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Review Kia Sportage (2025): familiar success number in a more modern guise

July 16, 2025

With more than 7 million units sold worldwide, the Kia Sportage is an absolute bestseller. But standing still is going backwards – and so there is an updated version for Europe. It is a thorough facelift of the generation that entered the market in 2022. Both on the outside and on the inside, distinct changes have been made, bringing the car back up to date.

Kia Sportage – recognizable from the outside

On the outside, the headlight units, among others, have been updated. Tighter accent lines have also been added, giving the Kia Sportage a slightly more modern and angular look. The design is now more in line with the design language of Kia’s electric models without looking directly like it. The rear has also been redesigned with tighter lines and modern light units. The wheel arches are designed wide and powerful, and depending on trim, the Kia Sportage is on 17-, 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels, with special designs for the rims on the GT-Line, as shown.







In addition, the space in the rear is particularly striking. With a luggage space of 587 liters, the Kia Sportage offers serious practicality, depending on the powertrain, and can be increased to as much as 1,776 liters with the rear seats flat. A double load floor on MHEV and HEV variants makes the cargo space extra flexible. A handy addition is the button that allows you to fold down the rear seats in one go. That rear seat can be folded down in a 40-20-40 ratio – ideal if you want to take four people with you as well as put long luggage, such as skis or a board, through the middle.

As for seating space in the back, it’s fine for four adults, although it can feel a bit cramped for taller people. Our editor also noticed this during the test, but then he is above average height.







Hybrid powertrain

At present, the updated Kia Sportage will only be marketed in the Netherlands as a hybrid variant. There is talk of other powertrains, such as a “regular” gasoline version, a mild hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, but for now only the regular hybrid is available. That hybrid version combines a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with electric assistance, good for about 176 kW (239 hp). That electric assistance is especially noticeable at low speeds and during acceleration. It not only ensures smoother performance, but also contributes to better fuel economy.







Drive is via a six-speed automatic transmission. While driving, the most striking thing is the comfortable and stable handling. The Kia Sportage is still maneuverable enough for driving in the city or on country roads, partly because it is not an overly large SUV. You notice this in corners, for example, where you don’t feel the weight pushing you outwards. The car remains surprisingly dynamic, especially for its size.

There is plenty of power, even if you are hiking in the mountains or traveling with a caravan, for example. You can choose from several driving modes, including Eco and Sport. In Sport mode, the car is more responsive and you drive at higher speeds.

Speaking of that caravan, the maximum towing weight of the hybrid version is 1,510 kg. This is not exceptional within this segment. Some competitors, such as the Ford Kuga, are allowed to tow up to 2,100 kg. So that’s something to consider. If you are specifically looking for a C-segment SUV with a higher towing weight, there are alternatives. But for the average caravan enthusiast, 1,500 kg is often more than enough in practice.

Ease of use

When it comes to driver assistance systems, the updated Kia Sportage is also right up to date. The car is packed with smart assistance systems that contribute to both comfort and safety. Think of things like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and blind spot detection. However, there is still one point of improvement: it would be nice if there was some kind of shortcut or hotkey available to activate your personal preferences for driver assistance systems immediately when starting the car. Now you have to manually turn your favorite settings on or off via the infotainment system every time.







Otherwise, in-car controls are fine. The dashboard features two large 12.3-inch digital screens – one for the driver and one for the infotainment system. That system, by the way, offers surprisingly modern extras, such as the ability to pay parking fees directly from the car, or stream on-demand content via YouTube or Netflix. Still, not everything is digital: Kia has deliberately retained a number of physical buttons to operate the infotainment and climate controls. That strikes a fine balance between modern technology and ease of use.

The finish is also very good – the materials feel solid and everything is well put together. The test car we drove was a GT-Line, a richly equipped version with cool accents and more luxury, in upholstery for example.







Models and prices Kia Sportage

The entry-level version of the new Kia Sportage starts at 42,795 euros. With this, Kia once again offers an attractive and well-equipped C-segment SUV, which is clearly a step up from the model introduced in 2022. The new Sportage Hybrid will be available at Dutch dealers from September. The Kia Sportage Hybrid is available in five trims: