The Kia Sportage is an appealing compact crossover with eye-catching looks, a roomy interior, available all-wheel drive, plenty of standard features, and a class-leading warranty (there’s also a hybrid and PHEV version, but we’ll be keeping our discussion to the gas-only model). With a starting MSRP of $27,090, the Sportage also fits the bill for budget-conscious shoppers seeking a well-rounded crossover. So, is that base 2024 Kia Sportage price a reasonable amount to pay, or will most buyers need to dish out far more dough to get a model that fits their needs and wants?

The 2024 Kia Sportage – how we’d spec it

The 2024 Kia Sportage is available in seven trims ranging from $27,090 to the $37,890 X-Pro Prestige, which combines plenty of all-terrain kit, all-wheel drive, and the most upscale cabin features available for the model.

The Sportage is well-equipped even in its base form, thus helping buyers who want to keep the price of the model down. However, the EX model, one step above the base version, includes a much longer list of desirable amenities for $2,000 more to bring the MSRP to $29,090. When looking at the extra features offered, the EX appears to provide the best bang for the buck throughout the Sportage lineup.

For the additional $2,000, the EX model gets 18-inch wheels, heated exterior mirrors, keyless entry with push-button start, remote start, and a dual-level cargo floor. Inside, upgrades over the base model include synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. Additional connectivity/tech features include a larger, 12.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, Kia Connect services, satellite radio, a wireless charging bay, and rear USB ports. The EX also adds a blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert and a rear seat safe exit system to the Sportage’s long list of standard safety features.

That’s a lot of additional kit for $2,000 and makes the upcharge well worth the price of admission.

With so many trims available for the model, there are a limited number of accessories and options available for the Sportage EX, including cost-added exterior paint, carpet floor mats, side steps, a front skid plate, and the like. We’d skip most of these. However, we’d opt for the $350 auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, a built-in garage door opener.

The Sportage gets front-wheel drive as standard, but the EX can be fitted with all-wheel drive, a center-locking differential, and roof rails for an additional $1,800. We like the added traction of all-wheel drive, which can be particularly important depending on where your Sportage will often traverse the road, and think it’s worth the added price.

With the EX model, the all-wheel drive package, the optional rearview mirror, plus a destination fee of $1,325, our 2024 Kia Sportage price rings in at $32,565. Though that figure is over $5,000 more than the base MSRP (without destination), the EX offers a far more desirable kit as standard, and we feel the $1,800 for AWD is worth the added cost. So, how does that price compare to a bare-bones Sportage?

What does the 2024 Kia Sportage offer in its $27,090 base model?

The Kia Sportage still provides good value in its base LX model. Highlights of its standard features include LED exterior lights, power-adjustable mirrors, remote keyless entry, a 12.2-inch digital gauge cluster, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, height-adjustable driver’s seat, a six-speaker sound system, and two front USB ports. Standard driver aids include automatic forward emergency braking, lane departure warning with a lane-keep system, rear parking system, a driver attention warning, and a system for alerting drivers when a leading car has pulled away from a stop.

Those skipping all add-ons, including all-wheel drive, cost-add exterior paint, or other options, can expect to pay $28,415 for a base 2024 Sportage LX with the destination fee included. That price is $4,150 more than our version, but again, with the EX’s longer list of desirable features, plus the addition of all-wheel drive, we feel our model provides great overall value for the added dollars.

However, those who put price above all else will likely still be pleased with the base Sportage. It still includes plenty of amenities, attractive styling, and a long list of safety features. Ultimately, the Sportage’s base price of $28,415 with destination is a reasonable price to pay for budget-minded shoppers, but buyers can get a lot more for comparatively not much more money by springing for the EX trim.