DecodedCars2025 Kia Sportage
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2025 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- AWD 4dr SUV, FWD 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 43 combined · 42 city / 44 hwy
- Length
- 183.5 in
- Curb weight
- 3,373–3,543 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 43 MPG combined — 68% better than the average 2025 small SUV (25.6 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 38 similar 2025 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2025 Kia Sportage is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 184 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,543 lb (AWD 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 43 MPG combined (42 city / 44 highway), 68% better than the 2025 small SUV average of 25.6 MPG, for an estimated $1,550 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2025
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2024 Sportage — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2024; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2024 Sportage →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Gwangju, South Korea · West Point, Georgia
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2025 Sportage configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWD 4dr SUV | 183.5 in | 73.6 in | 65.7 in | 108.7 in | 63.8 / 64.2 in | 3,543 lb | 58/42 |
| FWD 4dr SUV | 183.5 in | 73.6 in | 65.7 in | 108.7 in | 63.8 / 64.2 in | 3,373 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage Hybrid FWD Hybrid | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 42 / 44 / 43 | +68% | $1,550 | 206 |
| Sportage Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 38 / 38 / 38 | +48% | $1,750 | 235 |
| Sportage Plug-in Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 36 / 35 / 35 | +37% | $1,900 | 55 |
| Sportage FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 32 / 28 | -3% | $2,400 | 317 |
| Sportage X-pro | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 30 / 26 | +2% | $2,600 | 344 |
| Sportage AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 27 / 25 | -2% | $2,700 | 361 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2025 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Sportage SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.9% |
| 2025 Kia Sportage SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.9% |
Similar 2025 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Sportage (this car) | 43 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2025 Toyota RAV4 | 39 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Honda CR-V | 40 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2025 Ford Bronco | 20 MPG | Not rated | 19 |
| 2025 Hyundai Tucson | 38 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2025 Subaru Forester | 35 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2025 Mazda CX-5 | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Trailer Hitches · Dec 17, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V874000 · 5,046 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."
- Risk
- An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the tow hitch harness control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC359. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 31, 2025.
Not every 2025 Kia Sportage is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2025 Kia Sportage buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 19 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 9 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Power Train — 9 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 18,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2025 Kia Sportage. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Sportage years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Sportage | 41 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 Sportage | 42 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 1 | 40 |
| 2024 Sportage | 43 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 110 |
| 2023 Sportage | 43 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 309 |
| 2022 Sportage | 26 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 46 |
| 2021 Sportage | 26 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 54 |
| 2020 Sportage | 26 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 164 |
| 2019 Sportage | 25 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 71 |
| 2018 Sportage | 26 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 165 |
| 2017 Sportage | 26 | 176.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 403 |
| 2016 Sportage | 23 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 134 |
| 2015 Sportage | 23 | 174.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 146 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →