--- title: "Kia Sportage: Likes and dislikes" url: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2021/09/kia-sportage-likes-and-dislikes/" publisher: "Pickup Truck + SUV Talk" content_signal: "search=yes, ai-input=yes, ai-train=no" author: "Erica Mueller" published: "2021-09-16T15:07:32+00:00" modified: "2026-08-19T15:48:33+00:00" image: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2020-Kia-Sportage.jpg" --- # Kia Sportage: Likes and dislikes By Erica Mueller Published: 2021-09-16T15:07:32+00:00 Updated: 2026-08-19T15:48:33+00:00 ![Featured image]() Publisher Tim Esterdahl and his wife Heather take the Kia Sportage out for a drive and shared their [likes and dislikes in this video](). You’ll find the highlights below and be able to watch the full review video at the bottom of this post. ### A peppy, compact SUV With its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine this Kia Sportage is a peppy little AWD vehicle that offers downhill assist and a center locking differential for those who want to leave the pavement and paddle shifters for those who want to have a little fun on the highway. The fuel economy numbers seem a little low for a vehicle this size and the price a little high, but it’s a great [compact SUV]() with plenty of passenger and cargo space. ### A happy face Esterdahl points out the headlamps look a little like bug eyes in front, and the grille could be a mouth. Now, I can’t unsee the happy face on this sporty little SUV (and I bet you can’t either. You’re welcome.). The dual chrome exhaust and big moonroof are nice features as well. ### Interior of the Kia Sportage The black-and-tan interior of the Sportage has a nice contrast. The touchscreen is nice and includes the relaxing nature sounds we saw offered in the [2022 Kia Carnival]() a few weeks back. We like that this screen is integrated into the dash vs. sticking up like so many of the screens we’ve seen recently. You also get wireless charging. The front seats are heated and cooled, and the rear seats offer plenty of head-and-shoulder room to make rear passengers comfortable. What do you think? Would the Kia Sportage be an option for you or your teen? We’re thinking this could be a great car to take off to college. [Embedded video]() **Related posts:** - [2021 Nissan Rogue: Another top pick in the compact SUV segment]() - [2022 Toyota Corolla Cross: Newest SUV has a familiar name, styling \[First Drive\]]() - [2021 Chevy Trailblazer: A new SUV with an old name?]() ## Related vehicle coverage - [2020 Kia Sportage]() ## Structured page information ~~~json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2021/09/kia-sportage-likes-and-dislikes/#article", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2021/09/kia-sportage-likes-and-dislikes/" }, "author": { "name": "Erica Mueller", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#/schema/person/28ea7673f6c33cc560979055b335c167" }, "headline": "Kia Sportage: Likes and dislikes", "datePublished": "2021-09-16T15:07:32+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-08-19T15:48:33+00:00", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2021/09/kia-sportage-likes-and-dislikes/" }, "wordCount": 348, "commentCount": 0, "publisher": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#organization" }, "image": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2021/09/kia-sportage-likes-and-dislikes/#primaryimage" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2020-Kia-Sportage.jpg", "keywords": [ "2020 Kia Sportage", "2020 Sportage", "compact suv", "kia sportage" ], "articleSection": [ "News" ], "inLanguage": "en-US", "potentialAction": [ { "@type": "CommentAction", "name": "Comment", "target": [ "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2021/09/kia-sportage-likes-and-dislikes/#respond" ] } ] }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2021/09/kia-sportage-likes-and-dislikes/", "url": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2021/09/kia-sportage-likes-and-dislikes/", "name": "Kia Sportage: Likes and dislikes", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#website" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2021/09/kia-sportage-likes-and-dislikes/#primaryimage" }, "image": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2021/09/kia-sportage-likes-and-dislikes/#primaryimage" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2020-Kia-Sportage.jpg", "datePublished": "2021-09-16T15:07:32+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-08-19T15:48:33+00:00", "description": "The unique front end on the 2020 Kia Sportage sets it apart from its competitors. 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