There’s no more diversified vehicle segment than the compact crossover category, and automakers must figure out ways to set its product apart from the rest of the crowd. In the case of the 2025 Kia Sportage, the Korean brand is relying on sheer size and a wide selection of trim levels and powertrains.
In fact, what used to be one of the smallest crossovers in the segment became one of the biggest when the Sportage was redesigned for the 2023 model year.
2025 Kia Sportage Changes and Updates
A mid-cycle refresh is planned for next year, but in the meantime, the Sportage rolls into 2025 with minimal changes. Actually, the only change for the Canadian market involved the X-Line trim levels, which receive gloss black exterior trim.
2025 Kia Sportage Trim Levels and Pricing
Ten variants of the Sportage are available when we factor in powertrains and drivetrains. The LX, X-Line, EX, EX Premium and X-Line Limited are equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.5L four-cylinder engine that develops 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are both offered on the base LX trim, while the rest of the lineup gets AWD as standard.
Available on the EX and standard on the SX is a hybrid system that rounds up a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder engine, an electric drive motor, a starter/generator motor, a 1.49 kWh battery pack and a six-speed automatic transmission, which produces a combined 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. In addition, the EX Premium and SX are also offered with a plug-in hybrid system that adds a more muscular electric drive motor and a 13.8 kWh battery pack, for a total output of 261 horsepower and 258 pound-feet. AWD is included with both hybrid powertrains.
| Engine | Trans | Drive | MSRP | Freight & PDI | A/C Tax | Dealer Fees | Net Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX | 2.5L I4 | 8AT | FWD | $30,695 | $2,100 | $100 | $599 | $33,494 |
| LX | 2.5L I4 | 8AT | AWD | $32,695 | $2,100 | $100 | $599 | $35,494 |
| X-Line | 2.5L I4 | 8AT | AWD | $36,295 | $2,100 | $100 | $599 | $39,094 |
| EX | 2.5L I4 | 8AT | AWD | $37,995 | $2,100 | $100 | $599 | $40,794 |
| EX Hybrid | Turbo 1.6L I4 HEV | 6AT | AWD | $38,795 | $2,100 | $100 | $599 | $41,594 |
| EX Premium | 2.5L I4 | 8AT | AWD | $40,095 | $2,100 | $100 | $599 | $42,894 |
| EX Premium Plug-In Hybrid | Turbo 1.6L I4 PHEV | 6AT | AWD | $47,595 | $2,100 | $100 | $599 | $50,394 |
| X-Line Limited | 2.5L I4 | 8AT | AWD | $43,495 | $2,100 | $100 | $599 | $46,294 |
| SX Hybrid | Turbo 1.6L I4 HEV | 6AT | AWD | $44,495 | $2,100 | $100 | $599 | $47,294 |
| SX Plug-In Hybrid | Turbo 1.6L I4 PHEV | 6AT | AWD | $50,595 | $2,100 | $100 | $599 | $53,394 |
2025 Kia Sportage Specifications
| LX | LX | X-Line | EX | EX Premium | X-Line Limited | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5L I4 | 2.5L I4 | 2.5L I4 | 2.5L I4 | 2.5L I4 | 2.5L I4 |
| Transmission | 8AT | 8AT | 8AT | 8AT | 8AT | 8AT |
| Drivetrain | FWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Output (hp @ rpm) | 187 @ 6,100 | 187 @ 6,100 | 187 @ 6,100 | 187 @ 6,100 | 187 @ 6,100 | 187 @ 6,100 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 178 @ 4,000 | 178 @ 4,000 | 178 @ 4,000 | 178 @ 4,000 | 178 @ 4,000 | 178 @ 4,000 |
| Power-to-Weight Ratio (kg/hp) | 8.2 | 8.6 | 8.6 | 8.6 | 8.6 | 8.6 |
