How Long Do Kia Sportage Last? (12 Important Facts)

The Kia Sportage is a great all-round family SUV that boasts impressive safety features and plenty of interior space.

This compact SUV has a good engine, strong build quality and a sleek aerodynamic body.

You might be wondering how long the Sportage will last as part of your pre-purchase research.

In this article we’ll take a deep dive into the average lifespan of the Sportage.

Here is the Short Answer to How Long Kia Sportage Last:

The Kia Sportage can last up to 200,000 miles and even reach 250,000 miles. Based on 15,000 miles driven per year, you can expect your Sportage to last 13 – 17 years providing it’s well maintained and conservative driving habits are adopted.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Kia Sportage?

From our research we can safely say the Kia Sportage will last you for almost two decades before breaking down or needing expensive repairs.

Numerous Kia Sportage owners have proudly reported that their Sportage models are still up and running even after hitting 200,000 miles.

There are anecdotal reports of owners even reaching close to 300,000 miles however these are less common occurrences and although these numbers are certainly attainable with proper care, we would expect the longevity of the Sportage to realistically fall in the 200k – 250k region.

Further assurance is provided by Kia as they offer an industry-leading 10-year warranty for the vehicle’s powertrain.

Ultimately thou, the lifespan of your Sportage will depend greatly on how well it is maintained and the style of driving it is subject to.

We advise following the recommended factory maintenance schedule outlined in the owners manual as well as carrying out routine maintenance checks such as checking oil and fluid levels and checking tire pressures.

This combined with smooth, conscientious driving will make the world of difference when looking to get the most possible like from your Sportage.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust on a Kia Sportage?

Rust has not been reported as a major problem for most modern day Kia Sportage’s.

A handful of Kia Sportage owners have reported the presence of rust along vehicle door linings and on the undercarriage.

Based on our estimates, you could expect your Kia Sportage to develop some degree of rust in vulnerable areas after five years. However, this will vary greatly depending on where you live and how your vehicle is cared for.

Kia is confident in its ability to provide vehicles that do not rust easily, which is why the Sportage comes with a 5-year anti-perforation warranty. 

This warranty protects the body of the vehicle from issues arising from rust, corrosion, or perforation from the inside out for up to 5 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

To help keep rusting at bay we advise the following

• Keep your vehicle stored in a garage to protect it from the elements
• Wash the vehicle regularly, including the undercarriage especially after exposure to road salt, ‘acid rain’ and mud.
• Invest in a ceramic paint coating – it helps reduces water from pooling and keeps dirt and dust off the surface level.

How Long Do Kia Sportage Last Compared to Similar Models?

Below, we’ll take a look at how the Kia Sportage matches up against its main competition in terms of longevity.

Kia Sportage vs. Ford Escape

The Kia Sportage lasts as long as the Ford Escape. If well cared for Both SUVs can attain 250,000 miles (or 17 years based on 15,000 miles per year) . 

Below are additional comparisons:

• Both these models are fairly similar at the base level, the Escape will offer slightly more in terms of safety features however the Sportage has a better infotainment system and better tech in general.
• The Sportage is slightly less roomy but offers the better all-round package.

Kia Sportage vs. Nissan Rogue

The Nissan Rogue can last just as long as the Kia Sportage, with both capable of reaching up to 250,000 miles (or 17 years based on 15,000 miles driven annually) with regular maintenance. 

Below are additional comparisons:

• The Rogue is the more economical of the two in terms of fuel consumption however it is slightly less roomy and comes in at a higher MSRP.
• The Sportage and Rogue are evenly matched in terms of hosrse power however the Sportage offers more in terms of basic warranties.

Kia Sportage vs. Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage have identical expected lifespans. Both compact SUVs can last 250,000 miles (or as long as 17 years based on 15,000 miles driven every year).

Below are additional comparisons:

• The Sportage has the upper hand when it comes to the infotainment system however it doesn’t have as good fuel economy as the CR-V.
• The Sportage is marginally cheaper and has a better reliability record although does not offer the same amount of cargo space as the CR-V.

How Reliable is a Kia Sportage?

The Kia Sportage is one of the most reliable and practical compact SUVs in today’s market.

According to RepairPal, the 2021 Kia Sportage scored a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, placing it in the 6th place out of 26 compact SUVs. This means that the Kia Sportage is in the upper third of all compact SUVs when it comes to reliability.

J.D. Power has also given the 2021 Kia Sportage a good reliability rating, garnering a “great” 87 out of 100 in terms of quality and reliability. 

The overall rating of the 2021 Kia Sportage is 82 out of 100 (brought down due to a low “dealership experience” rating).

This places the compact SUV in the 5th spot, right behind the Hyundai Tucson and GMC Terrain, which both scored 83 out of 100.

Reliability Compared to Other SUVs

The Best and Worst Years for the Kia Sportage

Based on findings from reputable automotive sites, the best Kia Sportage models are from 2019 and onwards while the worst Kia Sportage is the 2012 model year.

Carcomplaints.com has compiled a record of Sportage owner complaints since 1995, and the recipient of the most complaints (39 recorded) is the 2012 Kia Sportage.

The most reported issue with the 2012 Sportage was engine failure whilst driving which occurred at around 86,000 miles and cost on average $5,600 to fix.

On the other hand, the 2019 and onward Sportage models are considered to be the best iterations in the past decade.

Generally speaking, they are more reliable and offer the latest tech and safety features.

• J.D. Power gave the 2019 Sportage an overall score of 85 out of 100. 
• Received only 1 complaint on Carcomplaints.com
• Cars.usnews.com gave this model a 4.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) only recorded 1 recall campaign for the 2019 Sportage and gave it a five-star overall safety rating.
• Based on 139 user reviews in cars.com, the 2019 Sportage received a 4.9 out of 5.0, making it one of the best-reviewed models on the website.

