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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $30,617–$38,236 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2016 Kia Sportage SL is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.5/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.9/10, while Reliability at 7.8/10 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: 7.8/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.4/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.3/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining suvs to actually drive. On technology it rates 8.3/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $30,617–$38,236, 21 MPG, seating 5, the Kia Sportage SL sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Its value score of 8.9/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 10 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 2016 Kia Sportage SL 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 2016 Kia Sportage SL 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 $30,617 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 15%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Across the Sportage SL model years we've scored, the 2016 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) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.1/10 | $41,494 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.0/10 | $40,287 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.9/10 | $39,078 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $37,869 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.8/10 | $36,660 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $35,452 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.7/10 | $34,243 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.6/10 | $33,034 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.6/10 | $31,826 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $30,617 | |
| 2015 | 7.5/10 | $29,408 | Read review → |
We rate the 2016 Kia Sportage SL's reliability 7.8/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #947 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 61% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2016 Kia Sportage SL starts at $30,617 and ranges up to $38,236 across trims (MSRP when new). At 21 MPG, expect roughly $2,500/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.