Kia Sportage GT-Line S DCT Review: Can Updated Tech Keep the UK's Best-Selling SUV on Top?
The Kia Sportage has now reached its fifth generation with a mid-life update. Available from around £31,000 to £44,000, it offers hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or petrol turbo power options across three trim levels. This review examines the top-level petrol offering: the front-wheel-drive GT-Line S with dual-clutch transmission priced just over £40,000.
The updated model features refreshed exterior styling, improved interior materials, and enhanced technology including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all models. This review is based on first-hand driving impressions from professional racing driver and motoring presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson.
Vicki Butler-Henderson is a professional racing driver and established motoring presenter with extensive experience testing and evaluating vehicles across all segments. Her background in competitive motorsport and years of automotive journalism provide the technical knowledge and real-world driving experience that inform this review.
What Is the Kia Sportage?
The Kia Sportage first went on sale in 1993 and has become the company's most popular model worldwide. The fifth-generation model is receiving a mild mid-life update that brings styling refinements and technology improvements while maintaining the practical formula that has made it successful.
The Sportage competes in the highly crowded family SUV segment, offering buyers a choice of powertrains and drive configurations to suit different needs and budgets.
What's New with This Update?
The mid-life refresh brings several visual and technological updates:Exterior Changes:
• New front bumper design
• Stacked LED headlights
• Kia's distinctive 'star map' pattern in daytime running lights
• Larger front grille creating family design consistency with models like the EV3
• Revised side cladding beneath the doors
• Redesigned rear bumper and skid plate for a wider appearance
• Star map pattern integrated into rear lights
• Black trim detailing replacing previous silver finishes
• New two-spoke steering wheel with buttons and roller switches
• Centre console finish changed from glossy black to brushed effect for more upmarket appearance
• Squared-off corners on the infotainment screen
• Larger drivers display screen on higher specification models
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now standard across all models
• Internet access and streaming services available with certain packages
• Improved head-up display in hybrid models
• ChatGPT integration for voice interaction
How Practical Is It?
The Sportage delivers strong practicality credentials that help explain its popularity with families:
Boot Space:
• 591 to 1,780 litres of cargo capacity (slightly larger than hybrid variants)
• Dual-floor system providing hidden storage or additional height for tall items
• Three rear seats fold independently for flexible luggage and passenger combinations
• Quick-folding mechanism operated via pull flap
• 12V power socket in boot area
Rear Passenger Space:
• Ample room for three children
• Reclining rear seats for passenger comfort
• Heated outer seats on top-specification models
• Screen holders on front seatbacks (though partially blocked for middle passenger)
• Additional small bag hooks
• Hard plastics on door panels represent a compromise at the £40,000 price point
What Powers This Version?
The GT-Line S DCT tested here uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine without hybrid assistance, producing almost 150 horsepower and 250 Newton-metres of torque.
Performance Figures:
• 0-62 mph: 9.4 seconds
• Top speed: 119 mph
Source: KIA Sportage Technical Data Page
Vicki tells us that from a driver's perspective, the power delivery feels leisurely rather than sporty, despite the "Sport" element in the Sportage name. The acceleration provides adequate performance for family duties like school runs and motorway cruising, but this is not a performance-focused offering.
Manual or Automatic?
A six-speed manual gearbox is available with this engine, which offers welcome driver involvement for those who prefer traditional control. However, the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission tested here will likely appeal to most family buyers seeking hassle-free operation.
The dual-clutch gearbox can be controlled via steering-mounted paddle shifters for additional driver engagement when desired. The rotary gear selector feels good and grippy to use in everyday driving.
How Does It Drive?
The Kia Sportage GT-Line S delivers what can be described as varying degrees of pleasant driving characteristics as you scroll through Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes.
Handling and Dynamics:
The front-wheel-drive configuration provides predictable, safe handling suitable for family transport duties. For buyers seeking more overall engagement and driver involvement from their family SUV, alternatives like the Ford Kuga offer a more dynamic experience behind the wheel.
Suspension and Steering:
The suspension and steering have received no changes in this update because, from a driver's perspective, there is very little wrong with either system. The steering wheel is a good size, though the flat edges might divide opinion. The ride quality deserves particular mention as it feels comfortable in a “wafty” manner that suits the car's family-focused mission.
Wheel and Tyre Options:
Three alloy wheel designs are available in 17, 18, and 19-inch sizes. The GT-Line S tested rides on 18-inch wheels fitted with Continental EcoContact 6 tyres.
The Continental EcoContact 6 has achieved a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from thousands of drivers on DriverReviews.
How Does It Compare to Rivals?
The Sportage operates in an extremely crowded market segment where it cannot rely solely on being practical and comfortable, which it very much is.
Alternatives like the Ford Kuga prioritize driver engagement and dynamic handling characteristics. The Sportage instead focuses on delivering comfort, practicality, and technology in a package that serves family needs effectively.
What helps the Sportage stand out in this competitive landscape is Kia's market-leading seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty, which provides exceptional peace of mind for buyers and represents genuine added value over many competitors.
KIA Sportage FAQs
What is the Kia Sportage GT-Line S DCT and how much does it cost?
The GT-Line S DCT is the top petrol variant of Kia's fifth-generation Sportage, featuring a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Priced just over £40,000, it's a front-wheel-drive family SUV positioned at the premium end of the Sportage range.
What's new in the Sportage mid-life refresh?
Key updates include stacked LED headlights with Kia's 'star map' daytime running lights, a larger front grille, and redesigned bumpers. Inside, there's a new two-spoke steering wheel and brushed-effect console finish. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard across all models, with ChatGPT integration available for voice interaction.
How practical is the Sportage for families?
Very practical. Boot space ranges from 591 to 1,780 litres with a dual-floor storage system. Three rear seats fold independently via a quick-release mechanism. Rear passengers get ample space, reclining seats, and heated outer seats on top-spec models. The boot includes a 12V socket and bag hooks.
What performance does the Sportage's 1.6-litre petrol engine offer?The engine produces almost 150 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque, reaching 0-62 mph in 9.4 seconds with a 119 mph top speed. Professional racing driver Vicki Butler-Henderson describes the power delivery as leisurely rather than sporty—adequate for family duties but not performance-focused.
What warranty does Kia offer with the Sportage?
Kia provides a market-leading seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty—exceptional in this segment and offering significant peace of mind compared to most competitors.
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Source: DriverReviews