The All-New Kia Sportage 2024: A Comprehensive Review
The 2024 Kia Sportage is turning heads and making waves. A compact SUV with a whole lot to offer, this model aims to win over anyone who gets behind the wheel. This review dives deep into the features, performance, comfort, and overall value of the Kia Sportage 2024, and of course, we’ll keep it honest and professional while sprinkling in some genuine human insights.
Redesigned for a Bolder Appeal
Kia has truly stepped up its game with the Sportage this year. With a complete redesign from last year's model, the 2024 Sportage is bold and futuristic. Its striking exterior, spacious interior, and a slew of modern tech features make it stand out in a crowded compact SUV market. Let's take a closer look at how the Sportage performs across different areas.
Design and Exterior
The 2024 Sportage embraces a new identity. Kia’s designers were clearly aiming for a bolder look, and they've hit the nail on the head. From the signature Tiger Nose grille to the boomerang-shaped LED headlights, this SUV screams style. The vehicle's athletic profile with sharp lines and defined curves creates an impression of motion even when the car is stationary.
Key Exterior Features:
- Sleek body lines and an aerodynamic shape
- LED headlights and taillights
- Alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 19 inches
- Available panoramic sunroof
- Roof rails for a sporty touch
The Sportage comes in a variety of trims and colors to suit different styles. Alex Collantes notes, "The 2024 Kia Sportage isn't just another SUV on the road. It stands out with its futuristic styling and sharp design cues. Kia's nailed the balance between looking sporty and maintaining a certain sophistication."
Potential Drawback:
Some buyers may find the bold design too avant-garde, especially if they prefer a more conservative-looking SUV. Also, the large grille might not appeal to everyone's tastes.
Interior and Comfort
Stepping inside the Kia Sportage 2024, you immediately notice how spacious and modern it feels. With its clean layout, quality materials, and soft-touch surfaces, the interior offers a refined and premium experience. Even in the base trim, the Sportage feels far more upscale than you might expect from a compact SUV.
Interior Highlights:
- Spacious front and rear seating
- Upgraded infotainment system with available dual-screen displays
- Soft-touch materials and faux leather accents
- Heated and ventilated seats (available on higher trims)
- Ample cargo space
Rear Passenger Comfort
The rear seat experience in the Sportage is particularly noteworthy. With more legroom than many of its competitors, it’s an excellent choice for families or for those who frequently have passengers. The rear seats recline for added comfort on long journeys, and there's plenty of headroom as well.
Potential Drawback: Some may find the touch-sensitive buttons on the infotainment system a little tricky to use while driving. Traditional buttons and knobs can be more user-friendly and require less attention.
Technology and Infotainment
In terms of technology, the Sportage is a significant upgrade from its predecessor. The dashboard layout is intuitive, and depending on the trim, you can get a large panoramic curved display that combines both the digital gauge cluster and the infotainment screen into one slick unit.
Tech Features:
- Standard 8-inch touchscreen or available 12.3-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
- Available wireless charging pad
- Optional Harman Kardon premium sound system
- Driver-assist features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control
Usability
The infotainment system is responsive and offers crisp graphics. Smartphone integration is seamless, making it easy to access navigation, music, and more. Plus, the available surround-view camera and parking sensors are a huge help in tight spots.
Potential Drawback: The lower trims still require wired connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless integration would have been a plus, especially considering how tech-forward the Sportage aims to be.
Performance and Engine Options
The 2024 Kia Sportage offers a variety of powertrains designed to cater to different needs, whether you're looking for efficiency or power. The base engine is a 2.5-liter inline-4 that produces 187 horsepower. It’s paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Engine Options and Specs:
-
2.5-liter Inline-4 Gas Engine
- 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque
- Estimated MPG: 25 city / 32 highway
- Available in both FWD and AWD
-
1.6-liter Turbocharged Hybrid
- Combined power of 226 hp (engine + electric motor)
- Estimated MPG: 39 combined
- Available AWD
Driving Experience
The Sportage delivers a smooth and refined ride. The suspension is well-tuned for both city driving and highway cruising. Steering is responsive, and overall handling is nimble, making it feel more car-like than SUV-like. The hybrid model is particularly impressive, offering quicker acceleration than the base model and exceptional fuel efficiency.
