2020 Kia Sportage Off Road

Kia touts the Sportage as an excellent vehicle for all types of adventures. How does it perform off-road?
Engine Adventures strives to explore and test the AWD and 4WD systems of all crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks. To do this we test vehicles in real world environments in a way that allows viewers to cross shop and explore any vehicle they may be interested in learning about.
New videos every Friday at 6:30 A.M. MST and occasionally on Wednesdays.

[@dr.aisguzmanbilirkisi9427]

Thank you for your hard work, Kia is Love, Sportage is Love

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@philipc239]

I guess this thing can handle more than the shopping mall 😅

[@alanimals]

Great video very informative on the capabilities of the Sportage and some nice driving thank you.

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching and for the support!

[@adrianjerry9782]

I have this vehicle and I love it, I highly suggest putting the Falcon Wildpeak A/T Trail tires on though. I run those all year round and I have yet to have any major issue with traction in all conditions here in south Dakota.

[@EngineAdventures]

Yeah, having the right tires is very important, but my testing focuses more on the ability of the vehicle to get power to the wheels with traction than on the capability of the tires.

[@philipc239]

The more I watch the more I like this cuv ✌😀 Despite they already have the new one out on other markets

[@EngineAdventures]

For vehicles this size I really enjoyed the Sportage!

[@adilsyed7838]

I have the same car with diesel engine, this one is petrol by the looks of tachometer, & I had no issues driving through the state forest, over slippry rocks & anyting else for that matter as long as ground clearance allowed it. I was gentle on the accelerator, had stock khumo tyres but did reduce the tyre pressure to 28PSI. Will be doing some beach driving when time alllows to see how she performs in the sand.

[@EngineAdventures]

In the US, we don't get the Sportage with a diesel engine, so I'm not sure if the AWD systems are programmed the same or not.

[@matrod78]

I have the Kia Sorento 2.2crdi. it well performed on off road.

[@aleksmedvedev78]

Отличное видео 👍 у меня такой же только дизель 2 литра 185 л.с. крутящий момент 400 н.м.

[@user-hs7vb1ky7w]

У меня такой же, отличная машина

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for sharing!

[@itsyaboimat2393]

I can attest to this my stock 2011 Kia Sportage LX AWD made I up and down a UTV trail on a fire call (Backcountry carryout medical call) and the only damage was the back bumper backed into a stump turning around, I don't recommend it but it can be done if you really needed too

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@DanielESeo]

Thank you for the review! In general, do you prefer the sportage or the equinox? Which would have more space in the backseat for 3 kids? I live in roads like these, so any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[@EngineAdventures]

I prefer the Sportage to the Equinox overall. I always recommend test driving any vehicle you are interested in, because my opinion doesn't matter, yours does.

[@falahali6286]

Awesome watching from Pakistan make same video on 2022 Kia sportage

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching! I'll see if I can get one!

[@greatexpectation6456]

I think they are selling the same car in other countries as Pakistan so it would be almost identical if not worst or best.

[@parkerd3915]

Thanks, first video of yours I've encountered. I liked it very much! I always have TC on, "Lock" on and the driving mode on sport and it gets me anywhere I need to go. What I wonder (I am no 4x4 pro, though) how it would perform in snow while TC is off. Maybe we'll find out in the upcoming winter, or does anyone else have experience with this Sportage generation driving in snow?

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching! I'd say it very much depends on the situation, but for slower speeds and getting unstuck I would turn it off, once you're above 15-20 mph I'd leave it on.

[@razexkarltzy6116]

I also drive sportage 2016 ground clearance is not good n its not for off road

[@tmh705]

@@razexkarltzy6116 Yep, it says that in the manual (this vehicle is not for off road)....in some of first pages... but who reads those... ;) My experience is that Sportage awd is excellent on the snowy road (I live in Finland). But I only can compare to fwd, this is first awd for me. It has done its job perfectly. 20 cm of snow is no problem and that is the agreed limit for snow plows to plow road to my cottage.

