Kia Sportage 2025 Review: Everything You Need to Know

“Facelifted fifth-gen Sportage strikes a neat balance between practicality and style. Like the looks? You’ll be a fan”
Overview
What is it?
It’s the fifth-generation Kia Sportage, released in 2021 and now newly facelifted, and it’s certainly not shy. At launch it was the second car after the all-electric EV6 to be penned according to Kia’s ‘opposites united’ design philosophy, and there’s a clear family resemblance among all the madness.

It’s now even more aggressive than before, with a new front bumper featuring enlarged ‘tiger nose’ grille plus tweaked daytime running lights, which are the easiest way to tell it apart – its predecessor getting boomerang shaped DRLs. From the side, it gets a choice of new alloy wheel designs, while round the back there’s subtly designed taillights and a revised rear bumper.

All very much standard facelift fare, then, but why change a winning formula? In 2024 it was the second best-selling car in the UK, splitting the Ford Puma and Nissan Qashqai, and come 2025… that’s exactly how it stands at time of writing, too. Whatever your thoughts on the Sportage, that’s quite the coup for Kia.

What engines can I have?
Good question: at present the powertrains on offer include a 1.6-litre petrol, or a new and improved full hybrid with 235bhp. There’s also an all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid, though that’s being re-introduced (presumably improved) to this facelifted version at some point in the future.

Oh, and we haven’t even started on the manual, automatic and DCT gearbox options. Click through to the Driving tab for more on that.

Despite the nameplate having been around for 30 years (way to make you feel old – you can see how it’s evolved here), this is actually the first ever Euro-specific Sportage. The one sold in the rest of the world looks similar, but is slightly larger and more SUV-like. Ours is a full five-seat crossover, and looks like it.

Do I get plenty of tech?
Loads. In fact it’s the interior where the biggest leap forward has been made. Higher trim levels get a giant wraparound dash complete with 12.3in digital dials and matching infotainment widescreen displays. No all-encompassing iPad here.
The whole unit gets more squared off corners, plus there’s a new 10in head-up display and the steering wheel gets a (slightly awkward) new two-spoke design. Elsewhere, a brushed-effect centre console replaces the previously glossy piano black unit, and the air vents have been tidily hidden away. Oh, and you get a choice of new upholstery options.

There’s a huge amount of kit for the money, as is often the way with Kia, but that’s teamed with those neatly designed air vents and door pulls to make it all feel more premium than you’d expect. Click through to the Interior tab for more.

What are its rivals?
Deep breath. The Sportage comes up against things like the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Peugeot 3008, Nissan Qashqai, Citroen C5 Aircross, Seat Ateca, Skoda Karoq, Volvo XC40, Toyota C-HR, Renault Austral, Ford Kuga, Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes GLA and the Alfa Romeo Tonale. Blimey.

In the Kia range, the Sportage sits between the Stonic and the Sorento.

What will it cost me?
Kias tend to be good value but the Sportage isn’t what you’d call cheap: prices start at just shy of £31k for the mild hybrid, and £34k for the full hybrid. Expect a minimum of £40k for the plug-in hybrid when it arrives.

The trim level has also been simplified, with three options instead of four. Full details over on the Buying tab.

What’s the verdict?
“It’s not as posh as an Audi Q3 or as engaging to drive as a Ford Kuga, but the balance between the two is well judged”
If you’re in the market for a five-seat family crossover, you’re certainly not short of options. But the buying public has voted with its nation-sized wallet and the Sportage is a regular podium-sitter behind the Ford Puma. To be honest, we can see why: there’s a lot to like about the Sportage if you can get on board with the rather bold styling.

It’s safe, practical and higher trim levels get really strong levels of equipment and tech. It’s not quite as posh as an Audi Q3 or BMW X1 nor as engaging to drive as a Ford Kuga or Seat Ateca, but the balance it offers between both worlds is good. Clearly, the approach is working a treat for Kia.

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