Photo: Areaseven, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Areaseven, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Family SUV rated five stars by Euro NCAP, with a 503-litre boot. The petrol versions (1.6 GDi, 1.6 T-GDi) stand out as the safest choices of the generation. The 1.6 CRDi 48V mild hybrid diesel is the weak point reported by owners (engine failure linked to the tensioner pulley), and the DCT7 gearbox is criticised: prefer a petrol and insist on the service history.
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €12,000 – €17,200
- Monthly cost
- €435
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.6 GDi 132.
1.6 GDi 132
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 132 hp · 8.1 L/100 km · Crit'Air 1
132 hp naturally aspirated petrol, six-speed manual gearbox, offered from the 2016 launch. Caradisiac finds it a little underpowered for this SUV.
1.6 T-GDi 177 DCT7
Petrol · Automatic · 177 hp · Crit'Air 1
177 hp turbocharged petrol with the DCT7 automated dual-clutch gearbox and four-wheel drive (GT Line trim at launch).
1.7 CRDi 115
Diesel · Manual · 115 hp · Crit'Air 2
115 hp 1.7 diesel from launch, manual gearbox, Motion trim at launch.
1.6 CRDi 115 MHEV
Diesel · Manual · 115 hp · Crit'Air 2
1.6 diesel with 48 V mild hybrid system (0.44 kWh lithium-ion battery), six-speed manual gearbox as standard; introduced with the facelift.
1.6 CRDi 136 MHEV DCT7
Diesel · Automatic · 136 hp · Crit'Air 2
136 hp 1.6 diesel with 48 V mild hybrid system, DCT7 dual-clutch gearbox as an option. The version most criticised by owners.
Market prices
€12,000 – €17,200
Indicative range: 2016 to 2021, yearly medians of 283 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
1.6 CRDi 48V mild hybrid: tensioner pulley and engine failure
Severity 3/3 · SeriousOn the 1.6 CRDi MHEV 48V, owners describe a rubbery noise, then a warning light and finally engine failure, which they attribute to the tensioner for the belt linking the 48 V starter-generator to the crankshaft. One owner quoted by Caradisiac says that reprogramming the pulley was not enough. These are owner testimonies, not statistics; the sources consulted do not confirm an official recall: have the VIN checked at Kia.
- Versions
- 1.6 CRDi 115 MHEV, 1.6 CRDi 136 MHEV DCT7
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
DCT7 gearbox: juddering and vibrations
Severity 2/3 · CostlyThe DCT7 dual-clutch gearbox can cause vibrations at very low speed (up to 5 km/h): L'argus reports that Kia has issued a technical note, with replacement of the dual clutch possible. Caradisiac considers engine-level failure of the gearbox rare but premature wear of the actuators or the dual clutch (a gearbox that juddering) more common.
- Versions
- 1.6 T-GDi 177 DCT7, 1.6 CRDi 136 MHEV DCT7
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Kia Sportage”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €199 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €61 |
| Maintenance | €22 |
| Depreciation | €153 |
| Total per month | €435 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Consumption taken from a published range (depends on trim and tyres).
- Maintenance: servicing prices only, without tyres or brakes: probably underestimated.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€199
1.6 GDi 132 version: combined consumption of 8.1 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
8.1 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €199
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€61
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€22
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€153
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Kia Sportage IV — inspection checklist
Things to check
- 1.6 CRDi mild hybrid diesel: ask for the invoices and check that the tensioner pulley and the auxiliary belt have been inspected; listen for any rubbery noise or engine warning light.
- Give the serial number (VIN) to a Kia dealer to find out about recalls, campaigns and software updates.
- DCT7 gearbox: on the test drive, test starts on a hill and manoeuvres at very low speed (juddering, vibrations, jerking).
- Check the service book and the remaining 7-year or 150,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- Check the mileage is consistent and review the full history before making an offer.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have the tensioner pulley and the auxiliary belt of the 1.6 CRDi 48V been checked or replaced? Do you have the invoices?
- Has the DCT7 gearbox ever needed work (adjustment, dual clutch)?
- Is the car still under the manufacturer's warranty, and has the servicing always been done in the dealer network?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota RAV4
IV · 2012–2018
- Price
- €9,500 – €19,600
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hyundai Tucson
IV · since 2020
- Price
- €17,700 – €35,000
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Nissan Qashqai
II · 2014–2021
- Price
- €9,000 – €18,490
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Peugeot 3008
II · 2016–2023
- Price
- €7,980 – €17,294
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Škoda Karoq
I · since 2017
- Price
- €16,000 – €32,700
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Kia Sportage IV (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Kia Sportage IV have a good safety rating?
Yes: it achieved five stars at Euro NCAP. La Tribune Auto reports 90% for adult protection, 83% for children, 66% for pedestrians and 71% for driver assistance. Euro NCAP notes that the Sportage shares its platform with the Hyundai Tucson.
What is the boot capacity of the Kia Sportage IV?
Fiches-auto gives 503 litres for the 2016-2022 generation; some sources, such as Caroom, quote 491 litres depending on the version.
Which engine should I choose for a used Sportage IV?
The sources consulted (Caradisiac, Fiches-auto) mainly single out the 1.6 CRDi 48V mild hybrid diesel and the DCT7 gearbox as criticised elements; the 1.6 GDi and T-GDi petrols are presented as safer, with the 132 hp judged a little underpowered by Caradisiac.
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