Kia Sportage 2019 review
Overview
The facelifted fourth-generation Sportage went on sale in the UK in August 2018, so 2019 is its first full year, and the 1.6 CRDi 134 GT-Line is the volume used buy. The facelift brought a revised grille and lights, a new 1.6-litre U3 diesel family and a mild-hybrid option, and GT-Line remains the trim most buyers actually shopped for, sitting between the sensible 2 trim and the luxury GT-Line S.
The 1.6 CRDi makes 136 PS and 320 Nm, so it pulls cleanly from low revs and suits the relaxed family-SUV brief. Official economy was 57.6 mpg combined on the NEDC-correlated figures used at launch, with 130 g/km of CO2, which meant £195 a year in road tax and Euro 6d-TEMP compliance for ULEZ and clean air zones. Owners report mid-40s mpg in mixed real-world driving, which is still respectable for a car of this size.
GT-Line kit is generous: 19-inch alloys, LED rear lamps, a 7-inch touchscreen with sat-nav and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors, heated front and outer-rear seats and dual-zone climate control. The cabin is roomy, with class-leading rear legroom and a practical 467-litre boot, and the car carries a five-star Euro NCAP rating from the 2015 test.
Buy on condition and history, because the diesel is the weak spot. What Car put the diesel Sportage at 66.2 percent in its reliability survey, last in its class, against 93.4 percent for the petrol, with engine and gearbox and clutch faults the most common. A short-trip diesel will clog its DPF, so check for warning lights and limp mode and ask how the car was used. Test for clutch judder on pull-away, especially on DCT cars, and check the panoramic sunroof and the recall status by VIN, including the HECU fire-risk recall and the tow-hitch harness recall. The seven-year warranty expired in 2026, so there is no cover left to lean on.
UK price from: £25,995
Specifications
| Engine | 1,598cc U3 turbodiesel, 4-cylinder (D4FE) |
| Power | 136 PS (134 bhp) @ 4,000 rpm |
| Torque | 320 Nm @ 2,000-2,250 rpm |
| 0-62 mph | 11.4 seconds |
| Top speed | 112 mph |
| Fuel economy (NEDC-correlated combined) | 57.6 mpg |
| CO2 emissions | 130 g/km (NEDC-correlated) |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual (7-speed DCT optional) |
| Boot space | 467 litres |
| Fuel tank | 62 litres |
| Insurance group | 19A |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars (2015 test) |
| Warranty | 7 years / 100,000 miles when new (expired 2026) |
Features
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- LED rear lamps and LED daytime running lights
- 7-inch touchscreen sat-nav with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors
- Heated front and outer-rear seats
- Dual-zone climate control
- Smart Entry with keyless start
- Lane-Keep Assist and autonomous emergency braking
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (axle set) | £122 | Verified via Arnold Clark parts guide, ex-VAT, parts only excl. fitting |
| Front brake discs (pair) | £78 | Verified via Arnold Clark parts guide, ex-VAT, parts only excl. fitting |
| Rear brake pads (axle set) | £62 | Verified via Arnold Clark parts guide, ex-VAT, parts only excl. fitting |
| Oil filter | £18 | Verified via Arnold Clark parts guide, ex-VAT, parts only excl. fitting |
| Air filter | £25 | Verified via Arnold Clark parts guide, ex-VAT, parts only excl. fitting |
| Fuel filter | £53 | Verified via Arnold Clark parts guide, ex-VAT, parts only excl. fitting |
Pros
- Excellent value, with big-car kit for family-SUV money
- Genuinely economical diesel at 57.6 mpg combined officially
- Roomy cabin with class-leading rear legroom and a practical 467-litre boot
- Strong safety kit and five-star Euro NCAP rating
- Quiet, refined 1.6 CRDi, a big step up from the old 1.7 diesel
Cons
- Diesel reliability is the weak spot, with a 66.2 percent What Car score, last in class
- Not fun to drive, with a firm ride, modest performance and numb steering
- DPF hates short trips, so it is the wrong car for school-run-only use
- Infotainment and cabin feel dated next to newer rivals, and the boot lip is high
