Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A blue 2022 Kia Sportage is shown from the front driving over a bridge.

Who is the Kia Sportage for, Really?

With so many quality and reliable vehicles on the automotive market today, car shopping can sometimes seem a bit overwhelming. Even narrowing your car search down to body style doesn’t do much to solidify a car buying decision. For example, in the compact SUV market, there are dozens of options alone. That’s why when you are visiting your local Kia Sportage dealer, for example, you need to come prepared with answers to questions such as, “What am I looking for in a vehicle” and “What do I need my vehicle to be able to accomplish.”

When talking specifically about the Kia Sportage, who is the target audience of this compact SUV? Who is the Kia Sportage for, really, and will it fit comfortably into your lifestyle? In short, is the Kia Sportage right for you?

What Exactly Is the Kia Sportage?

The Kia Sportage is the compact SUV of choice for those car buyers that are looking for a vehicle that can accomplish a whole myriad of jobs at an affordable price. One of the most affordable SUVs on the market today, the Kia Sportage is also one of the most stylish vehicles in its class.

The Kia Sportage isn’t about absolute horsepower or off-road capabilities. Instead, much like its name suggests, the Kia Sportage is about sporty looks and compact performance. With an affordable base price and many additional features on higher trim levels, the Kia Sportage is perfect for the car buyer looking to accomplish style points without having to break the bank.

When you ask a car enthusiast what a Kia Sportage is, they will likely tell you that it is an affordable compact SUV that has sporty looks and responsiveness. If you ask a car enthusiast what the Kia Sportage is for, however, they will tell you much more than simply, “for fun.” Rather, if you ask them this question, you’ll likely hear, “the Kia Sportage is for car buyers who want a stylish and responsive SUV that offers safety and practicality at an affordable price.”

A red 2022 Kia Sportage is shown from the side driving on an open road after leaving a Kia Sportage dealer.

A Brief History of the Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage was first offered to the public in 1995. It is a compact SUV that was offered to buyers before the compact SUV craze had begun. At this time, most car manufacturers were still heavily marketing cars like sedans, coupes, and convertibles.

The Kia Sportage changed all of that, however. The Kia Sportage was offered to buyers as a small SUV that was affordable and easy to drive. In fact, it is a vehicle that was so small in size and so efficient in fuel economy that the EPA listed the car as a “passenger car” rather than a truck or SUV.

Thanks to some savvy marketing and overall popularity, the Kia Sportage took off, helping Kia build its current reputation. With its unique style and affordable price, it has won over many new fans ever since. Today, the Kia Sportage is still offered as a compact SUV that is affordable and stylish. However, the newest models now offer much more interior space for those who need it, as well as many different engine options to choose from.

The car’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down today. In fact, sales have been steadily climbing every year and have recently surpassed 80,000 units in the US alone. It’s easy to see why so many drivers love this stylish yet budget-friendly compact SUV.

The Kia Sportage has been well received over the past couple of decades. It is a great little SUV that offers performance and practicality that even the average person can easily fit into their budget. If you are looking for a car that is stylish, unique, and ready to tackle any terrain, no matter how rough, then the Kia Sportage might be just what you have been looking for.

Who is the Kia Sportage For?

The best way to describe the target audience of the Kia Sportage is simply stated as “busy professionals.” This low-priced SUV is perfect for those professionals that need a vehicle that can get the job done but at an affordable price. The Kia Sportage has also been said to be popular amongst new families who are looking for something more compact while still having enough room to fit baby seats comfortably. It is easy to see why this SUV has become so popular amongst those who want something more than just basic transportation. This vehicle is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

The Kia Sportage Is Perfect For:

  • Those car buyers who are looking for an SUV but aren’t necessarily looking to drive a large car.
  • Those that need to be able to haul things such as skis or mountain bikes, but don’t require the larger size of a truck.
  • Those buyers that want to take their newer model SUV off-road and handle some light trails, possibly even some camping, but who don’t need an outrageous backwoods vehicle.
  • Those who are looking to save some money on a stylish yet convenient family vehicle that they would be proud to show off to their colleagues.

The 2022 Sportage opens up with plenty of standard features on its LX base model, including power locks and windows, air conditioning, alloy wheels, Bluetooth compatibility, satellite radio availability, USB port connectivity, and more! That’s right; the Kia Sportage comes standard with a lot of features that other compact SUVs don’t, meaning your Kia Sportage dealership won’t try to nickel and dime you to death just to get you to add on features that you want.

Kia has done a particularly impressive job of including a full suite of standard driver-assist features on every trim of the 2022 Sportage. These include automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist, two of the most important modern safety features you can get. If you do want more, the Nightfall Edition and higher trims also come standard with rear cross traffic alert and blind spot monitoring.

A red 2022 Kia Sportage is shown from the rear parked in a field.

Could You Use a Vehicle Like That?

Does the Kia Sportage sound like the vehicle for you? When buying a vehicle like this, you’re looking for three key things: style, features, and affordability. If you are shopping for an SUV or crossover because you need to haul a huge load of items frequently or go on outrageous backwoods adventures, then this may not be the perfect car for you. However, if you are looking for a stylish compact SUV that can help you accomplish the important tasks that you need it to, but at an affordable price, then the Kia Sportage is perfect for you.

Now that you know who the Kia Sportage is really for. Do you sound like a Sportage driver? Does this popular SUV sound like the right vehicle for you? If so, head on down to your local Kia Sportage dealership and take your potential dream car for a spin today! If you’re looking for a stylish yet affordable vehicle that can accomplish nearly anything, then the Kia Sportage is absolutely perfect. If you’re not sure whether or not this vehicle is right for you, however, it’s important to stop by your local car dealership and test drive one today.