2013 Kia Sportage Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
20 City / 25 -27 HWY
Source FuelEconomy.gov
Horsepower
176 -260
Seats
5
Front passenger 3/4 w/ wheels turned.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Irene L
Great for family outings because it is roomy.
I love my Sportage, Its roomy always have a great ride, not bad on gas. It has a great radio sound. Always keep my service appointments. To keep up maintenance.
accountCircle Jan R
This car is a great ride with good pick up and roominess.
I like the smooth, quiet ride of this vehicle. I like the roominess . However, I do not like the gas mileage it receives.
accountCircle Marilyn W
Comfortable and roomy car.
My car is fun to drive. I love the heat and cool on the driver seat. It was very comfortable driving/riding in my car for a cross country trip. Have had no major engine or mechanical problems with my car. It is comfortable when I have five persons in the car going out to dinner.
accountCircle Margris M
Kia Sportage, the cork or cup lights.
I have a Kia Sportage and it is a great car it has enough space for your family and it is also really comfortable, it also has great features. Like the fancy key, Bluetooth, you can download music, the awesome light changes for example you can have red, blue, orange and green.
accountCircle Heidi F
2013 Kia Sportage feedback.
Plenty of nice features in the base model of my Kia. We have been driving it for about 2 years with no issues at all. Plenty of space for my family and is great on gas. I would recommend a Kia to anyone who is searching for a car. The Sportage is a nice size a small family of 4 to use.
accountCircle Amy S
Great for lugging things, shopping etc. But not too big.
Vehicle is comfortable, easy to drive, gets good gas mileage. I replaced the radio since the previous owner did a hack job on it. The rear view camera is a nice addition and the touchscreen radios and controls on the steering wheel make it easy to use. My phone is blue toothed in so that allows me to keep both hands on the wheel. Repairs: oil change. New tires installed. Tires balanced. Brakes replaced. Rotors replaced. Struts replace. New transmission was installed. New radio/stereo put in.
accountCircle Ambrosia R
It is a luxury car and it has the heated and AC seats and it has backup.
No complaints I love the way it rides and I liked it I save on gas I like that I have room in the car for my grandchildren and my family I like that I have space in the car for my groceries.
accountCircle Halen E
This car can still play CD's and is not strictly Bluetooth.
My Kia has been great so far! I am almost to 100,130 miles and it is still running very well! I haven't had any trouble with my vehicle rusting anywhere and I rarely have to take it into the auto shop unless it is for a routine oil change or to get my tires rotated.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Denise Weigand
Major engine defects
Love the Sportage but the engine began ticking while on the interstate. Within minutes the ticking turning into local banging. No engine warning lights, nothing at all. Engine is blown. We have meticulously maintained this car and gave the records. 139K miles and it is now dead. Dealer diagnosed engine failure consistent with other recalled Kia/Hyundai motors but they refused to replace engine. Kia corporate (consumer affairs) was very helpful at first but as soon as the dealer confirmed a defective engine consumer affairs has gone silent. They do not return calls after at least 10 messages. BEWARE of the 2.0L and the 2.4L Theta II engines. They are defective. Kia recalled only a small number of them. A large number are failing. Google "Kia engine failure" and start reading. Never ever buy a used Kia. Even replacement engines are failing. Don't expect Kia/Hyundai to stand behind their products. 131 complaints on NHTSA site on this specific make, year, and model. If you have experienced ant engine issues, please file a complaint with the NHTSA.
accountCircle Kathy Lammi
Backing up your product
I purchased a 2013 Kia with 36,000 miles on it it drove nice until 89,000 miles in the engine blew with no warning no nothing. Had just been to the shop 2 months before that no problems. This should be on the recall listbut nope not going to do it the short block is discontinued that's $2,500. But no one will tell me why it's discontinued.horrible customer service the first run around with them two years ago they screen my phone calls. They never back up their product it's a blame blame blame on somebody else.
accountCircle Oiseau m
Piece of poop
No I wouldnt buy another! Between 60,000 to 200,000km I have changed the battery, 5 times all brakes, the whole things! I also changed the shocks, and the front direction completely as well as the sensors! And now at 200,010 the radio just blew up! I also forgot the cable shifter at 180,000! My last car that I did 350,000km on it only changed one time the battery and twice the front brakes and one the rear!
accountCircle Cindy Aaronson
2nd Owner Kia Sportage 2013
Only some 2013 Spprtage vehicles have been added to recall list for engines seizing when driving. My car is not on the list. It froze up on my way to work laat week. No warning just died..lucky for me just got off freeway access road and caused no accident. Only 68k miles. My son in law is my mechanic and only charged me for parts/supplys. Since Kia sees this as not showing loyalty to the brand, no consideration to replace my engine is being done. I had the worst experience talking to a supervisor named Jeremy last Friday who demonstated poor customer service and lacked empathy and respect whe I asked questions trying to determine how a car gets on ths recall list. I asked his last name, he refused to give it. I asked for a supervisor, he said he was one. I ased for a Manager, he said none available. I told him I hope the call was recorded becauss i was going to call about his attitude and manner he was speaking to me. Up untill this issue i had told family and friends how much I liked my car; my mom was thinking about buying one.. It is sad a company as large as yours knowingly refusing to replace engines on 2013 Kias that you know are deffective and could cause serious accidents not only to the drivers but also other inocent drivers near by while the engine seizes. Even a former Kia employee/warranty management blew the whistle on an ABC news station stating ALL 2013 Kia Sportage should be on the recall list. Shame on you! Make good on all the seized engines and save your reputation. I bougbt the car based on the good reviews and waranty you had on your vehicles. NOT ANYMORE. I hope you listen to the call and train/coach Jeremy.
accountCircle Cindy Aaronson
Engine seized. Known issue. Not all engines on recall list
Just posted this review on Kia Sportage 2013 website. Feel free to share. Warn your friends t beware. Only some 2013 Spprtage vehicles have been added to recall list for engines seizing when driving. My car is not on the list. It froze up on my way to work last week. No warning just died..lucky for me just got off freeway access road and caused no accident. Only 68k miles. My son in law is my mechanic and only charged me for parts/supplys. Since Kia sees this as not showing loyalty to the brand, no consideration to replace my engine is being done. I had the worst experience talking to a supervisor named Jeremy last Friday who demonstated poor customer service and lacked empathy and respect when I asked questions trying to determine how a car gets on this recall list. I asked his last name, he refused to give it. I asked for a supervisor, he said he was one. I ased for a Manager, he said none available. I told him I hope the call was recorded because i was going to call about his attitude and manner he was speaking to me. Up untill this issue i had told family and friends how much I liked my car; my mom was thinking about buying one.. It is sad a company as large as yours knowingly refusing to replace engines on 2013 Kias that you know are deffective and could cause serious accidents not only to the drivers but also other inocent drivers near by while the engine seizes. Even a former Kia employee/warranty management blew the whistle on an ABC news station stating ALL 2013 Kia Sportage should be on the recall list. Shame on you! Make good on all the seized engines and save your reputation. I bought the car based on the good reviews and waranty you had on your vehicles. NOT ANYMORE. I hope you listen to the call and train/coach Jeremy.
accountCircle Gabrielle M
Very nice speakers which I did not expect.
This car does not get as good gas mileage as one might expect. The electronic features are nice, Bluetooth connection and a large backup camera. A decent amount of storage and fairly comfortable. Easy to self change oil and perform other light maintenance.
accountCircle Diana b
Love my car it gets me from point a to b
It's fine I've had the car approximately 3 years so far I Have had no problems to date is great just preventive maintenance
accountCircle Scott H
Great performance, mileage.
Great car but it is too compact. Could use more room inside. Have owned for 7 years without problems. Great mileage, amazing performance. Would definitely purchase from Kia again although I would be interested in a different model as I said before the size is just too small in the interior.

