Despite the SUV’s small stature, foreign origins, and low price tag, the compact Kia Sportage offers excellent dependability. While you might not see a quarter of a million miles, 150,000 to 200,000 is pretty common.
Key Points
- Nearly 15 years after its debut as Kia’s first-ever SUV, the compact Sportage is now one of the automaker’s best-selling models.
- Kia Sportage owners across many reputable automotive sites often claim of reaching 200,000 miles or more without much hassle.
- Routine service is your best bet at avoiding costly engine and transmission problems that can quickly retire a Kia Sportage.
- Be wary of second-gen. models from 2011 to 2015 over faulty 2.4L engines. A few too many are known to fail before 100,000 miles.
- Ultimately, expect somewhere between 150,000 to 200,000 miles. But in rare cases, a Kia Sportage can clock a quarter of a million miles or more.
How Long will a Kia Sportage Last? Owner Reports Reveal Reaching 150,000 to 200,000 Miles is Very Likely
Arriving on U.S. shores in 1995, Kia’s first sport utility vehicle, the Sportage, is now one of the Korean automaker’s best-selling models. In general, the compact SUV is known for being affordable and dependable.
So, how long will a Kia Sportage last? Discussion on Kia Forums, and owner reviews on Vehicle History, show many drivers reach 150,000, 200,000, even 250,000 miles or more with minimal repairs. Driving 12,000 miles per year, that’s 12.5 to over 20 years of service.
“I bought my Kia as a used vehicle…it has 189,000 miles…runs great, and is 13 years old,” says one Vehicle History reviewer. “Very dependable. I keep up on routine maintenance to make sure that it stays in good running condition.”
Another reviewer shares, “[My Sportage] has almost 200,000 miles on it. We replaced the brake pads and windshield wipers. The check engine light came on, but nothing serious.”
Most high-mileage Sportage claims have the same thing in common: routine maintenance.
Major Powertrain Repairs can Quickly Retire a High-mileage Kia Sportage, Making Regular Maintenance Crucial to Longevity
Like an auto insurance claim, a good time to consider retiring a vehicle is when a repair bill totals roughly 75 percent of the SUV’s worth.
For example, a 2012 Kia Sportage LX, with average miles, has a starting Blue Book value of about $8,800. With owners reporting engine replacement costs as high as $6,000, you may do better by putting it towards a different vehicle.
Following a regular service schedule is the best way to protect the longevity of a Kia Sportage. Changing the engine oil/oil filter every 3,000 to 5,000 miles is the most common service, and keeps the motor free from harmful contaminants.
Other services, like flushing the tranny fluid and changing the spark plugs, aren’t as frequent but are still vital to the SUV’s longevity.
Find a full list of which services to perform and when on Kia’s official maintenance page.
Kia Sportage SUVs from 2011 to 2015 have Problematic 2.4L Engines Known to Fail Before 100,000 Miles
Looking at models from the third generation (2011 to 2016), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows engine failure was a common problem. Models from 2011 to 2015 with 2.4L Theta II engines are the worst offenders.
Automotive research site Car Complaints shows the 2012 Kia Sportage alone has 24 reports of engine replacement at an average of just 89,800 miles. At a whopping $5,630 average repair bill, you may want to stick with models from 2016, which has fewer issues.
Kia issued several engine-related recalls on over a million units from the third generation. Many coincide with owner various registered owner complaints. Be sure to check that all recalls have been performed before paying a costly shop bill.
A few engine problems were reported for 2017 and 2018 models with the debut of the fourth-gen. Sportage (2017 to 2022), but have no common theme.
How Long Will a Kia Sportage Really Last? Over 200,000 Miles is Possible in Maintained Units, but Tread Lightly Past 150,000
There are a lot of Kia Sportage SUVs with high mileage, but there are also quite a few owners with extensive shop bills.
“Overall I’m happy with the car, but I did recently have issues with the rear end,” mentions one owner in a Vehicle History owner review. “It was driving pretty jerky so I took it into the dealership…everything ended up putting me back $1,600.”
Another reviewer mentions, “I purchased a 2013 Kia [Sportage]…it drove nice until 89,000 miles…[then] the engine blew with no warning, no nothing…that’s $2,500.
Your best bet, avoid second-gen. models from 2011 to 2015 with the 2.4L Theta II engine or opt for the 2.0L instead. Regardless, routine service will up the odds of clocking any boast-worthy odometer figures.
Ultimately, expect 150,000 miles from most years without much headache. Yet, if you care for the vehicle, and don’t drive like a speed racer, 200,000 or more is possible.
Photos: Kia