[@merimasmajlovic4544]

Very good review as always. Can you please test Volvo XC90s (B6 / T8) on the same route? Thanks in advance and best regards.

[@EngineAdventures]

I'll start asking around! I really want to test some Volvos, but I don't have any contacts there yet. I'll see what I can do!

[@sking2173]

EA, when you get your hands on a Baby Bronco, you’ll see how the job is supposed to be done. I’m fairly sure that it will prove to be the best of the genre ...

[@EngineAdventures]

The jeep Cherokee will beat it, low range transfer case and actual locking rear diff. Bronco Sport doesn't offer a low range transfer case and the rear is a dual clutch, which can be good or not so good. I can't wait to get one to test it out though!

[@sking2173]

@@EngineAdventures - Yes, your test of the Jeep Cherokee with the V6 show that you had to put it in low range to make the difficult climb. I also am not including the Cherokee Trailhawk as being the same genre as the Baby Bronco because the BB has no low range. (I wish it did!)

[@darrenchan2797]

Is the center differential you refer to same as the "AWD lock" button?

[@EngineAdventures]

Yes, that is what I meant.

[@giolats8179]

Very good review as always Matt! There are so many cars for which I am looking forward for your on and off-road exhaustive reviews (Bronco, Bronco Sport, Maverick, new Jeep GC L, New Grand Wagoneer and much more). I have also one question: What gas do you use for your testing of new cars in your high altitude area? is 87 octane or more, or do you use the 85 octane?

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks again Gio! Normally I don't even have to put gas on them, they get dropped off with a full tank of whatever is recommended by the manufacturer. I know they used to say at higher altitudes you could go lower octane, but I've recently heard never go below what the manufacturer says, even at high altitude.

[@giolats8179]

Yes using 85 octane makes the engine to significantly reduce power in order to avoid severe knocking, even in high altitude. So in case you need to refill the vehicle you review, do you use what the manufacturer recommends for best performance (eg premium gas)?

[@EngineAdventures]

Yes but at higher altitudes you have less air pressure which means it's less likely to ping anyway, which is why we have 85 available here. I use whatever the manufacturer recommends, sometimes it's 87 sometimes 91. Pretty much 91 for all turbo engines.

[@giolats8179]

You have a very professional approach and you deserve much more subscribers and full access to the test fleets. Thank you very much for the information you provide

[@EngineAdventures]

Thank you, I'll get there one day.

[@skytechm07]

2023 Sportage X Line Hopefully you can review this one next year

[@EngineAdventures]

I sure hope I get one as well!

[@zip-tv_]

Just been watching vids with line lockers off road to stop the spinning wheel from spinning. They only use a proportionate amount of brake. But they have had success. They are using it on the front only, which I understand as they have a honda but i see from the roller tests most of these awd’s struggle on a 3 roller at the backk wheel. Might be a new wave of videos for your channel.

[@EngineAdventures]

Interesting, thanks for sharing!

[@josee.n.3465]

Subaru ❤️

[@LJ-zo5hv]

I have a 1.6 gt line fwd I had very good winter tyres never got stuck in snow and ice it makes my laugh the people who’s got awd and dont know how to drive properly awd is not a magic wand 😆

[@EngineAdventures]

AWD can help you go, but it doesn't help you stop any better. Haha lots of people seem to struggle with that concept. For winter driving a good set of tires is the most important, well besides the driver of course.

[@LJ-zo5hv]

Very true sir !

[@alanimals]

Also take your time and choose your path carefully in snow you should be ok.

[@thatoliveguy7389]

Is it any good for sand dunes? I have one but am afraid to take it off road

[@EngineAdventures]

Depends on how soft the sand is. For sand power to weight ratio and footprint are the most important things. Air down and I'm sure you'll be fine on most beaches. I'd be more worried about actual sand dunes.

[@mojizmansoor4565]

I took it to sand dunes and it worked fine with following settings: 1. Disable traction control 2. Put car in normal mode 3. Engage Diff lock It wont disappoint you.

[@king-xerxus7040]

Still don’t understand these tests when it’s more of a tire issue. People who normally take their vehicles off road are going to replace the stock tires with off road tires.

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I don't mention this much in the videos, but these tests are to see how well the vehicle can transfer power to the wheels with traction, not about the tires. On the steep hill climb there are essentially two tires without traction (often one of those is way up in the air, and the diagonal opposite tire will be very lightly loaded). That means it doesn't matter what tires are on the vehicle if it can't transfer power to the tires with good traction. If all 4 tires are spinning at the same time, but the vehicle isn't moving, then I'll blame the tires.

[@king-xerxus7040]

@@EngineAdventures what if you replaced all four tires with ‘off road’ tires and test. I notice most tests in the media don’t test vehicles off road towing the recommended towing weights? Maybe you’ll be the first of its kind. For example; if the towing limit is,let’s say, 2000 to 3000 pounds for all the vehicles, how well will the vehicle tow off road!.

[@EngineAdventures]

@@king-xerxus7040 I think that is a really interesting and fun idea. I may start looking for a small, off-road capable trailer in the future.

[@r.r.hughes9808]

all Terrain tires would help

[@EngineAdventures]

Yes and no. In this test they wouldn't have helped at all. Essentially two tires end up in the air with zero traction. This test is more about the vehicle's ability to transfer power to the wheels with traction than it is about the tires. Yes having the correct tires for the terrain you are on is very important, but in this test I've had vehicles on summer only tires make the climb fairly easily.

[@roylindsey7030]

Car isn't designed for this kind of off road driving. Wrong tires, suspension, and clearance limit this car to slippery roads and state park camping trips. The AWD ability doesn't mean you can take it to Moab.

[@EngineAdventures]

Agreed, yet Kia has taken at least the Sorento, if not others, through Hell's Gate Moab. They also show ads of most of their crossovers in off-road situations.

[@zip-tv_]

Get australian sportage suspension would help, kia australia tunes all there suspension for aust roads. I think they are pedders.

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for sharing!

[@johnniebloom6708]

I think all terrain tire are the best 👌, my 2017 Sportage is so much better withh tires that grip

[@EngineAdventures]

They certainly make a difference!

[@BornAmazing]

What size would you use? I’m trying to find info on best A/T tire size for a 2021 Sportage with 17” rims. So far 265/65 was too large.

[@johnniebloom6708]

Agreed!, I put on mud & snow tires HUGS difference, I can you add better tires on next adventure

[@RincheySonam]

​@@BornAmazing225/60, or the same size that came with the car i guess. Going bigger or smaller messes with the accuracy of the speedometer and odometer.

[@naveedburki9004]

compare it with other SUV

[@EngineAdventures]

Check out my channel, I've taken many many vehicles over this same course.

[@abubakarmunir3463]

Is this off road . Actually its our normal road tes🤣🤣

[@EngineAdventures]

Haha, yeah here in the US our roads are in pretty good condition relative to other countries. Where are you from?

[@TerriMaglott]

Way to sell a Kia 😂

[@EngineAdventures]

Haha, I have no issue with Kias. They are quite nice and overall great to drive. I guess I take issue with their advertising. They like to show their crossovers going through mud and other off-road situations.

[@TerriMaglott]

Can they?

[@EngineAdventures]

@TerriMaglott slightly, I'm guessing the marketing team needed recovery more than once during their filming.

[@TerriMaglott]

@@EngineAdventures 😂😂

[@zayghamnawaz8878]

Useless in all modes

[@EngineAdventures]

I think it did pretty well for what it is. It has better angles for off-pavement travel than most vehicles in this class.

[@zayghamnawaz8878]

@@EngineAdventures i was referring to the capability of TC and lock modes. Very weak even in fairly simple situation.

[@EngineAdventures]

Yeah, what I meant to say when I said "it did pretty well for what it is" is that it is on par with other vehicles in this class. The Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is really the only standout for this class.