Kia Sportage NQ5 (2021–present)

How the NQ5 differs from the QL

Compared with the outgoing QL, the European NQ5 is slightly larger in every direction but gives back a lot more room inside. Kia's own figures put it 30 mm longer, 10 mm wider, 10 mm taller and 10 mm longer in the wheelbase, while rear legroom reached 996 mm and boot space rose from 503 L to as much as 591 L.

The bigger shift is in the drivetrains. The QL had added a 48 V mild-hybrid diesel only at its 2018 facelift; the NQ5 arrived with mild-hybrid petrol and diesel engines, a full hybrid and, from 2022, a plug-in hybrid. The car sits on the Hyundai-Kia N3 platform, which it shares with the current Hyundai Tucson.

For the first time the Sportage also comes in two clearly different shapes. Most markets get a long-wheelbase body with its own rear and side styling, while Europe gets a more compact short-wheelbase version. The overview of every Sportage generation sets the NQ5 against the four cars that came before it.

Exterior styling and the dual-screen cabin

Kia's press material ties the NQ5 to its "Opposites United" design language, and the front end is the most obvious result. A black, full-width tiger-nose grille is framed by boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights, and Matrix LED headlights are available. The tailgate slopes steeply, and slim rear lamps are linked by a light bar.

GT-Line models add a contrasting black roof, bolder paint colours and a black-and-white interior. Wheels range from 17 to 19 inches, with six alloy designs at launch.

Inside, a curved panoramic display joins two 12.3-inch screens: a touchscreen for infotainment and a fully digital instrument cluster. Kia planned over-the-air software and map updates, and the equipment list included a 15 W wireless phone charger and a Harman/Kardon sound system. The rear bench folds 40:20:40, taking the boot to 1,780 L.

Electronically controlled suspension adjusts damping in real time on some versions. All-wheel-drive cars get a Terrain Mode with Snow, Mud and Sand settings, alongside the Comfort, Eco and Sport driving modes.

NQ5 engines: mild, full and plug-in hybrid

Every European NQ5 uses a 1.6-litre engine, either the T-GDI turbo petrol or the CRDi diesel. Outputs below come from the September 2021 European press kit; torque figures are from published spec data and are quoted as a guide.

The plug-in hybrid can run on electricity alone, and its petrol engine is the 132 kW (180 PS) version of the 1.6 T-GDI. In Germany the full hybrid reached showrooms only in June 2022, and the weaker diesel was never sold there. Engines were revised in spring 2024 to meet the Euro 6e emissions standard.

Outside Europe the range is wider: a 2.0 MPi petrol, a 2.5 GDi, a 2.0 T-GDi, a 2.0 CRDi diesel with 186 PS and a 2.0 LPi for LPG all appear in various markets. The all-wheel-drive system is electronically controlled and splits torque between the axles as grip changes.

If you mainly want a hybrid Kia, the smaller Kia Niro is sold only with electrified drivetrains, and our hybrid cars section lists other options.

Dimensions: European short body vs long wheelbase

The table gives the European short-wheelbase NQ5. Boot volume varies with the drivetrain, as the hybrid batteries take some space.

US and Canadian cars use the long body and were first shown in October 2021 as 2023 models; for North America the NQ5 is built in Georgia, in the United States.

Euro NCAP 2022 and IIHS results

Euro NCAP gave the NQ5 five stars in July 2022 after testing a left-hand-drive 1.6 T-GDI HEV with all-wheel drive. The car scored 87% for adult occupants, 86% for children, 66% for vulnerable road users and 72% for safety assist.

The detail shows where points were lost. In the adult section the car took 13.6 of 16 points in the frontal tests and 14.6 of 16 in the side tests, while the autonomous emergency braking system earned only 2.9 of 6 points in the car-to-car scenarios. Kia fits seven airbags, including a centre airbag between the front seats, and the Euro NCAP equipment list also names an active bonnet and a multi-collision brake.

In the United States the 2023 Sportage was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, but only in SX Prestige and X-Pro Prestige trims with LED projector headlights. Several crash ratings were carried over from tests of the related 2022 Tucson. The IIHS updated vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention test later rated the standard system Marginal for 2023–2025 models.

The 2024 facelift (2026 model year)

Kia revealed the facelifted Sportage on 5 November 2024. The boomerang headlights gave way to a new front fascia and lamps, and the bumper, LED tail-light graphics, colours and wheels were all revised.

The cabin gained a two-spoke steering wheel, a curved digital cockpit with the 12.3-inch touchscreen and new air vents. Under the skin, Kia improved front-axle damping and added sound insulation. The most practical change for buyers is the gearbox: on the 1.6 T-GDI, the seven-speed dual-clutch unit was replaced by an eight-speed automatic.

Sales show why Kia kept the formula: published sales tables list 221,917 NQ5s sold in Europe in 2024 and 587,717 worldwide.

Early ownership record and warranty

The NQ5 is too young for long-term inspection data. The best early signal is the UK Driver Power owner survey of 2023, as reported by Carbuyer in March 2024: the Sportage finished 19th of 75 cars, and owners praised the interior, practicality and infotainment. Some 25% of owners reported a fault in the first year.

In Europe the car is covered by Kia's 7-year / 150,000 km warranty, which passes to the next owner when the service schedule has been followed. On a used NQ5, ask for proof of every dealer service and check which software updates have been applied.