Potential Drawback: While the base engine is adequate for daily driving, some might find it lacks the power for quick overtakes or spirited driving. The turbocharged hybrid adds some zest but comes at a higher price point.
Fuel Efficiency and Eco-Friendly Options
One of the significant selling points of the 2024 Kia Sportage is its impressive fuel efficiency. Even the non-hybrid model manages respectable numbers. However, the hybrid model steals the show, providing almost 40 miles per gallon combined.
Fuel Economy Estimates:
- Gas Engine: Up to 25 MPG city and 32 MPG highway
- Hybrid: Up to 39 MPG combined
Kia also offers a plug-in hybrid variant for those looking to further minimize their carbon footprint. This model features a larger battery pack, allowing for a pure electric driving range of around 32 miles, perfect for short commutes or city driving.
Potential Drawback: The plug-in hybrid model comes at a higher initial cost. Buyers need to consider whether the savings on fuel will balance out the higher price over time.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Kia has ensured that the 2024 Sportage is packed with a range of safety features to give drivers peace of mind. From its reinforced body structure to its suite of driver-assist technologies, the Sportage makes safety a top priority.
Standard and Available Safety Features:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning
- Lane Keeping and Following Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go
These features, combined with Kia’s reputation for reliability, make the Sportage a safe bet for any buyer.
Potential Drawback: While the driver assistance features are comprehensive, some users might find the lane-keeping assist to be too sensitive. It can be a bit intrusive when it constantly tries to correct your path even if you're driving within the lane.
Trims and Pricing
Kia offers the 2024 Sportage in several trims to cater to a wide range of budgets and preferences. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from each trim level:
-
LX (Base model)
- Standard safety features
- 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Cloth seats
- Starts around $26,000
-
EX
- Leatherette seats
- Power driver’s seat
- Heated front seats
- Starts around $28,000
-
SX and SX Prestige
- Larger 12.3-inch touchscreen
- Panoramic sunroof
- Upgraded driver-assist features
- Starts around $31,000
-
X-Line and X-Pro
- Off-road inspired trims
- AWD standard
- More rugged design elements
- Starts around $34,000
The hybrid model adds around $3,000 to the cost of the comparable gas model. The plug-in hybrid is expected to start closer to $39,000.
Potential Drawback:
With so many trims and options, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Also, the price can quickly climb if you start adding premium packages or opt for the hybrid versions.
Warranty and Reliability
Kia stands out for offering one of the best warranties in the industry. The 2024 Sportage comes with:
- 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance
These warranties provide an added peace of mind, ensuring that buyers are covered for any major issues down the road.
Final Verdict: The 2024 Kia Sportage
Overall, the 2024 Kia Sportage is a well-rounded compact SUV that brings style, tech, and comfort in one solid package. It's ideal for families, commuters, and anyone looking for a balance of space, features, and fuel efficiency.
Pros:
- Bold, modern design
- Spacious and upscale interior
- Advanced safety features
- Excellent warranty coverage
- Option for hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains
Cons:
- Base engine lacks power for spirited driving
- Some tech features require wired connections
- Touch-sensitive controls can be tricky to use
Alex Collantes’s Take: "If you're looking for a compact SUV that delivers on comfort, tech, and efficiency, the 2024 Kia Sportage should be on your radar. It's a car that ticks a lot of boxes without breaking the bank. Sure, it has a few quirks, but those are small trade-offs for what is otherwise an impressive package."
Conclusion
The 2024 Kia Sportage impresses with its sleek design, comfortable cabin, and advanced tech features. It's not perfect, and there are a few areas where it could improve, but overall, it's a strong contender in the compact SUV market. For those who want a vehicle that stands out visually, provides a smooth ride, and offers a variety of powertrains, the Sportage makes a compelling choice.
If you're considering a new compact SUV, give the 2024 Kia Sportage a test drive—there’s a good chance it’ll make your shortlist.