| City/Highway/Combined Fuel Economy (L/100 km) | 9.3 / 7.1 / 8.3 | 10.1 / 8.7 / 9.4 | 10.1 / 8.7 / 9.4 | 10.1 / 8.7 / 9.4 | 10.1 / 8.7 / 9.4 | 10.1 / 8.7 / 9.4 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 54.1 | 54.1 | 54.1 | 54.1 | 54.1 | 54.1 |
| Required Fuel | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular |
| Standard Wheels and Tires | 235/65R17 | 235/65R17 | 235/55R19 | 235/60R18 | 235/55R19 | 235/55R19 |
| Turning Diameter, Curb-to-Curb (m) | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,755 | 2,755 | 2,755 | 2,755 | 2,755 | 2,755 |
| Length (mm) | 4,660 | 4,660 | 4,660 | 4,660 | 4,660 | 4,660 |
| Width Excluding Mirrors (mm) | 1,865 | 1,865 | 1,865 | 1,865 | 1,865 | 1,865 |
| Height (mm) | 1,665 | 1,683 | 1,698 | 1,683 | 1,683 | 1,698 |
| Track Width Front/Rear (mm) | 1,621 / 1,628 | 1,615 / 1,623 | 1,615 / 1,623 | 1,615 / 1,623 | 1,615 / 1,623 | 1,615 / 1,623 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 181 | 210 | 210 | 210 | 210 | 210 |
| Approach/Breakover/Departure Angles (degrees) | 17.5 / 17.2 / 25.5 | 18.9 / 19.3 / 26.6 | 18.9 / 19.3 / 26.6 | 18.9 / 19.3 / 26.6 | 18.9 / 19.3 / 26.6 | 18.9 / 19.3 / 26.6 |
| Headroom Front (With Sunroof)/Rear (mm) | 1,006 / 1,000 | 1,006 / 1,000 | 1,006 / 1,000 | 959 / 966 | 959 / 966 | 959 / 966 |
| Legroom Front/Rear (mm) | 1,052 / 1,050 | 1,052 / 1,050 | 1,052 / 1,050 | 1,052 / 1,050 | 1,052 / 1,050 | 1,052 / 1,050 |
| Shoulder Room Front/Rear (mm) | 1,461 / 1,412 | 1,461 / 1,412 | 1,461 / 1,412 | 1,461 / 1,412 | 1,461 / 1,412 | 1,461 / 1,412 |
| Hip Room Front/Rear (mm) | 1,392 / 1,357 | 1,392 / 1,357 | 1,392 / 1,357 | 1,392 / 1,357 | 1,392 / 1,357 | 1,392 / 1,357 |
| Cargo Volume Min/Max (L) | 1,121 / 2,098 | 1,121 / 2,098 | 1,121 / 2,098 | 1,121 / 2,098 | 1,121 / 2,098 | 1,121 / 2,098 |
| Curb Weight (kg) | 1,530 | 1,605 | 1,605 | 1,605 | 1,605 | 1,605 |
| Towing Capacity (kg) | 1,134 | 1,134 | 1,134 | 1,134 | 1,134 | 1,134 |
| EX HEV | EX Premium PHEV | SX HEV | SX PHEV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Turbo 1.6L I4 HEV | Turbo 1.6L I4 PHEV | Turbo 1.6L I4 HEV | Turbo 1.6L I4 PHEV |
| Transmission | 6AT | 6AT | 6AT | 6AT |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Combined output (hp) | 227 | 261 | 227 | 261 |
| Combined torque (lb-ft) | 258 | 258 | 258 | 258 |
| Battery Capacity (kWh) | 1.49 | 13.8 | 1.49 | 13.8 |
| Power-To-Weight Ratio (kg / hp) | 7.5 | 7.3 | 7.5 | 7.3 |
| City/Highway/Combined Fuel Economy (L/100 km) | 6.1 / 6.3 / 6.2 | 6.6 / 6.7 / 6.7 | 6.1 / 6.3 / 6.2 | 6.6 / 6.7 / 6.7 |
| EV-Only Combined Fuel Economy Equivalent (Le/100 km) | 2.8 | 2.8 | ||
| EV-Only Driving Range (km) | 55 | 55 | ||
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 51.9 | 42 | 51.9 | 42 |
| Required Fuel | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular |
| Standard Wheels and Tires | 235/65R17 | 235/55R19 | 235/60R18 | 235/55R19 |
| Turning Diameter, Curb-to-Curb (m) | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,755 | 2,755 | 2,755 | 2,755 |
| Length (mm) | 4,660 | 4,660 | 4,660 | 4,660 |
| Width Excluding Mirrors (mm) | 1,865 | 1,865 | 1,865 | 1,865 |
| Track Width Front/Rear (mm) | 1,615 / 1,623 | 1,615 / 1,623 | 1,615 / 1,623 | 1,615 / 1,623 |
| Height (mm) | 1,683 | 1,683 | 1,683 | 1,685 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 210 | 210 | 210 | 210 |
| Approach/Breakover/Departure Angles (degrees) | 17.5 / 17.2 / 25.5 | 19.9 / 19.3 / 26.6 | 19.9 / 19.3 / 26.6 | 19.9 / 19.3 / 26.6 |
