The Kia Sportage has constantly been one of the highest-rated and most sought-after models in the compact SUV segment. From exterior styling to ride comfort, this crossover impresses in almost every department, leaving little to be desired. For 2022, it has received an array of modifications to fortify its competitive advantage. Check out this comprehensive guide to the latest Kia Sportage to determine whether it’s the right SUV for you.
What’s New for 2022?
Image via Kia.com*
The Kia Sportage remains unchanged from the 2021 model year, receiving only trim-specific updates. The previously optional Nightfall Edition replaces the S trim, adding black exterior accents, black roof rails, and dark gray finish alloy wheels for a stealthier appearance.
Opting for the base LX model now gives you access to the renamed Value Edition package. This package includes many features that were only available on fancier trims, such as dark 18-inch wheels, push-button start, passive keyless entry, and heated front seats. Also, the EX trim now comes standard with a panoramic sunroof, while the EX Technology package and the SX Turbo add 10 years of free map updates and new navigation software and features.
2022 Kia Sportage: Specifications and Features
If you’re looking for a small SUV that provides great value for money, the 2022 Kia Sportage is one of the best options. Although it’s more affordable than many of its rivals, it’s an exceptionally well-made vehicle that offers reliable performance and a generous list of standard features. Let’s take a closer look at this awesome Kia SUV.
Exterior Styling
The 2022 Kia Sportage is a stylish and handsome SUV that features well-balanced proportions, crisp lines, and an athletic stance. Up front, the crossover appears bold and sleek with its wide and narrow tiger-nose grille, downward-sloping hood, and steeply raked windshield. A pronounced shoulder line, flared wheel arches, and deeply sculpted doors along the sides add a muscular touch. At the rear, it features a curved tailgate and full-width taillights that further accentuate its modern and dynamic look.
Performance
Image via Kia.com**
Most Kia Sportage models are equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. This engine works with a six-speed automatic transmission to send power to the front wheels or optionally all four wheels. With this setup, the SUV can deliver swift acceleration and handle everyday driving tasks with ease.
However, if you enjoy going for spirited drives on weekends, you’ll be better off getting the SX Turbo trim. The top-spec Sportage features a punchy 2.0-liter turbo-four rated at 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Also mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, this unit provides noticeably more power when launching off the line, passing, and going uphill.
Due to its small dimensions and nicely weighted steering, the Kia Sportage is an excellent urban commuter. It’s a breeze to drive in tight situations such as narrow alleys, congested streets, and parking lots. Furthermore, it feels stable and composed when traveling at high speeds and over rough surfaces, resulting in a comfortable and serene ride. It also has great body control and responsive brakes that inspire confidence around corners and along curvy roads. For sportier handling, go for the Nightfall Edition or SX Turbo, which comes with 18-inch wheels, a slightly firmer suspension, and more steering weight.
Fuel Economy
Despite being a fun-to-drive vehicle, the Kia Sportage doesn’t compromise on fuel efficiency. When fitted with the base engine, this crossover returns 23/30 mpg (city/highway) with front-wheel drive and 22/26 mpg with all-wheel drive. On the other hand, a turbocharged model earns 20/28 mpg with front-wheel drive and 19/24 mpg with all-wheel drive.
Interior
The 2022 Kia Sportage can seat up to five people. It offers generous amounts of headroom and legroom in both the front and rear rows, enough to comfortably accommodate even tall adults. When it comes to interior quality, few compact SUVs can match this Kia model. The cabin features a modern and sophisticated design and superb fit and finish. An abundance of soft-touch surfaces and premium-quality materials create an upscale look and feel, while tall windows contribute to an airy ambiance and excellent outward visibility.
Cargo Space
If you routinely need to haul a lot of stuff, you should be happy to know that the Kia Sportage has a large cargo capacity. The crossover gives you 30.7 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats and 60.1 cubic feet with those seats folded. That’s enough to fit more than a dozen carry-on suitcases. Also, the cargo area is extensive and open, making it easy to load and unload large and heavy objects.
Infotainment Features
The 2022 Kia Sportage offers better in-vehicle connectivity and entertainment than many other compact SUVs. It comes standard with the intuitive UVO infotainment system, an 8-inch touch-screen display, a USB port, a six-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. If you purchase a higher trim or an available package, you can get optional features such as an eight-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system, a rear USB port, a wireless device charger, satellite radio, and navigation.
Safety Features
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the new Kia Sportage an overall crash safety rating of five stars, the highest possible score. Aside from providing great protection against collision, this SUV is also fitted with a wide range of standard driver-assistance features to minimize your risk of accidents. These features include automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlamps, forward-collision alert, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure alert, pedestrian monitoring, a rearview camera, and driver-attention monitoring. You can opt for available features such as front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot detection, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic warning for enhanced safety.
If you’re planning to buy the 2022 Kia Sportage in Rochester, Minnesota, we invite you to stop by Tom Kadlec Kia for a test drive. Feel free to contact us if you need more information or want to schedule an appointment.
*Sportage SX Turbo AWD with optional equipment shown.
**Sportage SX Turbo AWD with optional equipment shown.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.