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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $22,622–$26,785 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2015 Kia Sportage is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.5/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.2/10, while Performance at 6.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.6/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.2/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.4/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.4/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $22,622–$26,785, 20 MPG, seating 5, the Kia Sportage sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. At 7.9/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2015 Kia Sportage will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2015 Kia Sportage ranks #947 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 61% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $22,622 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 37%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Sportage model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8.1/10 | $31,919 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.1/10 | $31,919 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.0/10 | $30,990 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.9/10 | $30,060 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $29,130 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.8/10 | $28,200 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.8/10 | $27,271 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.8/10 | $26,341 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.7/10 | $25,411 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.6/10 | $24,482 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.6/10 | $23,552 | Read review → |
| 2015 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $22,622 |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings 19/12/2018 · 18V907000 | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product… |
|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip / Control unit/module 02/02/2022 · 22V051000 | Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Kia models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.