Kia Sportage Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
Base
176 HP 23 MPG 5 Seats
car
LX
176 HP 23 MPG 5 Seats
car
EX
176 HP 23 MPG 5 Seats
car
SX
260 HP 22 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2013 Kia Sportage Owner Reviews

4.34
153 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 50%
4 stars 41%
3 stars 5%
2 stars 1%
1 star 3%
accountCircle Janessa F on June 23, 2021
Kia Sportage good and bad.
Iv had the car for 9 months and have had to get it towed to the garage twice due to it leaving me sot completely unexpectedly. I had to get the engine replaced 2 months ago and needed the ac to be replaced. I was told these are common issues with this car. I do not blame the car itself 100 percent only because I am the second owner and do not know how the previous owner treated the car. Comfort wise, I love the car. The size is perfect and the amenities are great.
accountCircle Ro S on May 25, 2021
A solid SUV for the small family with little need for storage space.
The only real issue I have with the vehicle I currently drive is that the blind spots are little too large for comfort. The rest of the vehicle performs well. Good connectivity to technology is also available in the vehicles. It is a good mid size SUV.
View All Reviews (153) chevronRightAlternative

Pros from Owners

likeFilled Kenyon K.

These cars last a long time. It is fun to drive and is good on gas. I like the way it looks and I love the features. It has a lot of cargo space and handles very well. It was a good deal with a 3 month warranty from the dealer.

likeFilled Rick B.

My 2013 Kia Sportage is nice looking; has fairly good storage space in the rear; has easy maneuverability in traffic. It has good brakes and a decent audio system. The mileage is decent for mostly city driving, but improves when doing long-distance highway driving.

likeFilled Hayley O.

