Kia Sportage running costs and reliability

2022 onwards (change model)

Running costs rating: 4.2 out of 54.2

Kia Sportage review (2022) front view, driving

Written by Alan Taylor-Jones Updated: 14 August 2024

Miles per pound (mpp) ⓘ

Low figures relate to the least economical version; high to the most economical. Based on WLTP combined fuel economy for versions of this car made since September 2017 only, and typical current fuel or electricity costs.

Petrol engines	5.9 - 6.6 mpp
Diesel engines	6.6 - 6.9 mpp
Hybrid petrol engines	6.5 - 7.4 mpp
Plug-in hybrid petrol engines *	N/A

What is miles per pound?

Fuel economy ⓘ

Low figures relate to the least economical version; high to the most economical. Based on WLTP combined fuel economy for versions of this car made since September 2017 only.

Petrol engines	40.4 - 44.8 mpg
Diesel engines	51.4 - 54.3 mpg
Hybrid petrol engines	44.1 - 50.4 mpg
Plug-in hybrid petrol engines *	N/A

View mpg & specs for any version

Sportage no longer the bargain choice
Plug-in model is the cheapest to run
Long warranty impresses

What are the running costs?

Sportages aren’t as cheap as they used to be, with the versions you’d actually want starting at the low to mid £30,000 range. Plug-in hybrid versions are the cheapest to run, if the most expensive to buy. It is capable of 43 miles of EV-only range in official WLTP testing and emits just 25g/km of CO2 emissions.

Front-wheel drive hybrid models are the most efficient non-plug-in versions, with some versions dipping below 130g/km, not bad for the class. Diesels are nearly as efficient on paper, with the mild hybrid petrols proving competitive if not particularly impressive for emissions. Non-hybrid models are best left to private buyers who don’t have to worry about CO2 figures for BIK company car tax.

During our time on test, the full hybrid Sportage managed a reasonable 40-45mpg, while the plug-in hybrid model returned a more impressive 80mpg – although you’ll only see those figures on the trip computer if you keep the battery topped up. Expect mild hybrid and regular petrol engines to do mid to high 30s.

If you’re considering a Sportage as you next company car, bear in mind that the PHEV model has a Benefit-in-Kind tax rating of just eight percent. A comparable Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line eHybrid comes in at 14 percent, which means you’ll be much better off with the Kia.

View detailed MPG and CO2 figures on the Kia Sportage specs pages

Servicing and warranty

The Sportage is available with a fixed price servicing plan so you can spread the cost out monthly if you wish. Intervals are every 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. It’s worth sticking with dealer servicing as a class-leading seven year or 100,000 mile warranty is standard.

Reliability

Kia’s overall reliability record is good
Awaiting information on the latest version
Previous car had a couple of recalls

Kia has a generally good record for reliability and the previous generation Sportage was no exception. There were a couple of recalls on that model and we wouldn’t discount that happening with this all-new model.

As and when we know how this generation behaves, we’ll update this review.