carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $36,706–$46,836 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2025 Kia Sportage S is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 8.1/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.4/10. 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: 8.2/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.0/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.7/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. On technology it rates 8.4/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $36,706–$46,836, 30 MPG, seating 5, the Kia Sportage S sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.4/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 1 year old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2025 Kia Sportage S will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and 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 2025 Kia Sportage S 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 $36,706 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 2022 Kia Sportage S 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 | $36,706 | |
| 2024 | 8.0/10 | $35,638 | Read review → |
| 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 2025 Kia Sportage S's reliability 8.2/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
It scores 8.1/10 overall, ranking #84 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 97% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2025 Kia Sportage S starts at $36,706 and ranges up to $46,836 across trims (MSRP when new). At 30 MPG, expect roughly $1,750/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.