carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $35,638–$45,019 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2024 Kia Sportage S at 8.0/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.2/10, while Value at 6.6/10 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. We score reliability at 7.8/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 7.0/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance scores 7.4/10 — competent for everyday use. Acceleration and handling are adequate for commuting and highway driving, though enthusiasts will want to look at higher-rated alternatives. The cabin tech earns 8.2/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $35,638–$45,019, 29 MPG, seating 5, the Kia Sportage S sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 6.6/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 2 years old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Our take: The 2024 Kia Sportage S is a solid, well-rounded suv that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is value — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. 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 2024 Kia Sportage S ranks #180 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 93% of the segment. Its 8.0/10 overall score is 0.6 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $35,638 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $50k →
Smart-money pick: the 2021 Kia Sportage S scores 7.8/10 — within striking distance of the 2024's 8.0 — 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 | 8.1/10 | $36,706 | Read review → |
| 2024 (this review) | 8.0/10 | $35,638 | |
| 2023 | 7.9/10 | $34,569 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $33,499 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.8/10 | $32,429 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $31,361 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.7/10 | $30,292 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.6/10 | $29,222 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.6/10 | $28,154 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.6/10 | $27,084 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.5/10 | $26,015 | Read review → |
We rate the 2024 Kia Sportage S's reliability 7.8/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
It scores 8.0/10 overall, ranking #180 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 93% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2024 Kia Sportage S starts at $35,638 and ranges up to $45,019 across trims (MSRP when new). At 29 MPG, expect roughly $1,810/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Kia models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.