I love that this vehicle has a sunroof, heated/cooling seats, Bluetooth/aux, leather seats, backup camera, good mpg, and good safety ratings. It was decently priced for a 2013. It has remained a good, reliable vehicle to drive. It is the perfect small SUV because I feel like it is high enough off the ground and big enough to survive a crash. The size and backup camera also allow for easy parking.

likeFilled Melissa B.

The car is very comfortable and reliable. It gets excellent gas mileage for a turbo. The hands free system is user friendly. I love the color (red). This car handles well when initiating turbo. I love the driver's side seat cooler/warmer.

Cons from Owners

dislikeFilled Kenyon K.

It is not all wheel drive, it has a lot of miles, my interest rate is high, the steering is not tight and the interior is not my first pick in a color. I do not have blind side features, trunk release or lane change assist.

dislikeFilled Rick B.

I would like to get better mileage on my 2013 Kia Sportage. I also would have liked adjustable heating in the rear-seat area. I would have also liked sound system speakers in the rear that could be controlled from the rear seats.

dislikeFilled Hayley O.

I am not sure if it is true with every 2013 Kia Sportage, but mine seems to have a weak windshield. A rock hit the corner while I was driving and cracked the window immediately. I also have a hard time adjusting the rear view mirror. The Bluetooth usually takes a while to connect.

dislikeFilled Melissa B.

The original tires were terrible and had to replace them shortly after buying the car. The front windshield wipers needed to be replaced shortly after purchasing the car. The seatbelt for the back middle is difficult to attach and unattach.

Ranks #9 Compact SUV by Owners

The 2013 Kia Sportage has an average owner rating of 4.39 out of 5 which ranks it #9 of 24 other Compact SUVs.

1
car
2013 MINI Countryman
4.56
2
Tie
car
2013 Scion xB
4.54
9
car
2013 Kia Sportage
4.34

Ranks #6 Compact SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2013 Kia Sportage has a combined MPG of 30 which ranks it #6 of 24 other Compact SUVs.

1
Tie
car
2013 Toyota Matrix
32 MPG
1
Tie
car
2013 MINI Countryman
32 MPG
6
Tie
car
2013 Kia Sportage
27 MPG

Is The 2013 Kia Sportage A Good Car?

Yes, the Kia Sportage has been reliable and drives well but is a little small for my growing family.
Katey P.
It IS AWD and runs well in the snow. The village is reasonable and good handling. Would be nice if it came with better wheels.
Jason S.
I like the comfort and the way it drives. It gets good gas mileage. It has lots of room to store things.
Andrea H.

How Reliable Is The 2013 Kia Sportage?

I had some ignition switch issues when I first bought the vehicle (used) but after the parts were replaced, no issues.
Katey P.
Yes it is reliable. It has AWD and nice in the winter. I have not had problems. I have not had any major problems.
Jason S.
It is very reliable as far as driving. It seats up to four adults very comfortably and has a lot of legroom.
Pamela P.

Is The 2013 Kia Sportage A Good Value?

I paid under 15,000 for my used Kia Sportage. I felt this was a good value for the vehicle at the time.
Katey P.
I bought it used pre owned in 2016. It is an average value and worth the money for bad road conditions.
Jason S.
It cost us $25,000. I feel it was a good value because of the size of it, the gas mileage and the performance of it.
Jimmy I.

Related Articles for 2013 Kia Sportage

From the Vehicle History blog

car
Kia Sportage Problems Include Potential Engine Fires, Stalling, and Sudden Acceleration
car
Kia Sportage Reliability: How Long Will It Last?

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the cost for a 2013 Kia Sportage engine replacement?

Answer: Replacing the engine in a 2013 Kia Sportage can cost You an exorbitant amount. As You know, it is not a cheap endeavor, nor an easy one to complete. The typical cost for replacing the engine in this make and...

How do i perform the 2013 Kia Sportage radio reset?

Answer: These steps will allow You to reset the 2013 Kia Sportage radio. There's a reset button to the right of the CD slot. Use a small point tip to hit the reset button & should get Your sound back. Generally, a car...

2013 Kia Sportage: What is the towing capacity including torque, payload, and tongue weight?

Answer: The 2012 Kia Sportage has a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds which means Youll be able to do some light towing, but nothing heavy duty. So something like a small trailer or a couple of dirt bikes or motorcycles,...

2013 Kia Sportage: What is the oil type and capacity?

Answer: The 2013 Kia Sportage needS5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil for the 2.0 L 4Cylinder and 5W-20 Synthetic for the 2.4 L 4Cylinder engine. The capacity for the Sportage iS4.9 quarts with a filter for the 2.0 L 4Cylinder...

Does the 2013 Kia Sportage have a timing belt or chain?

Answer: The 2013 Kia Sportage is equipped with a timing chain. Unlike a belt, this option is designed to last the life of the vehicle and shouldn't need replacing, but there are exceptions. A timing chain is comprised...
openInNew See all Frequently Asked Questions

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety