The 2024 Kia Sportage AWD with its 2.5L four-cylinder engine gets 25 MPG combined. This number won’t excite or disappoint most buyers, because practicality and value are bigger priorities than fuel efficiency in this segment. These are family-minded individuals, perhaps first-time SUV owners, who need all-weather capability and cargo space without spending too much. They’re willing to accept average fuel economy for the Sportage’s many standard features, attractive styling, and industry-leading warranty.

City and highway performance

The EPA ratings give a clearer picture. The Sportage gets 23 MPG in the city, which reflects the strain on a naturally aspirated engine moving a vehicle that weighs over 3,500 pounds. Expect that number to drop in stop-and-go traffic and with frequent acceleration. On the highway, the Sportage AWD does a little better, achieving 26 MPG. This shows how efficient the eight-speed automatic transmission is at cruising speeds, but headwinds and speeds above 65 mph will decrease efficiency. Real-world mileage will likely vary, with the final average heavily dependent on driving habits and conditions.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2024 Kia Sportage AWD 2.5L is $1,750. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, with a mix of city and highway driving, and using the national average fuel cost at the time of calculation. This lets potential buyers compare the SPORTAGE MPG running costs to its competitors. Remember that changes in fuel prices and differences in your annual mileage will change this estimated cost.

Real-world expectations

The EPA provides a standard testing method, but your fuel economy with the 2024 Kia Sportage AWD may be different. Driving style is important; fast acceleration and hard braking will hurt fuel consumption. Also, heavy loads or towing will reduce MPG. Cold weather can also decrease mileage. Even tire pressure can make a small difference. Owners who focus on fuel efficiency will probably see results closer to the EPA estimates, while those with a more spirited driving style may get less than 25 MPG combined.

How it compares

The Sportage is in a competitive segment of compact SUVs, and fuel economy is a key factor. The Toyota RAV4, for example, gets 30 MPG combined in its front-wheel-drive version. All-wheel drive brings that number down to 28 MPG, which is still better than the Sportage. The Honda CR-V AWD gets 29 MPG combined. The Mazda CX-5, known for its driving experience, delivers 26 MPG combined with its standard engine and AWD. This shows that the Sportage’s fuel economy is not the best in its class. But the Sportage often costs less than competitors while offering a generous warranty and a good set of features, which matter to its target customer. See all Kia fuel economy data to put these numbers in perspective.

Tips to Maximize Efficiency

Avoid fast acceleration. The 2.5L engine works harder and burns more fuel when pushed hard from a stop. Accelerate smoothly and slowly to get the most miles per gallon from this engine. Gently use the throttle and predict traffic flow to avoid needing sudden bursts of power.

Keep tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which reduces fuel economy. Check your tire pressure regularly, ideally every two weeks, and inflate your tires to the pressure on the sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb. Even a few pounds below the recommended level can noticeably hurt mileage.

Reduce weight. Extra weight in the vehicle reduces fuel efficiency. Remove unnecessary items from the trunk and rear seats. Leaving heavy objects in the vehicle all the time, such as sports equipment or tools, adds strain on the engine and decreases MPG.

Use cruise control on the highway. Keeping a steady speed on the highway, when possible, can improve fuel consumption. Cruise control reduces speed changes, resulting in more consistent and efficient fuel use. But watch out for varying terrain; using cruise control uphill may still hurt economy compared to letting the vehicle manage speed naturally.