Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage is a series of automobiles manufactured by the South Korean manufacturer Kia since 1993 through five generations. Initially a compact SUV built on a body-on-frame chassis, the second-generation Sportage transitioned to a car-based platform which placed it into the compact crossover SUV class, and was originally developed alongside the Hyundai Tucson and since the fifth-generation model launched in 2021, in two sizes with different wheelbase lengths for different markets, alongside the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia Sorento.
The Sportage has been the best-selling Kia model globally since 2016 after surpassing the Rio. In 2018, the model reached the 5 million production milestone., the Sportage is positioned between the Seltos or Niro and the three-row Sorento in Kia's SUV global lineup with the latter sharing platform with the Sportage.

First generation (NB; 1993)

The first-generation Kia Sportage was developed with a Mazda Bongo engineering base platform. It shares many mechanical components such as the engine, transmissions, and differentials with the Mazda line of vehicles. This was during Kia's alliance with Ford and Mazda, which involved Ford/Mazda providing technology and Kia providing inexpensive manufacturing facilities for Ford Company.
From 1995 to 1998, the Sportage was built by Karmann in Germany; European buyers received German-built versions in that period, while the rest of the world received South Korean-built versions. It was launched in Asia in July 1993 and European sales started two years later.
The Sportage was sold in either a five-door SUV or a three-door soft-top convertible. Kia initially developed the wagon in standard length form, but in circa 1996, the company released an extended length version. This stretched model—mainly sold in Asian markets under the name "Sportage Grand", but also as the "Grand Wagon"—featured a longer body utilizing the same wheelbase, an increase in luggage capacity from, and the relocation of the spare wheel from the tailgate to underneath the floor.
Kia offered three Mazda-sourced engines in the Sportage, beginning with the 2.0-litre FE DOHC inline-four petrol unit producing and the 2.0-litre RF inline-four diesel rated at. Diesel-engined models were mostly restricted to European markets, as was the more basic single overhead camshaft version of the 2.0-litre FE petrol inline-four. Delivering, this petrol engine was available from 2000 onwards. In North America, the 2.0-litre FE DOHC engine produced and had optional four-wheel drive. The 1997 model year Kia Sportage was the world's first production vehicle to be equipped with a knee airbag.
This first-generation model sold in low numbers, even domestically in South Korea, and models after Hyundai's 1998 partial takeover of Kia were recalled twice for rear wheels dismounting while driving. The first-generation Sportage was discontinued in South Korea in 2002, and in North America after the 2002 model year. By 2003, most international markets had discontinued the Sportage range, although it remained on sale in some developing countries until its second-generation replacement arrived in 2005.
The Kia Sportage scored the lowest possible result in the Australian ANCAP crash tests – one star out of five. As well as a failure of the seat belts, the vehicle structure collapsed.

Facelift

Engines

Second generation (JE/KM; 2004)

After a two-year hiatus, the Sportage returned in model-year 2005, sharing a Hyundai Elantra-based platform with the first-generation Hyundai Tucson. A 2.0 L straight-4 diesel engine was available in the United Kingdom. Fans of the original pre-Hyundai Sportage and critics complained that it was considerably larger than the original Sportage and had none of its off-road capability, the two keys to its success. However, buyers of the second-generation model were likely to favor the available V6, with. Overall fit/finish and quality was noticeably improved over the first-generation model.
A facelift model of the second generation was introduced in May 2008. From 2006, it was manufactured at the Žilina Plant in Slovakia. A second facelift was introduced in the UK in early 2009, only a few months after its first facelift.
The Sportage was named as one of the most reliable vehicles from the 2009 Consumer Reports reliability survey. and ranked second in the "20 least expensive 2009 vehicles to insure" list by Insure.com.

First facelift

Second facelift

Safety

The second-generation Sportage earned a top rating of five stars in crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated it only “acceptable” for frontal and side impact crash protection and “poor” for roof strength.

Test	Rating
Overall:
Moderate overlap front	Acceptable
Side	Acceptable
Roof strength	Poor
Head restraints and seats	Poor

Engines

Third generation (SL; 2010)

The SL series Sportage was released to Asian and European markets in April 2010, the North and Central American markets in August 2010, and the Australian market in October 2010, for the 2011 model year. Two engines were available, a 2.0-litre Hyundai R diesel engine with, and a 2.0-litre Theta T-GDi petrol engine. In China, it was released by Dongfeng Yueda Kia in October 2010 and called the Sportage R, and was to be built and marketed alongside the previous generation rather than as a replacement for it.
The Sportage won the 2011 Car of the Year in Slovakia and "Truck of the Year" nomination of International Car of the Year. It was top of the JD Power Survey for 2012, the only car in the survey to score five stars across all categories, from mechanical reliability to ownership costs and the dealer experience. In South Africa, it took the 2013 Standard Bank People's Wheels Award for "SUVs and Crossovers – City & Suburban".

Facelift

The third generation received a facelift for the 2014 model year that included a new grille with a redesigned Kia logo, LED tail lights and redesigned alloy wheels.

Safety

Euro NCAP

The Sportage in its standard European market configuration received 5 stars from Euro NCAP in 2010.

IIHS

The third-generation Sportage received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the United States. Earning the award became tougher in 2010 when IIHS added the rollover crash test, which measures roof strength and is twice as stringent as the federal requirement. To pass this test, a vehicle's roof must be able to withstand the force of three times the vehicle's weight. The federal standard requires a roof to hold 1.5 times the vehicle's weight.

Test	Rating
Overall
Small overlap front	Poor
Moderate overlap front	Good
Side	Good
Roof strength	Good
Head restraints and seats	Good

ANCAP

Engines

Fourth generation (QL; 2015)

Kia unveiled its newly redesigned Sportage at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2015, and brought it to market in 2016. The company said the contrasting sharp edges and smooth surfaces were inspired by modern fighter jets.
There are three petrol engines, as well as one diesel engine in the line-up. The petrol options are a 1.6-litre, 2.0-litre or 2.4-litre, offering and, and, and and respectively, while the diesel is a 2.0-litre, R-series turbo producing and. A and 1.6 T-GDi turbo-petrol with an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is also available. Front- and all-wheel drive configurations are available.
In North America, the fourth generation Sportage was offered with three trim levels. Much like the previous model, it is available with two inline-four engine choices, a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre and a turbocharged 2.0-litre. The 2.4-litre produces and, while the turbocharged engine makes and, with small variations in performance dependent on whether FWD or AWD is configured. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Facelift

In North America, the facelift model was introduced mid-2019 as an early 2020 model year. The changes included redesigned headlights and bumpers, with the front end taking cues from the recently introduced Stinger. Equipment levels were raised somewhat across the board, while a new, somewhat sporty model called "S" was introduced, priced between the LX and EX models.

Safety

The Latin American Sportage has ventilated front disc brakes and solid ones in the rear.

Euro NCAP

The Sportage in its standard European market configuration received 5 stars from Euro NCAP in 2015.

Latin NCAP

The Korean-made Sportage in its most basic Latin American market configuration with 2 airbags and no ESC received 0 stars from Latin NCAP 3.0 in 2021.

IIHS

2017

The 2017 Sportage received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Test	Rating	-
Overall:		-
Small overlap front	Good	-
Small overlap front	Good	-
Moderate overlap front	Good	-
Side	Good	-
Side	Marginal	-
Roof strength	Good	-
Head restraints and seats	Good	-
Headlights	Poor	-
Front crash prevention	Superior	optional
Child seat anchors ease of use	Acceptable	-