The 2020 Kia Sportage lasts around 200,000 miles with some minor oil drain plug and battery drain issues reported. At $19,000 to $33,758, it’s a great value for a small SUV with an upscale interior and a lot of the latest safety technology.
Is the 2020 Kia Sportage a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2020 is a good year for the Kia Sportage since it offers improved reliability from earlier years with a lot of technology. Owner reviews praise the passenger room, low ownership costs, along with the luxury interior features.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are surprisingly nice for the price, the seats are great on long drives, although cargo space is a little lower than average.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no serious problems reported on the 2020 Sportage. Avoid models from 2017–2018 since they have engine failures while 2019–2022 are more reliable.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is only average from both of the four-cylinder engine choices, making it not the most exciting SUV to drive.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2020 Sportage is very safe, earning a perfect 5-star overall rating in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera, lane keep assist, along with automatic emergency braking. Optional upgrades include adaptive cruise control.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 26 MPG, giving 426 miles of range from the 16.4 gallon tank. Gas costs are $20 cheaper than average, at $170 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2020 Kia Sportage is cheaper than many other small SUVs on the market, while also having low ownership costs, making it a good value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Kia Sportage?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 Kia Sportage is a very competitive small SUV when looking at other choices on the market, with good owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the 2020 Sportage at 4.6/5, praising the high-quality interior materials but doesn’t like the disappointing acceleration.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Sportage a 4.6/5, enjoying the high-tech features available, but owners don’t like the limited rear legroom.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Kia Sportage Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 Kia Sportage include oil drain plug issues, excessive battery drain, along with some reported coolant leaks. Overall, these problems are not very widespread, leading to average repair costs as the Sportage ages. It also has a 10-year/100,000 mile warranty which covers many of the issues.
Oil drain plug issues have been reported by some 2020 Sportage owners in the first 20,000 miles. The main problem is the drain plug does not seal properly after an oil change, leading to leaks. Replacing the drain plug costs under $10. If there are crossed/damaged threads then having them recut may cost another $50.
Excessive battery drain also shows up on some Sportage models at around 2,000 miles. Modern vehicles have a lot more electrical accessories than older cars, which sometimes drain the battery while they are off. Diagnosing the source of the excessive battery drain costs around $60, while fixing it is usually covered under warranty.
Coolant leaks from the radiator have also been found on a few Sportage models in the first 5,000 miles. Usually, the problem is caused simply by a loose hose clamp from the radiator which allows coolant to leak out. Repairing that issue costs under $20. There are chances the radiator could be damaged, which can cost around $800 to replace.
There are two recalls on the 2020 Kia Sportage, which is similar to lots of SUVs from the same year. The first recall covers the hydraulic electric control unit (HECU) which may short out and cause a fire in the engine compartment. The second recall covers the trailer hitch harness, which also may short out, causing a fire. Kia will replace the parts in affected models for free.
How Long Will the 2020 Kia Sportage Last?
A well-maintained 2020 Kia Sportage can last around 200,000 miles, which is around 100,000 miles less than the long-lasting Toyota RAV4. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other compact SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $350 per year.
As a used 2020 Kia Sportage reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the alternator for $650, A/C refrigerant line costing $700, along with the battery cable which costs $450.
Since my vehicle is pretty new, I would have to say that I haven't had any problems yet. Hopefully there will not be any in the near future.
It is extremely reliable. I have had no problems for the amount of time I have had it. There's tons of space, drives very well. I am very impressed with this vehicle. Always starts and gets me where I need to be on time.
No problems at all it is very reliable. I also love how it has all of the sensors on it to let me know if somebody's behind the car or in my blind spot.
It appears to be reliable, no mechanical problems noted. I have nothing further to comment on this particular question.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is great with a standard 8-inch touchscreen stereo system which has Appel CarPlay and Android Auto. Optional upgrades include a more powerful Harman Kardon sound system.
Safety features are excellent for a compact SUV with standard driver assistance features including:
- Forward collision warning
- Pedestrian detection
- Lane keep assist
- Driver attention monitor
- Forward automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Rearview camera
- Automatic high-beam headlights
Optional advanced driver assistance features include:
- Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control
- Blind spot monitoring
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Rear cross traffic alert
Is the 2020 Kia Sportage a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 Kia Sportage is a good value since it’s reasonably reliable while also being cheaper than many other compact SUVs. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $19,000 to $33,758, making it less expensive than a Honda CR-V or Subaru Crosstrek. When new, the price range was $23,990 to $35,090. Depreciation is similar to other small SUVs losing around 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Kia Sportage?
