In the ambitious small SUV class, the 2019 Kia Sportage distinguished itself with its unconventional style. Appearance aside, this Kia impressed reviewers with its agile performance and tech offerings. Could the 2019 Sportage be the right used SUV for you?

2019 Kia Sportage performance specs 

Kia’s 2019 Sportage is a cute-ute, aka adorable crossover. The SUV features two flavors. With the base model, you get a 181-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder. This engine supplies enough power for your everyday drives and has decent fuel economy ratings. Furthermore, the standard Sportage has an EPA rating of up to 25 mpg overall. Although, rivals, including the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V, are more impressive in this department. 

If you crave more power, the Sportage is also available with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that generates 240-hp. The turbo-four makes the Sportage feel more nimble, but the extra oomph sacrifices fuel efficiency. No matter which engine you pick, a six-speed automatic is standard. Additionally, the Sportage is available with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.  

Most critics felt that the 2019 Sportage remained comfortable on rough roads. Another advantage the Sportage has over some of its competitors is that its engine is relatively quiet. The SUV’s handling performance is also a highlight. 

“Body lean is well-contained with the Sportage. Quick turn-in response endows the car with a willingness to change directions that makes it quite nimble. Unfortunately, the steering is rather muted and doesn’t communicate much of what’s going on at the pavement level. The all-wheel-drive system is unobtrusive.When pushed on the track, the Sportage was secure and forgiving.”

Consumer Reports (2019)

Available cabin comforts 

The Sportage offers plenty of charms on the inside too. It can seat five people comfortably, and its interior trimmings are notably upscale. Though, one downside is that the Sportage is below-average for cargo space, as U.S. News notes. 

The Sportage’s entry-level LX is pretty barebones. Its standard infotainment features include a five-inch display screen and Bluetooth; there’s a backup camera too. For more amenities, it’s worth going up to the Sportage’s mid-level EX trim. The EX replaces the LX’s standard cloth upholstery with leather and has a heated front-row. Additionally, the EX adds a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

You’ll also want the Sportage EX for more active safety gadgets. These include blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert. The top-tier SX Turbo has more advanced safety equipment such as automatic emergency braking and frills, including a panoramic sunroof.

Should I buy a 2019 Kia Sportage?

The 2019 Kia Sportage is a worthy choice on your shopping list if you’re searching for a practical and engaging compact SUV. This Kia has earned excellent safety ratings, and it has proved to be a dependable vehicle so far. At this point, there aren’t any significant complaints associated with the SUV.

You can expect to pay between $17,848 to $25,933 for a 2019 Sportage, depending on the features you want. The EX trim hits the sweet spot, and the SX Turbo model gives you luxury at a valued cost. But if you can live without the extras, the base model is a fine option.