Kia Sportage Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision
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The Kia Sportage is an excellent contender in the compact SUV segment, with the latest version offering a massive upgrade from previous iterations. It’s known for its roominess - but what else is there to understand? Those looking for a new car and considering this one should take a deep look at the Kia Sportage pros and cons.
If you’re interested in learning more about the best and worst aspects of the Kia Sportage, you’re in the right place. The more you know about what to expect in the Sportage, the easier it will be to determine if it’s the right choice for you. From the infotainment to the engine, there’s much to consider in the Kia Sportage.
What We Love: Kia Sportage Pros
From the solid infotainment system to the ample legroom, there’s much to appreciate in the Sportage. Let’s discuss the best of the Kia Sportage pros and cons.
Solid Infotainment System
First, the Kia Sportage offers a solid, straightforward infotainment system. You don’t need to guess with any of the features - they’re easy to use and offer everything you need to enjoy a fun and exciting ride every single time.
Here are a few features you will find in the Kia Sportage infotainment system:
- An 8-inch touchscreen with simple controls
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- HD radio
- Voice recognition
- Six-speaker radio
- USB port
- Bluetooth
These are all advanced, but none are so advanced they are impossible to understand.
The graphics on the touchscreen are crisp and easy to see while on the go. The menu is also very snappy and responsible, offering buttons that are easy to understand and learn. Smartphone integration is standard, which is excellent. Though there are some flaws, the overall system is solid.
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Plenty of Cargo Room
The Kia Sportage boasts plenty of cargo room, fit for adventures across the country or treks to a soccer game with all of the necessary gear in the back. The Kia Sportage has the most cargo room out of any compact vehicle. You get plenty of bank for your buck with the room offered for gear and packages in the rear.
According to cars.usnews.com, you will find 39.6 cubic feet of room for cargo in the back of the vehicle. Once the rear seats are folded down, you will find 74.1 cubic feet of space. That’s an incredible number for such a small vehicle - and it doesn’t stop there. There is also plenty of space for passengers.
Lots of Rear Legroom
Finally, riders in the Kia Sportage will find they have tons of legroom in the back of the vehicle. According to kia.com, passengers in the back will get 41.3 inches of legroom. This number is solid and is only slightly less than the 41.4 inches of legroom offered for those sitting in the front of the Kia Sportage. That’s a rarity in any car - much less a compact selection.
Legroom matters - in most compact SUVs, passengers are forced to sit in cramped positions which can be a pain over long distances on the road. The Kia Sportage takes a step out of the box and allows everyone to have enough room to stretch out their legs, making it much easier to drive for hours on the road without stopping along the way.
What We Dislike: Kia Sportage Cons
Of course, the troublesome cabin controls and low-powered engine can prove to be an issue with this car. Let’s go over the negatives of the Kia Sportage pros and cons.
Fumbly Cabin Controls
Unfortunately, there are some troubles with the cabin controls of the Kia Sportage. There is a touch-sensitive control panel right below the touchscreen - these buttons tend to be less responsive and aren’t as intuitive as other carefully crafted additions to the system.
Another area of the cabin where the Kia Sportage struggles is in the layout of the touch-sensitive control panel. The buttons aren’t in ideal positions for pressing, so they can be confusing to locate if you only have a few seconds to hit them.
The virtual buttons also tend to change depending on what you’re attempting to control. Overall, they are a pain and can make a frustrating contrast to the otherwise straightforward and intelligent cabin and infotainment design.
HOW LONG DO KIA SPORTAGES LAST?
It’s comfortable, spacious, and offers plenty of room for cargo - but what does its lifespan look like? The time a car can survive will impact how much money you have to spend. So - how long do Kia Sportages last?
Low-Powered Engine
Finally, we don’t like that the Kia Sportage has a low-powered engine. You’ll find the vehicle equipped with a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s capable of hitting 187 horsepower at its top performance levels. While this number is excellent for a night cruising around town, it’s less ideal if you’re in the mood for a good race.
This lack of speed will also prove troublesome as you attempt to merge with traffic and accelerate on the highway. It can feel like you’re straining the system if you push the gas pedal too hard.
The Sportage comes equipped with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission. This system fights hard to keep everything in one piece while it kicks into gear, though most often it just contributes to the unrefined design of the Kia Sportage. There is much lacking in the low power offered through the Kia Sportage’s standard engine system.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE KIA SPORTAGE
If you’re interested in purchasing a used version of the car, you might wonder - what is the most reliable Kia Sportage year?
Final Thoughts
There are many Kia Sportage pros and cons to consider before making a final investment. The car comes with a solid infotainment system, plenty of cargo room, and lots of legroom. However, on the other hand, it does come with faulty cabin controls and a low-powered engine that will negatively impact any speedster’s desired ride.
No matter what car you invest in, there will be benefits and disadvantages to consider. Although the Sportage is roomy, it does come with less power than other cars. While the cons might be a big deal to some, they might not be a problem for others. Ultimately, only you can determine if the Kia Sportage will be a valuable or terrible investment for your life.
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