There are four models of the 2020 Kia Sportage offered form the base LX model all the way up to the more powerful SX Turbo model. The 2020 Sportage also comes standard with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.
LX is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Automatic Headlights
- Cloth Seats
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- Rear Privacy Glass
- Tilt-and-Telescoping Steering Wheel
- Driver Information Display
- 60/40-Split Folding and Reclining Back Seat
- Electronic Parking Brake
- Bluetooth
- 8-Inch Touchscreen Display With Kia Uvo
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
S is a step up, adding:
- 18-Inch Wheels
- Fog Lights
- Roof Rails
- Heated and Power Folding Mirrors
- Flat-Bottom Steering Wheel
- Paddle Shifters
- Sofino Simulated Leather Upholstery
- Optional Panoramic Sunroof
EX is next in the lineup with:
- Unique 18-Inch Wheels
- Hands-Free Tailgate
- Keyless Entry and Ignition
- Black Interior Trim
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel and Shifter
- Rear USB Port
- LED Taillights
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Power Driver’s Seat
- Satellite Radio
SX Turbo adds features such as:
- More Powerful Engine
- 19-Inch Wheels
- Sport Tuned Suspension
- Larger Front Brakes
- LED Headlights
- Dual Exhaust Tips
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Leather Upholstery
- Harman Kardon Sound System
What Engines Come In the Kia Sportage?
- The base engine found in the 2020 Kia Sportage is an average 2.4L 4-cylinder which makes 181 horsepower while getting up to 26 MPG. It comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission.
- A step up is the stronger 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder, which produces 240 horsepower at up to 23 MPG. This engine also has a six-speed automatic transmission. Performance is okay, taking 7.7 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Kia Sportage Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Kia Sportage?
The 2020 Kia Sportage offers a spacious and airy cabin, with plenty of room for up to five passengers. The front seats are well-cushioned and offer good support, even on long drives. The rear seats also have a decent amount of legroom for a small SUV.
The cabin of the Sportage is finished with high-quality materials, including soft-touch plastics, high-quality leather, and metallic accents. This gives the interior a premium feel and adds to the overall comfort of the vehicle.
How Much Storage Space Does the Kia Sportage Have?
The 2020 Kia Sportage has a spacious cargo area that can accommodate a variety of items. With the rear seats in place, there is 30.7 cubic feet of cargo space available. If you need more room for larger items, you can fold down the 60/40 split-folding rear seats to increase the cargo capacity to 60.1 cubic feet.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The fourth generation of the Kia Sportage was introduced for the 2017 model year.
2015: No major changes.
2016: New touchscreen display on the LX model, standard leather on EX & SX models.
2017: Fully redesigned for the fourth generation with new exterior, interior, technology, and engines.
2018: New stain-resistant cloth upholstery added, new EX Sport Appearance package added.
2019: No major changes from earlier years.
2020: Minor exterior styling changes, new safety technology, standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2021: Sunroof and Premium package no longer offered, Nightfall Edition package added.
How Does the Kia Sportage Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 Kia Sportage is a decent compact SUV since it combines a lot of technology with an industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, making it a good choice for shoppers.
The Nissan Rogue is another small SUV which is available for around $1,500 less. Passenger room is slightly better in the Nissan Rogue, while the Kia Sportage has a more upscale interior for the money. We recommend the Kia Sportage, although both are decent values, for the 2020 model year, and it’s worth testing both to see which you prefer.
The Hyundai Tucson is a competitor, which is roughly $1,000 more. Both the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson are built on the same platform, while the interior materials are more luxurious in the Hyundai Tucson. We recommend the Kia Sportage since you are getting essentially the same car for a better value.
Do Owners Recommend the Kia Sportage?
Yes. I had a Kia for 15 yrs prior to buying my 2020 Sorento. It has some great safety features. New technology is pretty nice in the 2020 Sorento.
Yes! I love it. It is functional and drives very well. I can fit so much in this car there is a lot of space. The CarPlay is awesome and it is easy to transport the children I take care of around. I travel far distances often and this car's lane assist really helps a lot.
Yes very amazing I am so satisfied with everything about it. Perfect mom car and also it looks so sporty.
The 2020 Kia Sportage is ok. It is an average vehicle. The seats are much smaller than the previous model and head room is less than prior model. The gas mileage is approx. The same as prior models and does not come with remote start.