2022 Kia Sportage Review – A Deep Dive into the Compact SUV That Refused to Fade

Blog Oct 07th, 2025

By 2022, the Kia Sportage was nearing the end of its fourth generation, yet it remained one of the most balanced compact SUVs on the market. While rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V dominated headlines, the Sportage carved its niche with sharp styling, strong reliability, a surprisingly spirited turbo option, and Kia’s unmatched warranty coverage.

For many buyers in Ottawa, the 2022 Kia Sportage represented the perfect mix of affordability and practicality without compromising on comfort or tech. But what exactly made this SUV stand out in its final year before the redesign? Let’s take a deep, gear-by-gear look.

Powertrain Options & Performance

The 2022 Sportage gave buyers two engine choices, appealing to both practical commuters and drivers who wanted something with punch.

2.4-litre Inline-4

Horsepower: 181 hp
Torque: 175 lb-ft
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Standard FWD, optional AWD

This engine was the workhorse for most trims. While not flashy, it delivered smooth power for daily driving. Around Ottawa, it had enough pep for merging onto the 417, while still offering respectable efficiency.

2.0-litre Turbocharged Inline-4 (SX Turbo)

Horsepower: 237 hp
Torque: 260 lb-ft
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drivetrain: AWD standard

The SX Turbo was a different animal. With nearly 260 lb-ft of torque, the Sportage suddenly became one of the fastest compact SUVs in its segment. Overtaking on rural highways, towing small trailers, or just enjoying a spirited drive — the turbo transformed the Sportage into a sleeper.

Fuel Efficiency

Efficiency varied depending on engine and drivetrain:

2.4L FWD: ~10.0 L/100 km city, 7.9 highway
2.4L AWD: ~10.8 city, 8.5 highway
2.0T AWD: ~11.9 city, 9.1 highway

The naturally aspirated engine was competitive with the CR-V and Tucson, while the turbo sacrificed a bit of efficiency for big gains in performance.

Ride, Handling & Drive Quality

The 2022 Kia Sportage wasn’t tuned to be a canyon carver, but it struck an excellent balance:

Suspension: Soft enough to absorb Ottawa’s potholes and winter ruts, yet firm enough for stability on the highway.
Steering: Light, predictable, and easy to maneuver in tight city streets.
AWD System: Confident in snow and rain, distributing torque quickly to the rear wheels when needed.

The SX Turbo added 19-inch wheels and a slightly firmer suspension, giving it a more athletic stance and sharper handling than the base trims.

Canadian Trims Breakdown

Kia offered a well-structured trim lineup in Canada:

LX FWD / LX AWD – The entry point, with cloth seats, heated front seats, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 8-inch display.
EX S – Sportier touches with larger wheels, heated steering wheel, and advanced safety features.
EX Premium S – Leather seating, panoramic sunroof, smart power liftgate, and additional driver-assist tech.
SX Turbo – The flagship trim, featuring the 2.0L turbo, sport styling, 19-inch wheels, ventilated seats, and Harman Kardon premium audio.

This range allowed buyers to move from budget-friendly practicality all the way to near-luxury without leaving the Sportage lineup.

Interior Design & Comfort

The cabin was one of the 2022 Sportage’s strongest points.

Materials: Higher trims featured leather seating, soft-touch panels, and solid build quality.
Comfort: Heated seats came standard in Canada, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available.
Space: Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, while the cargo area provided 868 litres, expandable to 1,703 litres with the seats down.
Tech:
- 8-inch touchscreen (standard)
- Navigation on higher trims
- Wireless charging pad
- Harman Kardon 320W audio system (SX Turbo)
Practicality: Wide-opening rear doors and split-folding seats made it family-friendly.

For Ottawa winters, features like the heated steering wheel and remote start were daily luxuries.

Safety Technology

Kia didn’t cut corners in safety. The Drive Wise suite included:

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
Lane Keep Assist
Blind-Spot Detection
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Adaptive cruise control (SX Turbo)
Parking sensors + rearview camera

The 2022 Sportage earned strong crash-test scores and offered confidence on slippery Canadian roads, especially with AWD equipped.

How It Stacked Against Rivals

By 2022, the segment was stacked with competitors like Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, and Ford Escape.

Value: Sportage offered more standard features for less money.
Performance: SX Turbo beat most rivals in acceleration.
Warranty: Kia’s 5-year/100,000 km warranty outshined Toyota and Honda.
Interior: Comparable to Mazda CX-5 in quality, with more tech than Ford Escape.
Cargo Space: Slightly smaller than CR-V and RAV4, but still highly practical.

Pricing in Canada (2022)

At launch, Canadian pricing was:

LX FWD: $25,795 CAD
EX Premium S AWD: Around $34,495 CAD
SX Turbo AWD: $39,495 CAD

On today’s used market, 2022 Sportage models typically sell for $25,000–$34,000 CAD depending on trim and mileage, making them an excellent used-SUV choice in Ottawa.

Reliability & Maintenance

The 2022 Sportage had a strong reliability record:

The 2.4L engine is low-stress and long-lasting with regular oil changes.
The 2.0T requires more attentive maintenance (turbo components), but rewards with big performance.
Kia’s warranty covers 5 years / 100,000 km, still protecting many 2022 Sportages on the road today.

Ownership Experience in Canada

Driving in Ottawa means facing icy winters, slushy springs, and humid summers. The Sportage’s AWD system, heated seats, and durable build made it particularly well-suited to Canadian conditions. Owners often praised:

The quick warm-up of the cabin in winter.
AWD stability in snowstorms.
Tech features (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto) that made daily commuting seamless.

Final Verdict: Why the 2022 Sportage Still Matters

The 2022 Kia Sportage may have been the last of its generation, but it wasn’t outdated. It delivered:

Reliable performance from its 2.4L engine.
Exciting speed from the SX Turbo.
Comfort and safety features tailored for Canadian buyers.
Excellent warranty coverage for peace of mind.

For buyers in Ottawa today, the 2022 Sportage remains a smart used SUV purchase — offering premium features at a fraction of the cost of new models.

👉 Check availability now at Orléans Kia, where you’ll find a selection of Kia SUVs ready for your driveway.

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