Kia Sportage 2025 Review: new kit brings top-seller up to date - here's the one I would choose

Not surprisingly, the update centres on new styling in line with the latest Kia EV models, more tech, and better efficiency.

This 2025 Sportage, of course, starts life from a hugely successful and strong baseline. It’s already a well equipped and good to drive, reasonably priced, and some would say a ‘great’ all-round family SUV. Now with its new, bold Kia family external styling, allied to trim levels to suit all budgets, plus a spacious interior, the Sportage is ready to elevate itself to yet another level. And it’s still very competitively priced starting at £30,885.

That’s probably no bad thing because its rivals in a hugely competitive marketplace — think Nissan Qashqai, Seat Ateca, Skoda Karoq, Ford Kuga and Hyundai Tucson — are no pushover.

Model range

The Sportage range is short, compact and easy to understand. Each Sportage in the UK is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine with different levels of hybridisation. That means a pure petrol version, a full hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. The diesel, which was dropped in 2023, not surprisingly doesn’t return. And when it comes to trim levels, there are just three: Pure, GT-Line and GT-Line S.

The entry-level four-cylinder 148bhp 1.6-T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine drives the front wheels. It’s smooth and quiet, and is available with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. I drove the manual version in Pure trim and it’s an absolute joy to drive. The shift is light, with a reassuring ‘click’ when it engages, with the clutch equally light. It’s a delight to drive around town. And when you need to, it’ll cover 0-62mph in 9.0secs.

I also drove the automatic. I mated it to the Hybrid — the 235bhp Sportage HEV, in mid-range GT-Line spec — which has the assistance of an electric motor and benefits from the six-speed torque converter transmission. Compared to the normal automatic, the system in the Hybrid enjoys a more immediate throttle response simply due to the fact the electric motor fills the gap while the gearbox downshifts. The petrol hybrid (HEV) is capable of driving short distances on electric-only, and covers 0-62mph in 8.1s.

Worth highlighting that most versions of the HEV come with front-wheel drive as standard; all-wheel drive is only available in the top-spec GT-Line S trim.

There’s no plug-in hybrid yet, but it’s in the pipeline. Details of the 2025 Sportage PHEV have yet to be confirmed, so we’ll need to wait and see what improvements there will be to emissions and fuel economy.

Interior

To be honest, inside it’s very similar to the previous version. But look around and you’ll spot some improvements, the most noticeable being the new two-spoke steering wheel, which I rather like. As you would expect, the entry-level Pure gets black cloth seats, while the GT-Line and above swap those for nicer seats with vegan leather and suede upholstery. They also benefit from leather being fitted to various places, including on the door armrests.

The touchy-feely bits of switchgear all feel solid and reassuringly tactile, while switches are well-damped and — certainly at eye-level — the squishy plastics have a quality look and touch to them. It’s only when you look down at the normally out-of-sight areas that you spot the cheaper, scratchy plastic. But let’s face it, they’re likely to get kicked and scuffed in everyday usage anyway.

The driving position is comfortable, plus there’s loads other steering wheel and seat adjustment. Standard kit includes electric lumbar support. Opt for the GT-Line S and you add electrically-adjustable seats and a handy memory function.

Space and praciticality

Those in the front get a light, airy space with loads of head, leg and shoulder room. That’s even the case with the standard-fit panoramic sunroof of the GT-Kine S in place. Clever stowage binnacles ensure there’s enough stowage for all your odds and ends in the front, with trays for a phone and keys, two cupholders behind the gear lever, and a decent lidded centre cubby box all helping to make life easier. Even the door pockets can swallow a decent-sized bottle of water.

Rear passengers also get a generous amount of space, especially compared to a number of rival family SUVs. There’s enough head and elbow room to make two tall adults comfortable, plus a tad more rear legroom than in the Hyundai Tucson. At a push, it’d just be possible to fit three adults sitting abreast in the rear. Hmmm …. but I wouldn’t want to be travelling a long distance, plus the unfortunate person in the middle will need to sit with their feet straddling a hump in the floor.

Luggage space is pretty good. Biggest is the petrol-only version which can take 591-litres of stuff, beating the likes of the Hyundai Tucson, Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai. The HEV drops slightly to 587-litres, Standard on both the petrol and hybrid versions is a height-adjustable boot floor which sits flush with the boot opening in its highest setting.

As you would suspect, the rear seats split and fold in a 40/20/40 configuration. Thoughtfully, there are levers in the boot which allow you to fold the seats from there. Worth mentioning though, the rear seats can’t be slid forward or back, as you can in the likes of the Ford Kuga.

Technology and infotainment

In terms of technology, the Sportage is on a par with most of its rivals. The 12.3in touchscreen, fitted to all versions of the Sportage, comes with built-in satnav, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It responds quickly to input, and the graphics on the screen are sharp.

Thankfully there’s a touch-sensitive panel below the touchscreen with shortcuts for the climate-control system and other commonly used functions. The range-topping GT-Line S gets a wireless phone-charging tray ahead of the gear selector, plus an upgraded Harman Kardon stereo and ambient lighting.

Drive and performance

Comfortable, best sums up the driving experience. Kia boffins haven’t made any changes to the Sportage’s suspension set-up, so it remains as pliant as the pre-facelift model. The result? It copes admirably with town centre potholes and ridges at low speeds. It’s a composed family SUV where the focus has undeniably been focus on comfort.

Both the petrol and the HEV Hybrid I drove fall into the quiet side of interior engine noise. The petrol isn’t particularly loud, and while the HEV can run in near silence in electric-only mode, even when the petrol engine kicks in the cabin remains a relaxing place to be. Sure, floor the loud pedal and you’ll hear the engine, but drive the Hybrid normally and you’ll be in a happy place.

Pricing

Prices are competitive. The facelifted Kia Sportage Pure — which includes LED headlights, silver roof rails, black cloth seat upholstery, six-speaker audio system, forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 1.5 and 17in alloys as standard — starts at £30,885 for the petrol (£34,425 HEV).

Next up is the GT-Line trim, which starts at £33,385 (£36,925 HEV) and adds goodies including black and white Bio PU leather and suede seat upholstery, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, privacy glass to rear windows and tailgate, GT-Line exterior styling, and 18in or 19in alloys with GT-Line styling to ICE and HEV models respectively.

The range-topping GT-Line S further adds such luxuries as ventilated front seats, heated outer rear seats, electric driver and front passenger seat adjustment with driver’s memory function, powered tailgate, customisable ambient lighting, eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, remote Smart Parking Assist 1.0 (HEV only), forward Collision Avoidance Assist 2.0, 360-degree surround view monitor and Parking Collision Avoidance Assist. Yours from £40,285 (£43,725 HEV).

All facelifted Sportage models are covered by Kia’s comprehensive seven-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Verdict

Small they may be, but the changes to this facelifted Sportage will ensure the Kia retains its position at the top of the family SUV tree. Some might see it as the ‘safe’ option, sure it’s not the most dynamic or exciting in its class, but there’s no denying Kia has ticked so, so many boxes for so, so many people with the Sportage. It just hits the spot. As for the one to choose, if it was me — because of the extra standard kit — it’d be the GT-Line HEV, which’ll return you more than 50mpg.