color on the 18-inch wheels and satin chrome trim for the window trim, the front and rear bumpers, and along the body’s side sill. Especially noticeable at night, the LED “cube” fog lights, headlights, and rear taillights hint at the Sportage’s higher aspirations.

Forgoing the appearance package allows the base EX to instead be upgraded with two packages consisting of several notable luxurious features. The EX Premium Package ($1,700) includes a panoramic sunroof, a heated steering wheel, LED interior lighting, and HomeLink connectivity. With the Premium Package selected, the EX Technology Package ($2,900) is then available. It comes with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, high beam assist, an eight-inch touchscreen with navigation, a Harman/Kardon eight-speaker audio system, ventilated front seats, an eight-way power front passenger seat, a smart power liftgate, a spare tire, and proximity sensors to aid with parking.

Kia Sportage

SX Turbo

The top trim is the SX Turbo that starts at $34,095 and brings together the EX Appearance Package, the EX Technology Package, and, of course, the more powerful but less fuel-efficient turbocharged engine. Furthermore, the SX Turbo gains dynamic projector beam headlights, 19-inch wheels, dual chrome outlet exhaust finishers, and sees a 4.2-inch LCD display between the meter’s gauges. There are no packages available on the Sportage SX Turbo.

CarsDirect Tip

The 2019 Kia Sorento becomes pricey very quickly – automatic emergency braking requires breaking the $30,000 mark. Focusing on this car’s strengths, the EX with the Appearance Package brings out this car’s inner euro-sport styling and includes today's expected modern conveniences, making it a good stating point.

Get your price on a Kia Sportage »

author image
Automotive Editor
Read Less

Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

The last decade has seen Kia rise up from a bargain-basement discount outlet to a purveyor of quality automobiles at enticing prices. The 2019 Kia Sportage is no exception to this – it returns as an affordable but well-equipped crossover.

Best Value

There's three trims available for the Sportage: the bare-bones LX, the mid-level EX, and the snazziest SX Turbo. Of the three, it's tempting to be persuaded by the EX, and indeed, it's a good value as it is. But if you want the modern safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, park assist, lane departure warning, and so on, the best option is to leapfrog to the SX Turbo. It comes with everything standard, and by that we mean everything. Whatever options are available on the Sportage, the SX Turbo comes with it. The only choice a buyer is left with is color or all-wheel drive ($1,500).

If you tried to option an EX with the active safety features, you'll quickly find out that the out-the-door price balloons from about $27,500 to about $32,500 – a number just a bit shy of the SX Turbo's $33,100 advertised starting price. Considering that the SX Turbo also comes with a higher-performance turbocharged engine that makes more power at lower engine speeds, it's not a hard upsell over the EX.

Here's the full scoop on the 2019 Sportage we'd be ordering:

  • Model: 2019 Kia Sportage SX Turbo
  • Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
  • Output: 240 hp / 260 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Six-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
  • Fuel Economy: 21 City / 26 Hwy
  • Options: None
  • Base Price: $34,095 (including a $995 destination charge)
  • Best Value Price: $34,095

Performance

Kia Sportage

There's a reason there's no Spec Crossover race class: these are machines of utility, not performance. Their powertrains are designed around that old idea about speaking only when spoken to. Unless the driver is planting their right foot to the floor, the hardware of an ordinary crossover should simply run quietly in the background, calling no attention to itself as it does its duty efficiently and effectively.

This philosophy is clearly reflected in the standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder that powers the LX and EX models. With 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, it's no paragon of performance. Thanks to the lack of a turbo, peak torque doesn't come on until 4,000 RPM, meaning that going anywhere with haste requires gunning the engine to uncouth RPMs. The result is a crossover that feels lazy when left to its own devices, yet feels hurried and anxious when you're caning it. At least the engine is quiet. Even under duress, it won't start obnoxiously caterwauling, something that's much appreciated.

The 2.4-liter turbocharged four in the SX Turbo is another beast entirely. Here, there's 240 horses and 260 lb-ft of torque on tap, and it makes a world of difference in how the Sportage drive and reacts. The turbo itself is the biggest difference – it helps unlock all that torque at just 1,450 RPM. This allows for strong and purposeful acceleration, and ergo makes the Sportage more confident and sure-footed than it is with the base engine. The best part is that fuel economy hardly suffers: it's rated at 22 miles per gallon city and 26 mpg highway. The base engine musters just 23 city and 29 highway, which are modest increases of just one and three mpgs, respectively. The turbo's slightly worse fuel economy is a small price to pay for the better driving experience, in our opinion. However, the six-grand premium over an EX may not be, even if the SX Turbo does come with every feature in the book.

All Sportages ride well, with the base LX offering the cushiest ride thanks to its 17-inch wheels. The SX Turbo has a distinct personality in corners or bumpy roads, as it boasts a heavily revised suspension to go along with its more powerful motor. This uplevel suspension doesn't make it an autocrosser, but does certainly sharpen things up and eliminate the flabby handling of a typical crossover.

Style

This is Kia's volume model, designed to go against the segment's big guns – cars like the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Toyota RAV4. As a result, it isn't so much styled as it is designed to meet the demands of the customer. If you want style, go across the showroom and check out a Kia Soul. If you're looking for affordable functionality, though, the Sportage fits the bill.

This isn't to say it's completely devoid of style. Short overhangs keep things looking clean, and swooping character lines add some visual interest on the port and starboard sides of this front-drive schooner. It might take some time to warm to that odd-looking front end, but the rear fascia has a nice design to it, thanks to those horizontally-oriented taillights and the horizontal lines on the bumper and hatch.

You'd think the innocuous design would make for a space-efficient interior, but surprisingly that isn't the case. Cargo space behind the second row is a scant 30 cubic feet – that's nine cubes shy of what the CR-V boasts. Likewise, it also trails the CR-V in nearly every measurable interior dimension, as well as the dimensions of the Escape and RAV4. Even though many of the dimensional discrepancies are slight, it still underscores the fact that the Sportage isn't as space-efficient as its peers, and especially so in regard to cargo space.

At least the interior is a comfortable place to spend time in. The seats are comfortable and supportive; the various soft-touch materials and both the leather and cloth upholstery are of higher-quality than you'd expect of a car with a $24,000 starting price. The feature count is especially impressive, and only improves as you move up the trim ladder. Mid-level EX models, for instance, come standard with leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, and dual-zone climate control. Move up to the SX Turbo and you get a full suite of active-safety features, an eight-inch touchscreen with navigation, and a Harmon-Kardon stereo system, among other things.

The Best and Worst Things

The comfortable and well-quipped interior, as well as that turbo engine, make the Sportage a compelling choice.

The price of that turbo engine is off-putting, to say the least, and the base engine could use more power down low. Also, the fact that the active-safety features can't be had without spending over $32,000 is disappointing. Where's that value Kia is so renowned for?

Right For? Wrong For?

Kia Sportage

Young families or older folk on a budget who want the space and clearance of an SUV but the efficiency and comfort of a car would be remiss if they didn't at least window shop the Sportage.

If you're looking for a spacious cargo area or more capability from the all-wheel-drive system, the Sportage isn't the best choice.

The Bottom Line

Crossovers are the new de facto family vehicle these days, thanks to how they marry positive traits from both SUVs and sedans. The 2019 Kia Sportage taps into this red-hot segment with a model that's friendly to the needs and budgets of consumers. In a crowded field with lots of good choices, the Sportage is a solid option that's worth a look.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.4L I-4 / 181 HP / 175 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
23 / 30 / 26 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.4L I-4 / 181 HP / 175 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
23 / 30 / 26 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Fuel Tank
16.4 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$63
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
60.1 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
99 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
176.4 "
Exterior Width
73.0 "
Exterior Height
64.4 " / 64.8 "
Front Headroom
39.3 "
Rear Headroom
39.1 "
Front Legroom
41.5 "
Rear Legroom
38.2 "
Front Shoulder Room
57.1 "
Rear Shoulder Room
55.1 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,305 Lbs.
Wheel Base
105 "
Turning Radius
17.4 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
17.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote
Bumpers
Front Body-colored With Black Insert
Grille Moldings
Black
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth / Premium Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way / (8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way / (8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver
Tinted Windows
Deep / Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
3
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Major Components Months
120 Months / 100,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / 100,000 Miles
Accessories Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles

Used 2019 Kia Sportage for Sale

7 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Kia
LX
Color: Red
Price

$13,940

Mileage

68,891 mi

Map location icon

Hertz Car Sales Inglewood (3 mi)

Phone: (888) 281-7263
Kia
EX
Color: Gray
Price

$15,935

Mileage

72,768 mi

Map location icon

Cardinale Way Mazda (47 mi)

Phone: (951) 393-0711
Kia
EX
Color: Blue
Price

$16,471

Mileage

60,498 mi

Map location icon

Auto Republic Fullerton (26 mi)

Phone: (714) 215-9142
Kia
EX
Color: Snow White Pearl
Price

$17,994

Mileage

40,869 mi

Map location icon

Car Pros KIA Glendale (17 mi)

Phone: (818) 745-1090
See All Used Car Listings

Insider Information

We have information you must know before you buy the Sportage. We want to send it to you, along with other pricing insights.

Sign Me Up

I agree to receive emails from CarsDirect. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. We will not spam you, and will never sell your email. Privacy Policy.

Thank you. You are now subscribed to our Pricing Insider updates.