Used 2020 Kia Sportage

#5 in Best Compact SUVs of 2020

The Kia Sportage has been significantly refreshed for 2020, now sporting updated front and rear styling, more driver-assist features and a new S level of trim. The new 2020 Kia Sportage also is enhanced inside, where there’s a new steering wheel, a standard 8-inch touch screen (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility) and available Leatherette seating surfaces.

As before, the Sportage continues to attract buyers with its attractive pricing, fantastic 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and generous amount of standard and available equipment. Kia’s compact SUV is available with two engines: a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with 181 horsepower, or a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with a class-leading 240 horsepower. Both engines mate to a 6-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive (AWD) is available as an option on all Sportages, which come with front-wheel drive (FWD) in base form.

Although the 240-horsepower turbocharged SX may seem like the model to get because of its extra power, the standard 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with 181 horsepower works just fine in the 2020 Kia Sportage. It has more than ample power, and the standard 6-speed automatic transmission is unobtrusive in its operation.

The 2.4 also gets better fuel economy than the 2.0-liter turbo. But if you’re looking for outright acceleration, the turbocharged Sportage SX is the way to go. The electric-assist steering of all 2020 Sportages feels natural, and the suspension makes for a ride that’s comfortable and compliant without being floaty.

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The 2020 Kia Sportage is a great place in which to spend some time, thanks to supportive and comfortable seats, logically placed controls and red backlighting that makes the instrument panel easy to read at night. There are cubbies and storage spots galore and on upper-end trims, heated rear seats. The roomy rear seats feature reclining seatbacks and plenty of space to stretch out, although headroom takes a hit when the optional panoramic sunroof is on board. The Sportage’s 30.7 feet of cargo space is pretty good, but far short of what is offered by the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester.

Kia says the latest Sportage continues with a “Euro-focused” design, but with some substantial changes for 2020. In front, this means a new grille, bumper, air intake and skidplate. In back, a redesigned bumper and skidplate are joined by new trim for the taillights and exhaust. The alloy wheels of the 2020 Kia Sportage are also new, available in 17-, 18- and 19-inch sizes.

ACTUAL KNOBS
Wisely, Kia has retained a generous portion of traditional knobs and hard buttons for items such as the Sportage’s climate control and fan speed. The infotainment system has a touch screen, but it has proper knobs for volume and tuning.

LUXURY AT A MAINSTREAM PRICE
Although you might think of the Kia Sportage as an entry-level compact SUV, it’s available with high-end features like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, 320-watt Harman Kardon audio system, a panoramic sunroof and a power liftgate.

Every 2020 Sportage compact SUV gets an 8-inch touch screen, air conditioning (with rear vents), Normal, Sport and Eco driving modes, emergency braking (with pedestrian protection), lane-keep assist and automatic high-beam assist. The new Sportage S model adds paddle shifters, 18-inch wheels, power-folding rearview mirrors, roof rails, a black headliner and Leatherette seat trim. The EX has heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and genuine dashboard stitching, while the SX Turbo is equipped with leather seats, navigation, a heated steering wheel and sport-tuned suspension. The Sportage EX also has 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights and a dual exhaust, plus stainless-steel sport pedals, a 320-watt stereo, an electronic parking brake and front and rear parking sensors. The S and the SX Turbo versions of the new Sportage are equipped with a flat-bottom steering wheel.

All-wheel drive is optional on all 2020 Kia Sportages, and the system includes a locking differential for improved traction on slick surfaces. Another option available on all new Sportages is a unique front fascia with an off-road-friendly 28-degree approach angle. An electronic parking brake is available on the S and EX, as is LED interior lighting. Leather seats, standard on the SX Turbo, are optional on the EX, as is a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Similarly, the heated steering wheel and 320-watt Harman Kardon sound system standard on the SX Turbo are optional on the EX. Tip: If you are a family purchasing the entry-level Sportage LX, consider ordering the optional Tricot seat fabric, which is specially treated for easy cleaning.

The Sportage’s standard engine is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder good for 181 horsepower, which is about the norm for a compact SUV. Fuel economy, on the other hand, is far from impressive, especially the city figures. The optional 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is anything but the norm, with an impressive 240 horsepower on tap but quite a substantial drop in fuel economy. A 6-speed automatic is the only available transmission, although every trim offers the option of front- or all-wheel drive. The Sportage is rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds.

2.4-liter inline-4
181 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
175 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/30 mpg (FWD), 22/26 mpg (AWD)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
240 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm (237 horsepower for AWD models)
260 lb-ft of torque @ 1,450-3,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 mpg (FWD), 19/24 mpg (AWD)