| Headroom Front (With Sunroof)/Rear (mm) | 1,006 / 993 | 959 / 959 | 959 / 959 | 959 / 959 |
| Legroom Front/Rear (mm) | 1,052 / 1,050 | 1,052 / 1,050 | 1,052 / 1,050 | 1,052 / 1,050 |
| Shoulder Room Front/Rear (mm) | 1,461 / 1,412 | 1,461 / 1,412 | 1,461 / 1,412 | 1,461 / 1,412 |
| Hip Room Front/Rear (mm) | 1,392 / 1,357 | 1,392 / 1,357 | 1,392 / 1,357 | 1,392 / 1,357 |
| Cargo Volume Min/Max (L) | 1,119 / 2,087 | 977 / 1,855 | 1,119 / 2,087 | 977 / 1,855 |
| Curb Weight (kg) | 1,693 | 1,910 | 1,693 | 1,910 |
| Towing Capacity (kg) | 907 | 907 | 907 | 907 |
2025 Kia Sportage Warranty Coverage
In Canada, the 2025 Kia Sportage is covered by a 5-year/100,000 km Comprehensive Limited Warranty (whichever comes first) and a 5-year/100,000 km Powertrain Limited Warranty, although the audio systems are backed by a 3-year/60,000 km warranty. There’s also an 8-year/150,000 km hybrid system warranty, while HEV/PHEV high-voltage batteries are covered for 8 years or 160,000 km. In addition, the Sportage is backed by a 5-year/unlimited km Rust Perforation Limited Warranty.
24-hour roadside assistance is offered on the Sportage for 5 years and unlimited km in Canada.
What the 2025 Kia Sportage Does Well
- The Sportage is very roomy for a compact crossover. It boasts above-average interior dimensions, including class-leading rear-seat legroom. It’s also one of the best in the segment for cargo space, though that volume diminishes a little in the PHEV variants to make room for the larger high-voltage battery.
- We like that the hybrid powertrains are available at more accessible price points. Only the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is more attainable—though less equipped—while the Ford Escape PHEV’s starting MSRP is lower than the Sportage PHEV’s, but the Escape is FWD only.
- As with all Kia models, the Sportage is backed by a generous basic warranty.
- The Kia’s design arguably stands out in its category, both inside and out. The modern dashboard will please the younger, more tech-savvy crowd, while the brand’s infotainment system—on either an 8.0- or 12.3-inch touchscreen in the Sportage—is user-friendly and packed with features.
What the 2025 Kia Sportage Doesn’t Do Well
- It’s not all that fun to drive, especially when equipped with the base engine. Ironically, the previous generation of the Sportage was one of the most engaging in its segment.
- The hybrid powertrains are efficient, but not the base 2.5L engine. Its combined average of 9.4 L/100 km with the all-wheel drivetrain is one of the worst in the category .
- The Sportage’s turning circle is relatively large, which can complicate parking manoeuvres at the shopping mall. At least when compared to most other compact crossovers.
- The dashboard may be modern in its appearance and functionality, some owners might not appreciate the touch-sensitive panel that flips between audio and climate controls at the touch of a button. It’s a multi-step process that can get distracting while driving. It takes getting used to.
2025 Kia Sportage Competition
The Sportage competes with the Buick Envision, the Chevrolet Equinox, the Chevrolet Equinox EV, the Ford Bronco Sport, the Ford Escape, the GMC Terrain, the Honda CR-V, the Hyundai Tucson, the Jeep Compass, the Mazda CX-5, the Mazda CX-50, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, the Mitsubishi Outlander, the Nissan Rogue, the Subaru Forester, the Toyota RAV4 and the Volkswagen Tiguan.
