2023 Kia Sportage Review

Name: 2023 Kia Sportage
Brand: Kia

Price Range: $17,926 - $32,998

2023 Kia Sportage SX 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

The 2023 Kia Sportage stands out with its comfortable ride quality, spacious seating and massive rear cargo area. It also comes with some appealing technology features and advanced driver aids. The Sportage's biggest shortcomings are its slow acceleration and underwhelming fuel economy.

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2023 Kia Sportage Review

Pros

Stylish, quiet and high-tech interior
Roomy seating and a huge cargo area
Added off-road capability with X-Pro trim

Cons

Standard engine supplies leisurely acceleration
Subpar fuel economy from this engine too

What's new

Redesigned for 2023
More passenger room and cargo space
Loaded with next-generation technology
2023 model kicks off the fifth Sportage generation

2023 Kia Sportage Video Shorts

by Edmunds Test Team

Overview

Written by automotive expert Christian Wardlaw

7/19/2022

Perception might not be everything but it's definitely important. Kia has long been seen as a value brand. However, the perception about value brands is that they can be cheap. Kia is out to change that view through compelling design, class-leading technology and smart packaging at a competitive price. You can see that in the midsize Telluride — the Edmunds Top Rated SUV three years in a row — the versatile three-row Sorento and now the redesigned 2023 Kia Sportage.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Converse, TX

1,474 listings

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2023 Kia Sportage
SX-Prestige 4dr SUV
$19,999
great price
- 51,006 miles
- 1 accident, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 25 City / 32 Hwy MPG
- America's Xtreme Auto (180 mi away)
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Houston, TX
Clean Title We Can Finance! We Take Trade IN-S! CALL US AT 832-553-0010 What makes us different? We specialize in hand selecting our pre-owned invento...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
28 Combined MPG (25 City/32 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5XYK53AF3PG015031
Stock: 22384
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-29-2025
2023 Kia Sportage
EX 4dr SUV
$22,988
great price
- 41,319 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 23 City / 28 Hwy MPG
- Mac Haik Ford Pasadena (188 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Pasadena, TX
This 2023 Kia Sportage EX in Sapphire Blue includes the following features: I4 8-Speed Automatic AWD AWD, 4-Wheel Disc Brakes, 6 Speakers, ABS brakes,...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (23 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5XYK3CAF4PG117685
Stock: IPG117685
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-11-2025

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The Sportage is Kia's compact crossover SUV. Its primary competitors are the best-selling models in the class, the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue and Toyota RAV4. But nearly every automaker has a compact SUV in its lineup, so it's no wonder the Sportage can get lost in the shuffle for a lot of shoppers.

Thanks to a complete redesign that dramatically improves almost everything about it, the new 2023 Sportage is more likely to attract positive attention. Highlights include comfortable seating in a roomier interior, expanded cargo capacity, a comprehensive collection of the latest tech features, and some legit off-road chops. Of course, the 2023 Sportage comes with Kia's class-leading warranty too.

The outgoing Kia Sportage wasn't terrible, but aside from its powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine option, it wasn't a standout either. The redesigned 2023 model is much more competitive than its predecessor and is an important model to consider if you're shopping for a small, value-packed SUV. Don't forget to check out the Sportage Hybrid and the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, which we review separately.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Jonathan Elfalan

Good

7.9

out of 10

We drove the 2023 Kia Sportage on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

6.5/10

How does the Sportage drive? The Sportage fails to impress in day-to-day driving. The mildly off-road-focused nature of the X-Pro trim we tested, with its all-terrain tires, makes on-road handling feel a bit softer, but that's less of an issue than the lack of power. It took our Sportage test car more than 9.5 seconds to reach highway speeds of 60 mph, which is very slow and seconds behind class leaders. There are no other engines offered unless you opt for the Sportage Hybrid, which we highly recommend checking out.

The engine makes most driving scenarios more work than it should be. The transmission is constantly hunting for the right gear to maximize available power, and the driver needs to plan for passing maneuvers well ahead of when they might need to happen. We otherwise found the steering easy and accurate and the brakes smooth and responsive. Replace the engine with something else and it would be a much better experience.

Comfort

8.5/10

How comfortable is the Sportage? The Sportage has you covered if comfort is a priority. The seats may not offer an extensive amount of adjustments, but they offer excellent support and cushioning in all the right places. The upholstery isn't fancy but feels durable, and if you opt for the higher trim models, the front seats include ventilation and heat functions. The rear seats have a lot of adjustable recline, which will certainly make your rear passengers happy.

The Sportage suspension is very softly tuned. That allows the Sportage to absorb bumps and broken pavement well but sometimes causes it to uncomfortably bob up and down around a little more if the road is undulating. Kia also did a great job at keeping unwanted noise out of the cabin and keeping the interior free of squeaks or rattles.

