carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $31,919–$40,727 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2025 Kia Sportage Base at 8.1/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 9.0/10, while Technology at 7.6/10 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. At 9.0/10, reliability is one of this suv's best cards — few vehicles in our database score higher on this dimension. The safety score of 8.0/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 8.9/10. The Kia Sportage Base delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. Tech rates a reasonable 7.6/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $31,919–$40,727, 30 MPG, seating 5, the Kia Sportage Base sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.8/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 1 year old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Our take: The 2025 Kia Sportage Base is a solid, well-rounded suv that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 2025 Kia Sportage Base ranks #84 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 97% of the segment. Its 8.1/10 overall score is 0.7 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $31,919 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 12%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2022 Kia Sportage Base scores 7.8/10 — within striking distance of the 2025's 8.1 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (this review) | 8.1/10 | $31,919 | |
| 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 | 7.5/10 | $22,622 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Kia models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.