“I like my 2020 Kia Sportage. I live in the Central Sierra foothills and I have All wheel drive so it does good in the snow lots of room inside even in the back seat. Had one once before and I enjoyed it to. Never had problems.”
2020 Kia Sportage: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2020 Kia Sportage’s biggest change is a mid-cycle refresh, not a full redesign. It brings updated styling and broader standard touchscreen and driver-assist technology, while a new S trim joins the lineup.
About the 2020 Kia Sportage
4th generation (2017-2022), mid-cycle refresh year
Kia positions the Sportage as a smaller two-row SUV for people who want bold styling, useful everyday space, and available all-weather traction without moving up to a larger SUV. The model’s core appeal is value through design and equipment: it aims to feel more distinctive and feature-rich than many mainstream compact SUVs, while still being easy to drive, easy to park, and comfortable for daily commuting or small-family use.
The LX is the straightforward version, with a 2.4-liter engine, an 8-inch touchscreen, and the expanded standard safety suite. The new S adds a sportier look, while the EX focuses on comfort with heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a hands-free power tailgate. The SX Turbo pairs a stronger turbocharged engine with navigation, upgraded audio, and heated and ventilated leather front seats.
What changed, by category
Styling
Kia revised the front and rear appearance, introduced new wheel designs, redesigned the steering wheel, and updated the air-vent trim. The SX Turbo also gained new LED headlights and fog lights.
Trim lineup
The S trim joined the range between LX and EX, adding dark exterior details, 18-inch wheels, a flat-bottom steering wheel, paddle shifters, and synthetic leather seating.
Safety
Forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, and automatic high beams became standard across the lineup. The SX Turbo also gained standard adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability.
Tech and convenience
Every trim moved to an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SX Turbo gained a wireless charging pad, and the EX gained a standard hands-free power tailgate; satellite radio and leather seating on the EX shifted from standard to optional.
2020 Kia Sportage specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 20 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 30 mpg | 30 mpg | 30 mpg | 28 mpg |
| Horsepower | 181 hp | 181 hp | 181 hp | 237 hp |
| Torque | 175 lb-ft | 175 lb-ft | 175 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 2000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 60.1 cu-ft | 60.1 cu-ft | 60.1 cu-ft | 60.1 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 38.2 in | 38.2 in | 38.2 in | 38.2 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Park Assist | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Fog Lights | ||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||
| LED Headlights | ||||
| LED Tail Lights | ||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||
| Roof Rails | ||||
| LCD Instrument Cluster | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Subwoofer | ||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Kia Sportage a full redesign?
No. The 2020 Sportage is a mid-cycle refresh of the fourth-generation model, with updated styling, technology, safety equipment, and trim choices rather than an all-new design.
What safety features became standard on every 2020 Kia Sportage?
Every 2020 Sportage gained standard forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, and automatic high beams.
What is new about the 2020 Kia Sportage S trim?
The S is a new sport-styled middle trim for 2020. It sits between LX and EX and adds dark exterior accents, 18-inch wheels, a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, synthetic leather seats, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning.
What does the 2020 Kia Sportage add over the 2019 model?
The 2020 model adds refreshed styling, an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on every trim, broader standard driver-assist features, and the new S trim. It is the more meaningfully updated choice if those features matter to you.
Which 2020 Kia Sportage trim has the turbocharged engine?
The 2020 Sportage SX Turbo has the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It also includes sport-tuned suspension, LED lighting, navigation, upgraded Harman Kardon audio, and heated and ventilated front seats.
2020 Kia Sportage Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2020 Kia Sportage.
4.0
2020 Kia Sportage
(203 reviews)
“The sunroof turns the vehicle into something else. I feel better with the window above my head when driving. The vehicle feels roomy and all the technology at my disposal is a must. The EX with technology package is the only way to go.”
“This SUV is to small for our needs. If you want to haul many grocery items no good.”