We think the climate control layout is pretty slick — the touch panel controls convert to media controls when not in use — but we could see some people not liking it. Interface aside, the system performance is strong and effective at maintaining your target cabin temperature.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? A thoughtful and user-friendly interior is another Sportage strong suit. Kia has leveled up the look and design of the interior without sacrificing functionality. Maybe the new touchscreen iconography, which resembles neon signs, won't be to everyone's taste but it at least looks modern, and Kia has retained many useful physical buttons. All-wheel-drive Sportages have more ground clearance, 8.3 inches, than front-wheel-drive models (7.1 inches), which makes step-in height marginally higher as well. But it's still a relatively easy vehicle to slide in and out of, especially with its nice, squared-off door openings.

Visibility is great thanks to big windows and body dimensions that are easy to gauge from the driver's seat. And for those who want even better visibility, the Prestige trims include an excellent surround-view camera system. Passenger space is generous throughout the cabin as well, with the exception of front headroom. Although people 6 feet tall and under should have no issues, we wonder if the exceptionally tall will feel too close to the roof in the front seat.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? Kia offers loads of in-car tech and driver aids with the Sportage. Standard features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a plethora of USB-A and -C ports in both rows. Our test vehicle was equipped with a wireless charging pad as well as 12.3-inch displays for both the instrument cluster and infotainment system. Onboard navigation, which our test Sportage had, is straightforward to operate, though it's a bummer that it doesn't have live traffic information. Also, the touchscreen inputs lock out when you're on the move.

The Sportage is available with loads of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view monitor and parking assist. We like how it all works in real-world use. The adaptive cruise holds good gaps without constantly tapping the brakes, and we didn't have any false alerts with any of the collision systems. Smart Park will pull the Sportage out or into a parking spot using just the key fob. It's a neat party trick.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? Storage has become a hallmark of any modern small SUV worth its mettle, and the Sportage delivers. With 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 74.1 cubic feet with that row folded down, the Sportage is one of the most spacious vehicles in this class. The load floor is wide and flat, and the rear seats can be folded down from the hatch. The rear seats have car seat anchors that are pretty easy to locate and access, and the rear seat is spacious enough for even larger rear-facing car seats.

Storage in the rest of the cabin is excellent, too. The center console has a small lidded bin in front of the shifter that houses USB ports and a wireless pad, though it's large enough for more than just a phone. The cupholders are clever too, and they can retract into the walls to make space for larger beverages or create another bin for other things. The Sportage can tow up to 2,500 pounds when properly equipped. That's average for a small SUV and enough for a small trailer or boat.

Fuel Economy

6/10

How’s the fuel economy? In all-wheel-drive form with its all-terrain tires, the Sportage X-Pro is EPA-estimated to return 25 mpg combined (23 city/28 highway). This isn't that great, considering many competitors manage to return better efficiency. Adding insult to injury is how slow the Sportage is in return. Usually you give up one quality for another. We managed 26.4 mpg on our 115-mile highway-heavy evaluation route, which indicates the Kia should meet its economy estimates. But if you're like us and see yourself being heavy on the gas around town, expect this number to decrease.

Value

8/10

Is the Sportage a good value? The Sportage packs in a lot of features and feels like good value for the money, but it doesn't have as big of a price advantage over its competitors as it used to. What it provides in return is an attractive cabin with sound build quality and some premium luxuries like ventilated seats that some competitors simply don't offer. Our loaded Sportage X-Pro Prestige test model had nearly every feature you'd want in a modern small SUV.

Kia offers a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and covers the powertrain for 10 years/100,000 miles. That's stellar stuff that no one, other than sister company Hyundai, can really match. Kia also includes five years/60,000 miles of roadside assistance.

Wildcard

7/10

We think this Sportage is an improvement over the previous model in appearance, but we're not convinced the styling will be for everyone. It's aggressive and bold and maybe just a hair over the top. But, hey, maybe you love that! We do love the interior direction Kia has taken and think most people will too.

While the X-Pro trim is designed to pull more off-road duty, and even looks a little rugged, we aren't sure it can step up in a real way. The powertrain is probably the weakest link here, and with most of our time being spent on the road, it's what spoils the experience for us.

2023 Kia Sportage trim level differences

Kia sells this compact crossover as the Sportage, Sportage Hybrid and Sportage Plug-in Hybrid. Edmunds reviews the latter two versions separately, so this buyer's guide pertains only to the standard Sportage.

Which Sportage trim does Edmunds recommend?

If you're looking for the best blend of features and value, take a close look at the Sportage EX. It costs just two grand more than the base LX trim but adds an incredible amount of content for that upcharge. From nicer wheels and improved comfort to better infotainment and safety systems, the Sportage EX packs a powerful punch for the price.

