2024 Kia Sportage LX review after 1000 miles and 6 days

Joined
Jul 26, 2020
Messages
6,325
Location
FL
We visited Seattle / Pacific Northwest for 6 days and rented a 2024 Kia Sportage LX.

When I returned it back to SeaTac airport I had broken the 1000 mile mark….. was able to drive in many various conditions and I was impressed this vehicle.

I drove as far West to Port Angeles, East to Columbia River (wild horses monument), North to Blaine (Canada border) and South to Tacoma. Lots of different driving conditions, speeds, roadway surfaces, elevation changes, winding roads on highways / city, rush hour traffic through downtown Seattle, highway cruising at 90 mph, etc….

Engine has 187 horsepower and is adequate for the size of this Kia Sportage
Transmission (8 speed) and is in correct gear 95% of the time, smooth quick shifting
Steering is very quick and light, makes vehicle feels smaller than it really is
Brakes are excellent, they work well at 100 mph…. 😉
Ride / suspension is soft and nice on long highway drives / construction zones
Seats are very comfortable and I liked the choice of soft cloth fabrics
Visibility is very good, this car did not have blind spot monitoring and I had no trouble seeing blind spots or smaller vehicles / motorcycles around me. I liked that the rear seats have removable headrests and gives me excellent visibility through rear window. I always worry a motorcycle is hidden by a headrest and I accidentally hit them or run them off the road.
Dash / Radio / HVAC layout and design is very easy to use and functional, the more basic the better for me.
Fuel Economy was good considering the PNW elevation changes and my driving style

If I had to replace my 2018 Mazda CX5 there’s a good chance I would buy a new Kia Sportage. All around a very good vehicle and value for the money. If the IT - CloudStrike outage was still causing flights to be cancelled….. I would have no problem driving this Kia Sportage from the PNW back to central Florida and would enjoy the drive back home.

4.9 rating out of 5 for the 2024 Kia Sportage. (y)



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I'm surprised you liked the powertrain, I rented a couple Tucsons and found them to be nice overall but way underpowered with a transmission that was always in too high of a gear. Prefer the Rogue. (National seems to have bought a ton of base Rogues and Tucsons)
 
Just to be clear for other readers this is a "Rental" review.
Happy to hear of your enjoyment of this new Kia & they've been using that name for several decades now.
 
What ferry was that? I live out that way. I had one as rental not long ago. I found it adequate. Not sure I like it as much as you, but it got the job done.
 
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I usually dislike car rental reviews because it really is hard to gauge when so many rentals are abused to the extreme. Not knowing how many total miles are on that Sportage, i'm impressed. I've always liked the looks and it's the right size. Thanks, good writeup, OP.
 
What ferry was that? I live out that way. I had one as rental not long ago. I found it adequate. Not sure I like it as much as you, but it got the job done.

Photo is Bainbridge Island to Seattle ferry.

We also took the Bremerton to Seattle ferry early Sunday morning.

Very beautiful scenery and great place to visit. I was looking for a white TransAm when I was in Bremerton getting gas. LOL.

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Photo is Bainbridge Island to Seattle ferry.

We also took the Bremerton to Seattle ferry early Sunday morning.

Very beautiful scenery and great place to visit. I was looking for a white TransAm when I was in Bremerton getting gas. LOL.

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LOL, I actually had it out this weekend. The Bremerton ferry is less than 10 minutes from me. From time to time my work takes me to PSNS. Were you just sight seeing?
 
Yes, sightseeing all over….

I was very impressed with the surroundings areas outside of Seattle.

This area of PNW / Puget Sound is extremely beautiful and I could see us visiting again.
 
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I like an SUV without low profile tires.

Unless it’s a high performance SUV, really no need for big wheels and low profile tires.

Agreed. We have the base-model Explorer, and that's one aspect I do appreciate over the higher-level trims.
 
I usually dislike car rental reviews because it really is hard to gauge when so many rentals are abused to the extreme. Not knowing how many total miles are on that Sportage, i'm impressed. I've always liked the looks and it's the right size. Thanks, good writeup, OP.

It had 7700 miles when I got it so still relatively ‘new’ and not having 25K miles of abuse.
 
I'm surprised you liked the powertrain, I rented a couple Tucsons and found them to be nice overall but way underpowered with a transmission that was always in too high of a gear. Prefer the Rogue. (National seems to have bought a ton of base Rogues and Tucsons)

Powertrain was adequate most of the time unless we were at Snoqualmie Pass and it could use another 50 horsepower.

In that case you can anticipate the climb and get on the gas pedal early.
 
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We have a 24 sportage. Engine is underpowered and the trans has dumb programming. Often wanting you to accelerate in a gear or 2 higher than it should.

Meaning, It is annoyingly slow and unresponsive.

Interior and styling are good. MPG is only ~20 -22. Less than V6 SUV'S from years ago.
 
Negative on the second post, Really!
Yes, my experience has been negative. It's my opinion and experience when I said it is too early to tell with these new engines. That's what we do on a forum, share opinions. You may figure that out when you hit 6,000 posts. Seems 5,700 isn't enough for you to learn that.

Not sure I can do anything about the second post though, sorry. Should I have waited until like the 10th post?
 
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