The Kia Sportage does 25.0 mpg combined (22.7 city, 28.2 highway), which works out to about $1,536 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid does 42.4 mpg while 2.7L 6-cyl does 20 — a difference of $1,014 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Kia Sportage engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid | 41.4 / 43.6 | 2023–2027 | $906 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 25 / 32.5 | 2023–2026 | $1,371 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 22.2 / 29.6 | 2011–2022 | $1,530 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 18.4 / 22.9 | 1995–2014 | $1,882 | |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 17.3 / 23 | 2005–2010 | $1,920 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.128 |
| Fuel per year | $1,536 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,680 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$24 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,646 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 22.7 mpg | $1,692 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 28.2 mpg | $1,362 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.5 mpg (24%) | Typical for its type |
How the Sportage changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 40 / 42 | 1 | $937 | |
| 2026 | 33 / 38.5 | 2 | $1,097 | |
| 2025 | 33.5 / 38 | 2 | $1,082 | |
| 2024 | 33.5 / 38.5 | 2 | $1,082 | |
| 2023 | 33.5 / 38 | 2 | $1,082 | |
| 2022 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2021 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2020 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2019 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2018 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2017 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2016 | 21 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2015 | 21 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2014 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2013 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2012 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2011 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2010 | 19 / 24 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2009 | 19 / 24 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2008 | 18.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2007 | 18.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2006 | 18 / 24 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2005 | 18 / 24 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2002 | 17 / 21 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2001 | 18 / 21 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2000 | 18 / 21 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1999 | 17 / 21 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1998 | 17 / 21 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1997 | 17 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1996 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Kia Sportage get?
25.0 mpg combined on average — 22.7 in the city and 28.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1995–2027.
How much does a Kia Sportage cost in fuel per year?
About $1,536 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,680 over five years, or 0.128 dollars a mile.
Which Sportage engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid at 42.4 mpg, against 20 for the 2.7L 6-cyl — a difference of about $1,014 a year.
Is the Sportage good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.