Compare 2023 Kia Sportage trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas

$124/mo

$159/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

See Edmunds pricing data

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Reliability

The 2023 Kia Sportage has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and 6 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #7 out of 29 among Compact SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent

#7 out of 29 among Compact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$406/yr

vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Frequency

0.83x/yr

vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Severity

10.9%

vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV

Recalls

6 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 24V025000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC292
Number of vehicles affected:: 101049
Defect Description:: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
Defect Consequence:: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.

Recall Number:: 23V531000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC275
Number of vehicles affected:: 39765
Defect Description:: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
Defect Consequence:: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Corrective Action:: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.

Recall Number:: 23V410000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC272
Number of vehicles affected:: 98944
Defect Description:: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The brake booster diaphragm may become misaligned and cause an internal vacuum leak, which can result in a loss of power brake assist.
Defect Consequence:: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake booster as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC272.

Recall Number:: 23V298000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC270
Number of vehicles affected:: 108936
Defect Description:: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Defect Consequence:: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

Recall Number:: 22V878000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC257
Number of vehicles affected:: 76918
Defect Description:: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been twisted during installation.
Defect Consequence:: A twisted air bag can deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 28, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC257.

Recall Number:: 22V651000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC248
Number of vehicles affected:: 19701
Defect Description:: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The alternator battery positive terminal nut may loosen, which can result in an engine stall or an electrical surge.
Defect Consequence:: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash, and an electrical surge increases the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and tighten the alternator battery positive terminal nut, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 23, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC248.

Warranty

5 years / 60,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles

Kia Sportage Owner Reviews

3.6

96 reviews

5(51%)

4(8%)

3(13%)

2(7%)

1(21%)

See all 96 reviews Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Brand new car in the shop for a month and counting

Replace my car, 09/10/2022

2023 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

If there was a way to give this car a big fat zero stars, I would. Had it for 6 weeks and when my daughter was driving it on the freeway, it started decelarating to 30 mph! An incredibly dangerous scenario. We brought it in to the dealership and they checked the codes. They said nothing showed up and that we needed to put a few more miles on it before they could tell whats wrong. …

serious engine problems

Becca, 08/21/2022

2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

Less than 60 days after buying the car the transmission slips and now my check engine light flashes, making it not drivable. It has already been taken to Kia once and I was told it needed a “software update”. They give it back and 2 days later we’re right back where we started. This has been a nightmare and I will never buy a Kia again.

Major Safety Issues with New 2023 Kia Sportage

Matt Anderson, 06/19/2023

2023 Kia Sportage X-Line 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

I bought a new 2023 Kia Sportage in October 2022. With only 5,127 miles on the car, there have already been two recalls and we have a major issue that the service center near us has been working on for two weeks. Working with Kia’s techs and the US Tech Line has been atrocious. For the past few months, we’ve had an issue with the car where it intermittently decides that the buttons …

Great Car with Poor Acceleration

AJ USA, 05/22/2022

2023 Kia Sportage SX-Prestige 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

There are a lot of things to like about this car. The ride, the interior, the quietness, the smooth shifting transmission, the interior room and the array of technical features. I also use the stop/start feature which works very well compared with Toyota and Subaru vehicles I owned where the entire car shook every time the engine turned off or on. The function on the Sportage is very …

See all 96 reviews of the Kia Sportage

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2023 Kia Sportage video

Small SUV Comparison Test | Honda CR-V vs. Kia Sportage vs. Mazda CX-50

The Honda CR-V has been one of the best selling and most popular small SUVs in America for some time now. But with the redesign of the Kia Sportage and the release of the new Mazda Cx-50, the CR-V has some new competition. In this video, Lauren McCay and Ryan ZumMallen from Edmunds present our small SUV comparison test of the 2022 Honda CR-V vs. 2023 Kia Sportage vs. 2023…

2023 Sportage Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$26,290
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$124/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	39.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Sportage models:

Junction Turning Detection: Automatically brakes the Sportage when turning left at an intersection if oncoming traffic is present.
Lane Following Assist: Adds steering input to help center the Sportage in the lane of travel.
Highway Driving Assist: Pairs the adaptive cruise control and Lane Following Assist for semi-autonomous highway driving with your hands on the steering wheel.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
RolloverNot Rated
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2023 Kia Sportage Review

Selling or Trading-In?

Price & Payment

2023 Kia Sportage Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

2023 Kia Sportage Video Shorts

Overview

For sale near Converse, TX

2023 Kia SportageSX-Prestige 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2023 Kia SportageEX 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2023 Kia Sportage trim level differences

Which Sportage trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Recalls

Warranty

Kia Sportage Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Brand new car in the shop for a month and counting

serious engine problems

Major Safety Issues with New 2023 Kia Sportage

Great Car with Poor Acceleration

2023 Kia Sportage video

Small SUV Comparison Test | Honda CR-V vs. Kia Sportage vs. Mazda CX-50

2023 Sportage Highlights

Safety

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SX-Prestige 4dr SUV

2023 Kia Sportage
EX 4dr SUV