Closest available photo (2020 model year); you're viewing the 2021.
Overview
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Transmission
- Automatic (S6)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Powertrain
- GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Fuel
- RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Engine & performance
- HP
- 235
- Power to weight
- 0.063 hp/lb
- Axle ratio
- 3.32
- Aspiration
- TurbochargedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Start-stop system
- NoEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Efficiency
- MPG Hwy
- 24 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- MPG City
- 19 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- MPG Comb
- 21 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Fuel $/yr
- $2,950EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- CO₂
- 421 g/miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Eco Score
- 4/10EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Smog score
- 5/10
- Elec. Range
- 0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- SmartWay certified
- No
Dimensions & capacity
- Wheelbase
- 105 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- Curb Weight
- 3,739 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
- GVWR class
- Class 1C (4,001 to 5,000 lb)NHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 10/13/2026
Safety NHTSA record NHTSA, model year
⚠ This model year has a recall advising owners to park outside or away from structures (fire risk). Check with the manufacturer.
- Overall crash rating
- ★★★★★
- Rollover rating
- ★★★★★
- Stability control (ESC)
- Standard
- Forward-collision warning
- Optional
- Lane-departure warning
- Standard
- Recalls
- 2
- Owner complaints
- 54 See on NHTSA
- Reported injuries
- 4
Feature availability
Cameras & visibility
- Backup cameraStandard
Driver assist
- Adaptive cruise controlStandard
- Automatic emergency brakingPart of Kia Drive Wise.Standard
- Lane-keeping assistStandard
Convenience
- Push-button startStandard
Recalls NHTSA record NHTSA, model year
22V703000 Park outside Sep 19, 2022 TRAILER HITCHESKia America, Inc.
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Vehicles covered (all models): 70,887
Full notice21V137000 Park outside Mar 4, 2021 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles.
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
Vehicles covered (all models): 379,931
Full noticeSource: NHTSA
Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year
- ENGINE34%
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER21%
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING10%
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9%
- POWER TRAIN6%
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING3%
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 68 total.
Kia Sportage: best and worst yearsFederal investigations NHTSA record NHTSA defect investigations, model year
AQ23002Openopened Nov 17, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
DP22003opened Sep 12, 2022ENGINE
Loss of Motive Power
Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year
67 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year
May 28, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMTSB_ELE422
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at update.kia.com. The software update may improve system performance, enhance existing features, and apply the latest operating software for supported vehicles (2021-2026MY All Models).
Apr 4, 2026ENGINESC340_TSB_R5
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REVISION 5) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Electronic Control Module ‘ECM’ system software for certain 2016-2020MY Optima, 2016-2020MY Sorento, 2017-2022MY Sportage vehicles equipped with 2.4L Theta II engines listed in the table
Mar 17, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSC340_OWNR_NQ5_105
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 105) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) for certain 2017-2022 MY Sportage vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gas Direct Injection (GDI) engines to ensure compliance with emissions regulations.
Mar 6, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSC340_TSB_R4
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC340 REV 4) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Electronic Control Module ‘ECM’ system software for certain 2016-2022MY vehicles equipped with 2.4L Theta II engines listed in the table below. Kia has become aware
Feb 19, 2026STRUCTURE:BODYTSB_CS2312_R1
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 20, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whole Integr
Dec 19, 2025ENGINESC340_OWNR_QL103
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC340 FLIGHT 103 / QL) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) for certain 2017-2022 MY Sportage vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gas Direct Injection (GDI) engines to ensure compliance with emissions regulations.
Dec 18, 2025STRUCTURE:BODYTSB_CS2312
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 19, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In
Dec 17, 2025STRUCTURE:BODYCS2312_OWNR
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been made available to owners of eligible Kia model vehicles free of charge at authorized Kia dealers since 2023. In addition to the anti-theft software, a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade has been developed and can be installed at th
- and 59 more
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
Warranty manufacturer terms, by make
- Basic
- 5 yr / 60k mi
- Powertrain
- 10 yr / 100k mi
- Roadside assistance
- 5 yr / 60k mi
- EV battery
- 10 yr / 100k mi
Source: www.cars.com as of 2026-06
Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.