2015 Kia Sportage

Amongst the trim levels, we recommend opting for the 2015 Kia Sportage EX that lies midway in the lineup. Being diminutively higher-priced, the EX-trim adds all features of the base variant and provides as optional the Premium Package to access higher-level specifications. At $26,800, we would further suggest locking in on the AWD variant for all-season and terrain drivability. However, if you are looking for a more powerful option, the SX trim could be your vehicle of choice.

The 2015 Kia Sportage is available in three different trim levels: LX, EX, and SX.  The 2015 Sportage compact SUV starts with an MSRP of $21,900 for the entry-level LX. The EX adds more standard features and starts at $25,300. The turbocharged SX begins from  $29,600. All-wheel-drive is available across the range and adds $1500 to the price of the Sportage. 

The used 2015 Kia Sportage for sale is a good and affordable option for compact SUV buyers. Based on the listings, the used 2015 Sportage has an average price of $16,400. Mostly the prices range from $13,000 to $20,900, depending on the vehicle’s trim, mileage, location, condition, and features.

Standard Features

The entry-level 2015 Sportage LX's list of standard features includes 17-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, keyless entry, air-conditioning, cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver seat, 60/40-split folding and reclining rear seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, full power accessories, cruise control, Bluetooth phone, and audio connectivity and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio input jack and an iPod/USB audio interface.

The Sportage EX builds on the base trim and adds 18-inch alloy wheels, heated outside mirrors, foglights, dual-zone automatic climate control, a cooled glovebox, upgraded cloth upholstery, a six-way power driver seat, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an upgraded Infinity sound system with HD radio.

The athletic SX Turbo gets a turbocharged engine, xenon headlights, daytime running lights and LED taillights, power-folding mirrors, keyless entry, and ignition, and the navigation system to its list of standard equipment.

Available Packages

On the LX you can opt for the Popular package that adds side mirrors with built-in turn signals, roof rails, a rear spoiler, a trip computer, and a rear-seat center armrest.

Options on the EX include the Premium package that adds power-folding mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, rear parking sensors, keyless entry and ignition, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 7-inch touchscreen display, and a navigation system.

The SX Luxury option package includes a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

The 2015 Kia Sportage gets EPA estimated fuel economy of 19 MPG in the city, 26 MPG on the highway, and combined mileage of 22 MPG. The base engine offers adequate power but trails the competitors in terms of the gas mileage despite having a considerably sized fuel tank that can hold 15.3-gallons. The Turbocharged Sportage SX drops the fuel economy to 23 mpg combined (20/26) with front-wheel drive and 21 mpg combined (19/24) with all-wheel drive. 

In comparison, the Honda CR-V manages to gain ascendancy over the competitors by averaging 28 MPG and it is closely followed by the 2015 Ford Escape which averages 25 MPG. While the fuel tank of each SUV has a similar holding capacity, the 2015 CR-V manages the highest range in a single fuel stop covering 398 miles in the city and 505 miles on the highway.

The 2015 Kia Sportage’s interior is a handsome space with an upscale appearance for this price point. It’s the apt combination of practicality and usefulness with a tint of an upmarket aura. While the use of hard touch-plastic inside the cabin is evident, features like steering-mounted controls, cloth/leather upholstery, and automatic air conditioning ensure that luxury and comfort do not go for a toss.

As is the segment standard, the 2015 Kia Sportage interior can seat five passengers in two rows without any difficulty. The front seats provide the utmost comfort and support, thanks to the deep bolstering and padding. Each seat can be manually or automatically adjusted depending on the trim you opt for. However, the rear seats are a bit cramped and restrict easy movement. The cargo capacity is on the lower side as compared to other compact crossovers, with just 26.1 cubic feet behind the 60/40-split folding rear seats and only 54.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. 

The 2015 Escape has maximum space for the front seat occupants, while the rear-seat passengers will find themselves at ease in the 2015 CR-V. The design and build feel all the more premium and sophisticated and in addition, both Honda and Ford provide higher cargo capacities of 35.3 and 34.3 cubic feet, respectively.

Some salient interior features of the 2015 Kia Sportage include:

• Adjustable Steering Wheel with mounted controls
• Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel (available on all except the base trim)
• Keyless Entry
• Optional Interior Light Kit
• Front Cupholders

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2015 Kia Sportage?

Even with upgrades to the infotainment system, the 2015 Sportage’s infotainment unit is quite basic but houses all essential features from the base trim. It comes equipped with a Bluetooth connection and AM/FM Stereo as standard. However, as one moves up the trim ladder, smartphone integration acts as the most modern inclusion into the intuitive and user-friendly system. 

Some of the salient infotainment features on offer include:

• Auxiliary Audio Input
• Satellite Radio
• HD Radio (available on all except the base trim)
• USB Connection
• 6-speaker sound system

With the signature grille design of a "tiger nose," the 2015 Kia Sportage looks simplistic and sharp. It sports the traditional tiger-nose grille wrapped around by the rather aggressive headlights that give it a domineering front fascia. At the rear end, however, it looks rather subtle with all the lines and curves being gracefully dealt with.

The running boards, roof rails, and rear spoiler all give the Sportage a traditional SUV look and it stands tall in the segment standing at a total height of 64.4 inches and a maximum ground clearance of 6.8 inches. It is the shortest SUV in the segment at 174.8 inches but sports a considerably large wheelbase of 103.9 inches. It is also the widest and heaviest vehicle in the segment measuring 73 inches and weighing 4,608 lbs.

When compared to its competition, the Honda CR-V is the lightest SUV weighing 3,552 lbs followed by the Ford. Escape. It is also the longest vehicle in the segment, however, 2015 Escape sports the best wheelbase of 105.9 inches that allows for better space on the inside. In addition, the Ford is also the tallest at 66.3 inches and has ample clearance from the ground at 7.9 inches.

Some of the salient exterior features of the 2015 Kia Sportage include;

• Rear Spoiler
• Alloy Wheels
• Running Boards
• Optional Sunroof
• 17/18-inch wheels

The 2015 Kia Sportage is an extremely safe vehicle and its abilities are backed by an overall rating of four out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2015 Sportage the highest rating of Good in four tests out of five. It received the lowest rating of Poor in the driver-side small overlap front test.

Standard safety features on all 2015 Kia Sportage models include antilock disc brakes, traction control, and stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, and active front head restraints. Some of its available safety features include:

• Rearview camera
• Rear parking sensors

2015 Kia Sportage vs 2015 Ford Escape

Between the Sportage and the Ford Escape, the Kia is slightly faster in a straight line but loses out when you hit corners. The Ford also gets much better fuel economy figures and slightly more spacious interiors, along with more cargo capacity. The Kia is better equipped in terms of convenience features but is smaller in most dimensions. Both cars have scored good safety ratings and we feel the better pick would be the Sportage.

2015 Kia Sportage vs 2015 Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V has always been the benchmark in this category and rightly so. It is not only faster on paper, but also in real life. Honda's superior engine technology also helps it deliver much better fuel efficiency and range figures. The interiors in this year-V are also more spacious, and so is the cargo bay. Both cars are similarly equipped in terms of convenience features as well as safety features. It is a no-brainer that the CR-V is the better pick.

2015 Kia Sportage vs 2015 Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is essentially the same car and hence does not have much in terms of differentiation. The powertrains and the platform are the same but the Kia manages to start off with a lower price tag. Hyundai provides slightly more spacious rear seats but sacrifices the same in terms of the cargo capacity. They are dead equal in terms of safety ratings, interior quality, and so on. The Kia is slightly longer and is arguably the better pick considering the door price.

The 2015 Kia Sportage falls into a niche segment of compact SUVs that unify affordability with a holistic experience. While it might not be the quickest vehicle in the segment, it performs its job as a daily driver impressively. It lacks the frugality, passenger space, and cargo capacity, its competitors vaunt. However, its oneness lies in the safety system that makes it dependable. It comes with an extensive warranty policy and is rated highly when reliability is concerned. Being a practical proposition, the Kia Sportage is an alluring option, but looking out for other SUVs will only help in making a clearer decision.