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Is the 2022 Kia Sportage the perfect compact SUV? The short answer is, probably not. Perfection is subjective. The Kia Sportage may not be perfect, but it did get a perfect score according to Kelley Blue Book’s consumer ratings. Does the 2022 Kia Sportage really deserve a 100% overall rating, or does the small SUV have a clear weakness?

The 2022 Kia Sportage keeps it simple, and that’s a good thing

A blue 2022 Kia Sportage is driving on a bridge.
The 2022 Kia Sportage | Kia

Great new SUV models don’t need to have 50 advanced safety features or a 20-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Automakers don’t need to reinvent the wheel to make consumers happy. A quality automobile goes a long way in the eyes of consumers. The Kia Sportage keeps it simple, and its beauty lies within its simplicity.

The Kia Sportage starts at $24,090. It comes in four different trims: the LX, Nightfall Edition, the EX, and SX Turbo. The base model LX uses a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine to make 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. The SX Turbo’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes a mighty 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It starts at $33,750.

The Kia Sportage LX gets 23 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Its fuel economy isn’t poor, but it isn’t class-leading either. What does the Kia Sportage feature that makes it so great to consumers?

What does the 2022 Kia Sportage feature?

A red 2022 Kia Sportage is parked.
The 2022 Kia Sportage | Kia

The Kia Sportage comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It includes remote keyless entry, rear privacy glass, and a dual-level cargo floor. The compact SUV features 17-inch wheels and LED daytime running lights.

The Kia Sportage also comes with several standard safety features. It includes lane-keeping assist and lane departure warning. The Sportage also features driver attention warning, forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, and high beam assist.

Should you buy a Kia Sportage?

A blue 2022 Kia Sportage is driving on the road.
The 2022 Kia Sportage | Kia

The Kia Sportage is a great compact SUV because it is spacious, affordable, and includes great materials. The SUV also comes with plenty of standard features. Consumers gave the Sportage a five-star rating for value, quality, reliability, performance, comfort, and styling.

The Sportage isn’t a five-star SUV because it’s class-leading in any single category. It’s a five-star SUV because it’s so well-rounded according to Kelley Blue Book. U.S. News & World Report ranks the Sportage as the fourth-best new compact SUV on the market behind the Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, and the Mazda CX-5. The Sportage is the most affordable of the aforementioned SUVs and its final trim is the most affordable as well.

If you’re looking for an affordable SUV that’s safe and well-equipped, the Sportage may even be a better option than its more popular rivals. It’s easy to see why consumers gave the compact SUV a five-star rating.

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