2012 Kia Sportage vs. 2012 Kia Sorento
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2012 Kia Sportage and 2012 Kia Sorento contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2012 Kia Sportage and the 2012 Kia Sorento.
When we compare the 2012 Kia Sportage's and the 2012 Kia Sorento's specifications and ratings, the 2012 Kia Sportage has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. The 2012 Kia Sorento has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the 2012 Kia Sportage's and the 2012 Kia Sorento's specifications and ratings, the 2012 Kia Sportage is a better car than the 2012 Kia Sorento.
Pricing: A used 2012 Kia Sportage ranges from $4,503 to $12,889 while a used 2012 Kia Sorento is priced between $4,200 to $11,989.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2012 Kia Sportage loses 47.1 percent of its value and the 2012 Kia Sorento loses 52.3 percent of its value. This means the 2012 Kia Sportage retains 5.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2012 Kia Sorento.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Sportage is 8.2 out of 10 while the Kia Sorento's quality rating is 7.8 out of 10. This results in the Kia Sportage being ranked 12 out of 67 Best Crossover SUVs and the Kia Sorento being ranked 22 out of 67.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Kia Sportage is 7.5 out of 10. For the Kia Sorento the reliability rating is 7.3 out of 10. This gives the Kia Sportage a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Kia Sorento.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2012 Kia Sportage’s base engine makes 176 horsepower, and the 2012 Kia Sorento base engine makes 175 horsepower. The Sportage is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 392 miles. The Sorento is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 486 miles.This gives the 2012 Kia Sportage the advantage in fuel efficiency and the 2012 Kia Sorento the advantage in maximum range. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The 2012 Kia Sorento, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room and rear shoulder room. The 2012 Kia Sportage, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front leg room, rear leg room and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the 2012 Kia Sportage has higher safety ratings than the 2012 Kia Sorento, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.51 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
18500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
22664
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
18500 - 26115
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
21250
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
27219
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
18995 - 32835
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
8179
Price Range:
4503 - 12889
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
9420
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
7043 - 23632
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
55
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
128794
# Good or Great Deals:
22
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
7632
Price Range:
4200 - 11989
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
10014
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
6772 - 17705
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
124
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
146211
# Good or Great Deals:
54
Kia Sportage Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Kia Sorento Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.8 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
8.5 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2012 Kia Sportage
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2012 Kia Sorento
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.906030755600205
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.6 - 20.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.038175412204524
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
4.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.4 - 13.4
Kia Sportage Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 18Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 7Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 9Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 20Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 18Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
18 out of / 67Ranking
18 out of / 56Ranking
18 out of / 56Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
25 out of / 67Ranking
25 out of / 67Ranking
34 out of / 67Ranking
34 out of / 67Ranking
45 out of / 67Ranking
45 out of / 67Ranking
47 out of / 67Kia Sorento Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 32Ranking
1 out of / 28Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 34Ranking
3 out of / 30Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 30Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
11 out of / 34Ranking
12 out of / 34Ranking
12 out of / 34Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
14 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 32Ranking
17 out of / 32Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
19 out of / 32Ranking
19 out of / 32Ranking
20 out of / 67Ranking
20 out of / 34Ranking
21 out of / 32Ranking
22 out of / 67Ranking
22 out of / 67Ranking
22 out of / 34Ranking
22 out of / 32Ranking
23 out of / 67Ranking
23 out of / 34Ranking
23 out of / 34Ranking
24 out of / 34Ranking
24 out of / 32Ranking
25 out of / 67Ranking
25 out of / 34Ranking
25 out of / 32Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 56Ranking
28 out of / 67Ranking
29 out of / 67Ranking
29 out of / 34Ranking
30 out of / 34Ranking
32 out of / 56Ranking
35 out of / 67Ranking
60 out of / 67Summary Review
The Kia Sportage is a compact sport utility vehicle and a mainstay of Kia’s model line, going through several generations prior to the current Sportage, which debuted in 2017. The Sportage is known for its sharp looks, feature-packed interior, and low cost of entry, with new models costing an average of $28,105 and 3-year-old models averaging $20,380.
Summary Review
Kia’s Sorento is a two- or three-row crossover SUV on sale since 2015 in its outgoing generation. It is built in West Point, Georgia. All-new for 2021, shoppers in the midsize SUV segment should give the Sorento a fresh look.
Pros and Cons
- Smooth ride quality with a quiet interior
- Spacious seating front and rear
- Smart instrumentation and control layout
- Smaller cargo capacity than many rivals
- Acceleration can be sluggish
- Fuel economy adequate at best
Pros and Cons
- Available in past years with two or three rows of seats
- High safety scores
- 2020 and older models showing their age
- Smaller than many midsize vehicles in this segment
- Past models had low reliability scores
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2012 Kia Sportage Trim Levels
Base, EX, LX, SX
2012 Kia Sorento Trim Levels
Base, EX, LX, SX
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.51 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
176 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
168 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.056 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
175 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
169 foot-lbs @ 3750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.049 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
1650 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 27 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
290 / 392 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 27 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
360 / 486 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
26.1 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
54.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
126.1 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.7 inches
Cargo Space:
9.1 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
72.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
151.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3157 lbs
Width:
73 inches
Height:
64.4 inches
Length:
175 inches
Wheelbase:
104 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3605 lbs
Width:
74.2 inches
Height:
67.3 inches
Length:
183.9 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.2 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/70R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
Not yet available
Wheel Type:
Not yet available
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Cherry
Silver
Bright Silver / Mineral SIlver
Exterior Colors
Black
Ebony Black
Silver
Bright Silver
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Gray
