2020 Kia Sportage Review

Despite its funky name — which sounds like a word Bill and/or Ted would use to describe an ancient soccer game — the Kia Sportage is actually a fairly conventional compact crossover. It's less expensive than many of its rivals, yet it offers a ton of optional features and even a powerful turbocharged engine for spirited drivers. The fourth-generation Sportage hasn't changed much since its debut in 2017, but a few revisions for next year's model make it more value-rich than ever. The 2020 Kia Sportage will launch later this year with new safety systems, a restyled exterior and a greater emphasis on tech features.

Adding Value in a Budget-Friendly Segment

A handful of upgrades makes the 2020 Sportage look sharper than its predecessor. The front bumper has been redesigned with a new chrome strip that runs between the imitation air inlets to break up the lower half of the front end. A silver-painted lower section that looks like a skid plate gives the Sportage an off-road-ready appearance. Newly available LED headlights and a restyled rear end round out the rest of the Sportage's exterior enhancements.

Inside, every new Sportage will come standard with the current model's optional 8-inch touchscreen, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. All models — including the new S trim, which sits between the LX and the EX — come with a new steering wheel, while upper trims add faux-leather seating surfaces and a wireless charging pad.

Nothing changes power-wise with the two engines offered: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (181 horsepower, 175 pound-feet of torque) and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (240 hp and 260 lb-ft). While the Sportage already offers a number of driver aids, even more will be available on the refreshed model. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is new for 2020, and it can slow the Sportage to a full stop. (Some competing ACC systems disengage at low speeds.) The lane departure warning feature now helps steer the Sportage back into the lane if it begins to cross the lane marker. The forward collision warning system now detects pedestrians, while the new Driver Attention Warning feature can raise an alert when it detects that the driver is distracted.

Pricing and Release Date

The 2020 Kia Sportage will go on sale in LX, S, EX and SX trims in the second quarter of this year; look for it at your local Kia dealership in spring or early summer. Prices have not been announced yet, but the newly standard touchscreen system might bump the 2020 Sportage's starting price slightly higher than the 2020 model's base price of $24,795 (including destination).