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SUV · 2016–2021

KiaSportage

Long warranty when new makes used examples appealing. GT-Line is the styling play; diesels suit tow/high miles.

Best for: Warranty-minded SUV buyers.

Indicative running costs ~£2,277–£3,187 / year

Kia Sportage
Power
132 hp
Economy
38–45 mpg
Fuel
Petrol
Boot
430–620 litres
0–60
8.5–11.5 sec 0–60 mph
Ins. group
Grp12–28, depending on trim and power

Owner essentials

The lookups people actually search for — pressures, oil and spare status. Confirm against the V5C engine code and door sticker.

Tyre size

Commonly 215/60 R17 – 235/50 R19 (trim dependent)

Tyre pressure (cold)

Often ~33–38 PSI cold — always use the door/fuel-flap sticker

Engine oil

Usually 5W-30 or 0W-20 meeting the maker approval on the oil cap / handbook

Oil capacity

Typically ~3.5–5.5 litres

Spare / puncture kit

Spare, space-saver or sealant kit — check the boot well

ULEZ

Most petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate

Need a PSI ↔ bar converter? Tyre pressure tool →

UK running costs

Ballpark annual ownership for a private Kia Sportage at ~8,000 miles/year.

~£2,277–£3,187 / year

CostIndicative yearly figure
Fuel~£1172/yr @ 45 mpg, £1.45/L, 8,000 miles
Road tax~£195/yr typical post-2017 standard rate
Insurance£550–£1,100 (indicative)
Servicing~£300–£460 for a typical annual service
Tyres (avg)~£140–£300 averaged over a set
  • · Assumes ~8,000 private miles/year — scale up/down with your mileage.
  • · Insurance is the wild card: age, postcode, NCB and claims history matter more than the car alone.
  • · Figures are illustrative UK ballparks for planning — not quotes. Use our running-costs tool for a custom budget.

Variants & trims

GTI / ST / R-Line / AMG Line are not the same thing — match the boot badge and V5C engine code.

8 listed
VariantPowerRoad tax
1 / 2 1.6 GDi

Petrol base.

1.6 GDi · 38–45 mpg

130–132 hp~£195*
3 / 4 1.6 GDi / T-GDi

Higher trims.

1.6 · 35–45 mpg

132–177 hp~£195*
GT-Line / GT-Line S

Sport appearance.

Various · 35–50 mpg

132–184 hp~£195*
1.6 / 2.0 CRDi

Towing / miles.

CRDi diesel · 45–55 mpg

115–184 hp~£195*
AWD

Four-wheel drive versions.

T-GDi / CRDi · 35–48 mpg

177–184 hp~£195*
Mild hybrid / HEV (later)

Newer gens — confirm year.

1.6 Hybrid · 45–55 mpg

226 hp~£195*
PHEV

Plug-in Sportage.

1.6 PHEV · Variable

261 hp~£195*
First Edition / Special editions

Launch kits.

Various · 35–50 mpg

132–184 hp~£195*

*Indicative annual UK VED. Confirm on GOV.UK.

Full specifications

Engine1.6 litre
Gearbox6-speed manual or automatic
DimensionsApprox. 4.3–4.6m long · 1.8m wide
ServiceUsually 12 months or 10,000–20,000 miles; confirm by VIN and handbook
InsuranceTypically groups 12–28, depending on trim and power
Road taxDepends on first registration date, CO₂ band and fuel type — confirm on GOV.UK
CO₂Varies by engine, gearbox and trim — check the V5C or GOV.UK vehicle enquiry
Tyre sizeCommonly 215/60 R17 – 235/50 R19 (trim dependent)
Tyre pressureOften ~33–38 PSI cold — always use the door/fuel-flap sticker
OilUsually 5W-30 or 0W-20 meeting the maker approval on the oil cap / handbook
Oil capacityTypically ~3.5–5.5 litres
ULEZMost petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate

Buying a used Sportage

  1. 1Check remaining transferable warranty
  2. 2DCT dual-clutch fluid on autos
  3. 3GT-Line: larger wheels = harsher ride
  • · Confirm the exact engine code, trim and gearbox on the V5C before ordering parts
  • · Check the latest MOT history and advisories on GOV.UK
  • · Compare cold-start behaviour, warning lights and service invoices before buying

Common faults to check

Inspection prompts — not a diagnosis.

  • Clutch judder on higher-mileage manuals
  • Air-conditioning compressor and condenser faults
  • Front brake disc and pad wear

Kia Sportage FAQs

Is a used Kia Sportage expensive to run in the UK?

As a rough guide, many owners should budget ~£2,277–£3,187 / year including fuel, tax, insurance, servicing and tyres at ~8,000 miles/year. Hotter trims and young drivers cost more.

What tyre pressure does a Kia Sportage need?

Often ~33–38 PSI cold — always use the door/fuel-flap sticker. Pressures change with load and wheel size — the legal reference is the sticker in the door shut or fuel flap, not the sidewall maximum.

What oil does a Kia Sportage take?

Usually 5W-30 or 0W-20 meeting the maker approval on the oil cap / handbook. Capacity is Typically ~3.5–5.5 litres. Wrong oil on wet-belt / LongLife engines can be an expensive mistake — confirm by engine code in the handbook.

What are common Kia Sportage problems?

Buyers most often watch for: Clutch judder on higher-mileage manuals; Air-conditioning compressor and condenser faults. Always cross-check MOT history and a pre-purchase inspection.

Is the Kia Sportage ULEZ compliant?

Most petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate

Owner handbook

Official Kia manuals for exact oil grades, torque figures and fuse maps. We link out; PDFs stay with the manufacturer.

Kia owner manuals ↗

More Kia

Reviewed October 2026. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. Cost figures are illustrative UK planning ranges, not insurer or DVLA quotes. Manufacturer handbook and UK model-year specifications GOV.UK MOT guidance and vehicle test standards Owner and workshop inspection patterns; verify against the specific VIN