First introduced in the 1990s, the Kia Sportage is a compact SUV that has become Kia’s most popular model over the years—one good look at it makes it easy to see why. This is a beautifully designed and well-engineered vehicle that’s fun to drive, plus Kia offers numerous options for it in terms of engines and trim levels. Navigating all of the different Sportage models you’ll find here at your favorite Kia dealer can be a bit tricky, however, especially if you’re trying to tackle it on your own. That’s why we’re here to help. Today, we’re going to look at the three different engines available and the trim levels you can choose from to see what each of them offers; this will give you a better sense of what’s available to help you figure out which version might best meet your needs.
2025 Kia Sportage
Kicking things off, we have the standard version of the Kia Sportage, which is the perfect place to start if you’re not sure which options are right for you. This is a compact SUV, as we said earlier, with two rows of seating inside, giving you room for up to five passengers. Its small size makes it a great choice for a wide range of situations, and it’s a very budget-friendly and accessible option. You get a 2.5L I-4 engine in standard Sportage models that delivers 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Thanks to its small size and great engineering, even the standard engine gets an estimated 25 MPG in the city, 32 MPG on the highway, and 28 MPG combined fuel efficiency with front-wheel drive (FWD). Let’s take a look at the differences between the seven trim levels that Kia offers.
Sportage LX
The LX is the standard trim for the 2025 Sportage, so this is where we see all of the starting features that you can enjoy. From the outside, you’ll find that it has 17-inch wheels, LED headlights and tail lights, and a standard rear liftgate. Inside, the LX is a nicely appointed SUV that includes a six-way driver’s seat, a four-way front passenger seat, and standard cloth seating. You get an eight-inch infotainment display in this standard trim, along with a 12.2-inch instrument display for you as the driver, a six-speaker sound system, and basic air conditioning. Remote keyless entry with a vehicle immobilizer and power-adjustable side mirrors are standard. The Sportage LX also comes with impressive driver-assistance systems, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and Park Distance Warning Rear.
Sportage EX
If you like the standard features of the Sportage but want a few enhancements, then the EX is a good trim to look at. The EX includes numerous upgrades and many more options, such as larger 18-inch wheels and a smart power rear liftgate. Inside, you get a 10-way power driver’s seat in the EX, along with heated front seats, plus dual-zone auto climate control for added comfort. SynTex seating is standard in the EX, which looks and feels amazing. Plus, you get a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a larger 12.3-inch infotainment system, and a wireless phone charger for compatible devices. With Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, the EX is a safe, fun SUV.
Sportage X-Line
The two trims we’ve looked at so far both come with FWD standard, though all-wheel drive (AWD) is available for them. If you want a Sportage with AWD, then you might start with this one instead since it comes with AWD standard, along with many more great features. This trim features X-Line exclusive 19-inch wheels, a distinct Gloss Black front grille, and high-utility roof rails. Inside, this trim has many of the same great tech and comfort features as the EX, though it includes X-Line SynTex seating for a more refined look and feel. This is a great choice overall if you want AWD performance and impressive features throughout.
Sportage SX
With the SX trim, we further build on what the EX offers with greater refinement and enhanced features across the board. For example, the SX model comes standard with the smart power liftgate that’s available for the previous two trim levels, along with 18-inch wheels and distinct styling across the exterior. You get a larger 12.3-inch instrument display with the SX trim, plus an eight-speaker Harman Kardon Premium sound system for a fantastic driving experience. The SX comes with driver’s seat memory with settings for two positions, a panoramic sunroof, and LED interior lighting to enhance your time on the road.
Sportage SX Prestige
The SX Prestige enhances the previous trim with more features and options; for one thing, AWD is available for this trim, while the SX is only offered with FWD. You get LED fog lights and rear combination tail lights on this trim for great looks and visibility at night, plus 19-inch wheels in Gloss Black. Inside, the SX Prestige has Premium SynTex seating featuring an eight-way power front-passenger seat, with heated and ventilated front seats plus a heated steering wheel. A Blind-Spot View Monitor gives you an enhanced look around your vehicle when changing lanes, plus you get Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist Reverse and Park Distance Warning Front with this trim.
Sportage X-Pro
If you’re interested in a Kia Sportage that you can take off-road to complement an adventurous outdoor lifestyle, then the X-Pro is a great one to choose. Much like the X-Line, it comes with standard AWD, but this one features X-Pro Exclusive 17-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. You get Gloss Black front and rear skid plates on this trim, along with Multi-Terrain Drive Modes for added traction and control in all kinds of conditions. Inside, this trim has a lot in common with the SX, though it comes with X-Pro SynTex seating and stainless steel pedals.
Sportage X-Pro Prestige
Finally, the X-Pro Prestige adds to the previous trim in much the same way that the SX Prestige builds on the SX. On the outside, it has the same wheels and all-terrain tires as the X-Pro, but it includes the LED rear combination tail lights found on the SX Prestige to create a unique overall look you won’t find on other trims. The interior is much like the X-Pro with the same SynTex seating and stainless steel pedals, but the X-Pro Prestige has ventilated front seats and an eight-way power front passenger seat. You also get enhanced safety features, like a 360-degree Surround View Monitor, which is only provided with this trim and the SX Prestige.
2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid
If you like the features of the 2025 Sportage but want enhanced fuel efficiency, then you should check out the Sportage Hybrid. This version comes with a 1.6L turbocharged hybrid engine that delivers 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque for a fantastic driving experience. On top of that, you get an estimated 42 MPG in the city, 44 MPG on the highway, and 43 MPG combined fuel efficiency with the FWD Sportage Hybrid (though you lose a bit of gas mileage if you choose an AWD model). Trim levels are more limited with this one, but you can choose from the standard LX, available EX, and enhanced SX Prestige trims if you want a Sportage Hybrid. This gives you three great options to choose from, with features comparable to the same trims with the standard engine.
2025 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
There’s also a plug-in hybrid version of the 2025 Sportage available, which comes with a 1.6L turbocharged engine and more powerful electric motors, delivering 261 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This is incredibly fun to drive, thanks to all of that power. Plus, you get an estimated 34 miles of all-electric range, so you can run quick errands without ever touching the gas tank. If you’re interested in what it might be like to have an electric vehicle but you don’t want to fully commit to one, then this is a terrific choice. It’s available in two different trims. The X-Line comes with 19-inch wheels, SynTex seating, heated front seats, and a wireless phone charger. The X-Line Prestige features dual 12.3-inch displays, a Harman Kardon sound system, and other high-end features.
Find the Kia Sportage You’ve Been Looking For
As you can see, you have a lot of options available when shopping for a Kia Sportage, but things are pretty simple if you take it one step at a time. First, decide whether you want the standard powertrain or one of the available hybrid engines. From there, you can choose from the different trim levels; the standard engine gives you the most to choose from, but the kinds of features you want and whether you prefer FWD or AWD can simplify things quite a bit. Carefully consider what’s most important to you, and don’t overlook comfort or tech features that you might regret missing out on once all is said and done. Once you have a few models in mind that will work well for you, then we can show them to you and make it easy to determine which one has everything you want in your next SUV.
Connect with us
Recent Blog Entries
Categories
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.