Below is a table showing the number of complaints registered on the carcomplaints.com database for each Sportage model year.

Related: 15 Best & Worst Kia Sportage Years (With Facts & Stats)

What About Recalls for the Kia Sportage?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database, the Kia Sportage has been recalled a total of 22 times since 2010.

A recall is issued when a manufacturer or the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) deems that a vehicle or one or more of its components creates an unreasonable safety risk or does not meet minimum safety requirements – recall related problems are fixed free of charge.

To find out if your Sportage has been subject to a recall, you can use the search portal on the Kia website, by simply entering your vehicle VIN number.

Here are the total number of recall campaigns per year for the Kia Sportage since 2010:

Kia Sportage Model Year List

Below is a list of Kia Sportage models according to model year (based on the North American market):

First Generation

• 1995 Kia Sportage
• 1996 Kia Sportage
• 1997 Kia Sportage
• 1998 Kia Sportage
• 1999 Kia Sportage
• 2000 Kia Sportage
• 2001 Kia Sportage
• 2002 Kia Sportage

Second Generation

• 2005 Kia Sportage
• 2006 Kia Sportage
• 2007 Kia Sportage
• 2008 Kia Sportage
• 2009 Kia Sportage
• 2010 Kia Sportage

Third Generation

• 2011 Kia Sportage
• 2012 Kia Sportage
• 2013 Kia Sportage
• 2014 Kia Sportage
• 2015 Kia Sportage
• 2016 Kia Sportage

Fourth Generation

• 2017 Kia Sportage
• 2018 Kia Sportage
• 2019 Kia Sportage
• 2020 Kia Sportage 
• 2021 Kia Sportage

Are Kia Sportage Expensive to Maintain?

According to data provided by RepairPal, the average annual maintenance cost of the Kia Sportage is $462 or $38.5 per month ($59 cheaper than the compact SUV average of $521). 

The average for all vehicles is $652, which further supports the cheap maintenance costs of the Kia Sportage.

How Long do the Brakes of Kia Sportage Last?

Based on information provided by nalleykia.com, expect your brakes to last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, or around 2 to 5 years (based on 15,000 miles driven annually).

How you drive your vehicle will play a big part in brake longevity. If you tend to do a lot of stop-and-go driving or are prone to heavy braking then your brakes will need frequent replacement.

Full and complete stops from a high speed are the biggest culprit of premature brake pad wear.

How Long do the Tires of Kia Sportage Last?

Under average conditions, kiacerritos.com estimates that the tires of your Kia Sportage can last up to 50,000 miles or a little over 3 years (based on 15,000 miles driven per year).

Kia Sportage tire warranties range from 2 to 4 years, or 30,000 to 50,000 miles. To determine the warranty period of your model’s tires, check your service booklet or owner’s manual.

How Long Do the Transmissions of Kia Sportage Last?

With proper care and maintenance, you can expect the transmission of your Kia Sportage to last up to 200,000 miles.

Ensure fluid levels are topped up and fix any problems immediately to keep the transmission running smoothly.

How Long do the Spark Plugs of the Kia Sportage Last?

According to cornerstonekia.com and hansonkia.com, most modern-day Kia vehicles, including the Kia Sportage, have stock spark plugs that can last up to 100,000 miles.

Spark plugs are responsible for creating the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture, causing the explosion which makes the engine produce power.

They are usually inspected and if needed, replaced when you go for a tune up.

What About Insurance Cost of the Kia Sportage?

According to AutoInsurance.org, the insurance rate of the Kia Sportage is $1,280 per year (or $107 monthly).

Sportage owners with good driving records can expect a cheaper insurance plan, as low as $752 annually (or $62.67 per month)

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Kia Sportage

Here are a few quick tips to ensure that your Kia Sportage will last as long as possible.

• Drive smoothly to prolong the life of your tires, brake pads, and to get the best possible longevity.
• Keep up to date with factory scheduled maintenance.
• Keep fluids topped up and check fluid levels regularly
• Check your tire pressures at regular intervals
• Check engine oil every two weeks
• If possible, keep the vehicle stored in a garage, out of the elements
• Use good quality parts and fluids
• Invest in a ceramic coating to protect against contaminants and minor scratches
• Wash the vehicle regularly particularly when encountering salt and snow

Resources

1. https://www.thekeea.com/sportage/repainted-kia-sportage-200k-miles/ 
2. https://www.kia.com/us/en/warranty 
3. https://www.motorbiscuit.com/the-most-common-kia-sportage-problems-you-should-know-about/ 
4. https://www.kiaownersclub.co.uk/threads/kia-sportage-rust-spots.27980/ 
5. https://motorandwheels.com/how-long-does-the-ford-escape-last/ 
6. https://www.motorbiscuit.com/how-reliable-is-the-kia-sportage/ 
7. https://repairpal.com/reliability/kia/sportage 
8. https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2021/kia/sportage 
9. https://www.carcomplaints.com/Kia/Sportage/ 
10. https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/KIA/SPORTAGE 
11. https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2019/kia/sportage 
12. https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/kia/sportage/2019
13. https://www.cars.com/research/kia-sportage-2019/ 
14. https://www.nhtsa.gov/ 
15. https://carsalesbase.com/us-kia-sportage/ 
16. https://repairpal.com/reliability/kia/sportage 
17. https://www.nalleykia.com/kia-sportage-brake-pads.html
18. https://www.kiacerritos.com/service/service-tips/how-many-miles-do-tires-last/ 
19. https://www.brandonkia.com/kia-sportage-tires.html

Please read our article: how long do Honda Element last